Break out the red, white and blue — Plant City’s Fourth of July Celebration is around the corner.
On Monday, July 4, thousands will gather at Plant City Stadium for the annual Fourth of July Celebration. There will be food, fireworks and a whole lot of fun.
“It first started in 2002,” Tim Hanlon, the assistant program manager with the City of Plant City’s Recreation and Parks department, said. “It was annual through 2007. After the recession, it took a big hit, and we lost a huge part of event budgets for our department.”
In 2012, the event roared back to life. It has occurred every year since.
“We rely on business sponsors for the event,” Hanlon said.
This year, the family-friendly event will have kids’ games and activities in addition to a gaga pit. Kids can hop in the pit and participate in a form of dodgeball, which uses one ball to peg players in a hexagonal or octagonal pit.
“The rest is the same format,” Hanlon said. “There will be bounce houses, a balloon artist and a rock climbing wall.”
While kids play, parents can mingle through the stadium and check out concession stands and local business vendors. Music aficionados can look forward to performances by the classic rock group Double Barrel Band and country band Daniel Sprouse Band. The latter is new this year.
Following a performance of the National Anthem, a 20-minute fireworks show will take place beginning at 9:15 p.m.
“That’s the major cost we have to cover,” Hanlon said. “It’s about $20,000 worth of fireworks.”
Last year, about 3,000 people came to the stadium to see the show despite the heavy thunderstorms earlier in the day. Even with the potential for rain, the city plans to press on with the celebration. Should a heavy storm interfere with fireworks, the display would be rescheduled for the same time the following day, Tuesday, July 5.
“Last year, we had a major storm during field activities,” Hanlon said. “We move forward regardless … It doesn’t really change anything, it would just be temporarily postponed.”
The $5 parking lot outside of the stadium will open at 5:45 p.m., and the stadium gates will open at 6 p.m. The event will conclude following the announcements after the fireworks show.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
