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SUMMER STAYCATION
from 6.29.23 PLCO
Celebrate the Nation’s Independence All Weekend Long At Local Events
8TH ANNUAL ZEPHYRHILLS SUMMERFEST AND FIREWORKS, ZEPHYR PARK net.
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Saturday, July 1, 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.
CLEARWATER CELEBRATES AMERICA, COACHMAN PARK
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, setting 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. While America’s largest cities are preparing to celebrate our country’s independence (New York City’s two-hour fieworks spectacular costs millions of dollars and draws more than three million visitors a year), you don’t have to travel far to watch a breathtaking fieworks extravaganza that will awe and inspire spectators of all ages.
In fact, you don’t have to travel out of town to celebrate the holiday. Plant City’s 17th Annual July 4th Celebration, will be held on July 4 at the Plant City Stadium (see details below).
“There’s no need to leave when you can experience the meaning of ‘preserving the past and embracing the future’ right here in Plant City,” said Special Events Coordinator Ivanna Ibarra. “The July 4th celebration is an event that our citizens have come to look forward to every year since 2002.”
Even though Independence Day falls on a Tuesday this year, many local cities and towns are hosting their own hometown celebrations beginning July 1 and lasting until July 4 so there’ll be plenty of patriotism and pyrotechnics to entertain even the most die-hard patriots.
4TH OF JULY AT BUSCH GARDENS
TAMPA BAY, 10165 N. MCKINLEY DR.
Friday, June 30 - Tuesday, July 4
Celebrate Independence Day at Busch Gardens during fie days of festivities, complete with an evening fieworks show at 9:30 p.m., featuring a perfectly-choreographed arrangement of music, lights, fie and dancing fountains. The event is included with park admission.
Not satisfied with jut a fieworks show? Enjoy a day of food, fun and fieworks at the 8th Annual Zephyrhills Summerfest and Fireworks festival. This free event features a live DJ, a kids zone with bounce houses, a petting zoo, pony rides, contests and raffles and more. A vendor market will also feature handmade goodies and treats. A 30-minute pyrotechnics display will light up the night sky to cap off the vent.
TAMPA’S BOOM BY THE BAY 2023, JULIAN B. LANE RIVERFRONT PARK
Saturday, July 1 at 4 p.m.
The City of Tampa event has activities for the whole family to enjoy, including a pickle ball tournament, live entertainment, kids games, food trucks, an Apple Pie Bake Off and a fireworks display. Admission is free and even four-legged family members are welcome to attend. Text BOOM to 888777 to receive special notifiations about Boom by the Bay.
Tuesday, July 4, 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Clearwater’s free daylong celebration begins with a fitnss class at Baywalk Promenade at 8 a.m. followed by a classic car show featuring vintage cars and trucks, an outdoor vendor market with a DJ and children’s activities, food trucks, plenty of entertainment and a Coast Guard demonstration. End the evening with a fieworks display at 9:30 p.m.
THE FOURTH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION AT THE ST. PETE PIER, 600 2ND AVE., N.E.
Tuesday, July 4, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
STAR-SPANGLED SPARKMAN WHARF, 615 CHANNELSIDE DR.
Tuesday, July 4, 4 p.m.
This family-friendly entertainment complex will feature a DJ, roaming entertainment, a water ski show, food and beverages. Enjoy a waterfront view of the fieworks show at 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public but the venue will be limiting capacity so guests are encouraged to arrive early.
17TH ANNUAL JULY 4TH CELEBRATION, PLANT CITY STADIUM, 1810 EAST PARK RD.
Tuesday, July 4, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
RED,
WHITE + KABOOM INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION, LAKE MIRROR
Monday, July 3, 6 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
Join the crowd of folks celebrating the nation’s independence at Lake Mirror with entertainment by the soulful sounds of Andrew Luv & the Franchise Players before being wowed with a fieworks display at 9 p.m. Food trucks will will be set up around the lake. This event serves double-duty as a food drive for Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) so organizers are asking attendees to bring at least one nonperishable food item.
Got a patriotic outfit? Shae your flair because there will be prizes for the family, adult and child that celebrates the event in their most patriotic attire.
For more information, visit lakeland.gov.
The third annual event is chock full of fun activities for all ages, including a St. Pete Pier Run, Craft Beer Garden, bustling marketplace of local artisans and food vendors (the smells of barbecue and kettle corn will fill the ai), a family fun zone, live music, roaming entertainers and more. A fieworks show will light the night sky at 9 p.m. Tickets are needed for some activities. The grand opening of Coachman Park is really a week-long celebration that begins June 28. For more information visit thefourthstpete.com.
THE HEIGHTS DISTRICT FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT ARMATURE WORKS, 1910 N. OLA AVE.
Tuesday, July 4, 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Enjoy a fourth of July celebration while supporting K9s for Warriors, the nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD. Festivities include a riverfront concert, fieworks display, boat parade, a hot dog eating competition and kids zone. VIP tickets are available. For more information visit armatureworks.com.
This annual family-friendly event is a collaborative effort between the City of Plant City and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. From inflaables to face painting, balloon artist to live entertainment by the Double Barrel Band, there’ll be plenty of activities to entertain the young and the young-at-heart. A variety of food and beverage vendors will be selling their tasty treats, including Smitty’s hand-dipped buttermilk corndogs, Umami Smoke, Boss Lady Southern Eats, Taco Madre, Big Baby Bites, Mad Mango, T & D Aloha shaved ice, Corn goons, Piggy Palace and Citi Ice. The grand final, $20,000 worth of Zambelli fieworks, will fill the sy starting at 9:15 p.m. No coolers or any glass or open containers of any beverages, including alcoholic beverages, are allowed in the stadium. Bags and backpacks are subject to search at the entrance. Admission to the event is free; parking costs $5 per car (parking lot gates open at 5:30 p.m.). In the event of a rainout, the fieworks-only event will be moved to Wednesday, July 5 with the gates opening at 8 p.m.
COMMUNITY RALLIES BEHIND 13-YEAR-OLD DIAGNOSED WITH RARE CANCER
who was diagnosed with central nervous system (CNS) sarcoma in May.
Lisa Taylor, event manager at Big Red Barn Events who organized the event in conjunction with the AlexStrong Foundation, said it was their largest event ever. “Avery’s uncle lives within a mile of us and when I saw on Facebook what they were going through me and my mom decided we needed to do something to try to bring something positive and help the family,” she said.
Taylor reached out to Lori Sumner, founder of the AlexStrong Foundation, whom she had met when Sumner’s son was battling cancer several years ago. “Laurie had a vacation planned the only weekend we could have it but cancelled her plans,” she said.
Local businesses, organizations and individuals rallied together, generously contributing items for the silent auction and raffl Hundreds of baskets overflwing with goodies, Yeti coolers, signed footballs, sports jerseys, hockey tickets, jewelry and concert tickets arrived at the barn up until the day of the event. A 24’ x 24’ pole barn, a processed steer and customized utility trailer were also among the list of donated items.
“It took a lot of planning but it was really easy because so many people came together and offered their helping hands, it was more than we could have ever imaged,” said Taylor. “This experience made me love my community even more and I’m proud to call Plant City home.” all of the tumor but she’ll need to undergo radiation and chemotherapy and he expects her to be in Tennessee until the end of 2024.
He’s been blown away by the community’s support.
“This situation has been a nightmare but made manageable through the efforts of family, friends and many people that I’ve never even met,” he said. “This is going to be a several year journey and I’m thankful that everyone has rallied around Avery like this.”
It’s heartwarming when a community comes together to support a family dealing with a difficult situatio More than 1,500 Plant City residents came together last weekend at the Big Red Barn to hold a remarkable fundraiser. The event not only showcased the community’s strong spirit but raised an impressive sum of money through a silent auction and raffl for the family of 13-year-old Avery Fales,
With the event less than four weeks away, Sumner created a flyer about the fundraiser and posted it on Facebook. Staples printed 500 copies of the flyer at no charge and they started taking them to local businesses. That’s when the magic started happening.
“Once word got out, Plant City came together and just showed up,” said Taylor. “It was such a huge success.”
She’s quick to point out that the event was a small deed when compared to the battle Avery’s family is waging against the cancer. “Their battle is much bigger really,” she said.
Avery has had three brain surgeries since her diagnosis on May 24. She’s receiving treatment in Memphis at St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Her dad, Jamey Fales, said doctors are confident thy removed
Avery’s mom, Tamara Nash Jemison, said that family and community support they’ve received while they’re living this frightening nightmare has been a humbling experience. “She’s seen all the texts, calls, Facebook posts, care packages and people driving here to sit and pray with us, it just leaves us speechless,” she said. “It’s very heartwarming to know that so many people are loving on our little girl right now, we’re just so blessed.”
JUNE 16
HOLDING NO PUNCHES
2600 block of Thonotosassa Rd.
Battery waiver: An officer met with two individuals who stated that they go into a verbal altercation over a knife. During the verbal altercation, it became physical with both individuals striking each other. Both individuals subsequently signed a waiver of prosecution and left in opposite directions.
A SHOT IN THE DARK
W Ball St. / Thomas St.
Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon: An officer responded to a residence at the listed location in reference to a delayed shooting complaint.
JUNE 17
CAUGHT RED-HANDED
2700 block of Thonotosassa Rd.
Felony petit theft / possession of synthetic cannabinoids: An officer responded to a business at the listed location and arrested one individual for possession of a controlled sub- stance and felony petit theft. The individual was subsequently transported to Orient Road Jail without incident.
JUNE 18
ON TOP OF IT
200 block of W Alexander St. Grand theft / waiver: An officer met with the manager of a business at the listed location who advised that one of the businesses car toppers was stolen. The topper was later recovered and a waiver of prosecution was signed.
JUNE 19
SHOPPING CART
200 block of E Terrace Dr. Stolen golf cart: An officer responded to the listed location and met with an employee who reported that a golf cart had been stolen.
HOME RENOVATION
1400 block of E Warren St. Theft: An officer met with a victim at the listed location who advised that their three-piece patio furniture set was stolen from their front patio.
JUNE 20
WINDOW PAINS
2200 block of Village Park Rd.
Criminal mischief: An officer responded to the listed location and made contact with the victim who reported that the front passenger side window of their Jeep was damaged the night before.
HOT STOVE
3300 block of Crescent Peak Way
Grand theft: An officer met with the victim at the listed location who reported two Whirlpool microwave ovens, valued at $535, were stolen from two unsecured homes under construction.
BYE-CYCLE
2000 block of S Frontage Rd. Petit theft: An officer responded to a business at the list location and met with the victim who had his bicycle stolen.
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