For the second consecutive year, the sky above Plant City Stadium will light up with fireworks on Independence Day.
Plant City’s Fourth of July Celebration, a free event, coordinated by the Recreation and Parks Department, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Strawberry Festival, will begin at 6 p.m. July 4.
The event was held annually from 2002 to 2007. It was canceled from 2008 to 2011, because of budget cuts, but returned last year.
“We’re thrilled to have it back again,” Recreation and Parks Director Jack Holland said. “The community and our sponsors have really rallied behind this event.”
Sponsors are covering the hard costs of the event, with the city contributing the venue and staff support from police, fire rescue and the Recreation and Parks Department.
The stadium turf at the stadium will be filled with activities, including inflatables, face painting, corn hole, tug-of-war and volleyball. Concession stands at the stadium will be open, along with various food vendors.
The Double Barrel Band and Highway 41 South are scheduled to provide live music, leading up to the national anthem at 9 p.m. The Double Barrel Band is a local group that has played at venues in Plant City, while Highway 41 South is a bluegrass band that Recreation and Parks Special Events Coordinator Tim Hanlon expects will “be a great fit.”
“Obviously, the fireworks are the big attraction that brings most of the people out, but we always want to find fun things to entertain everyone,” he said. “Having a bluegrass band is something we discussed having and thought would be popular for our musical entertainment.”
The grand finale of the event will be a 20-minute firework display, planned to begin at 9:15 p.m.
“The firework show itself is $20,000 to put on, so that’s obviously the first thing that we try to address and cover,” Hanlon said, noting the importance of the sponsors and community support.
Parking only will be available in the stadium parking lot for $5 per vehicle. For pedestrian safety, there will be no parking allowed near the complex along Park Road, Jim Johnson Road and Gordon Food Service Drive.
“This is something we did last year and for the event prior to that in 2007,” Holland said. “Everything we do is for the public’s safety. We don’t want people stepping out in traffic between cars and things like that.”
Other safety precautions include the banning of coolers and any glass or open containers of any beverage. Per city ordinance, no alcohol is allowed on the property. Bags and backpacks will be subject to search before guests are admitted into the stadium.
On-turf activities for the event are pending limitations caused by weather. The stadium and field is being leased this summer by VisionPro Sports Institute, which holds professional soccer matches at the stadium.
“There will be no changes to the layout of activities now that it is on a soccer field,” Holland said. “Our stage will still be located where second base used to be, facing the main stands. The only way we may not have some of the activities is if it rains heavily the afternoon prior to the event and the turf is too wet.”
JULY 4 CELEBRATION
WHEN: July 4. Gates open at 6 p.m. A 20-minute firework display begins at 9:15 p.m.
WHERE: Plant City Stadium; 1810 E. Park Road
DETAILS: Various activities will be available, along with live music and food vendors.
COST: Free; $5 parking
SPONSORS: Florida Strawberry Festival, Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, City of Plant City, Plant City Observer, Mayfair Games, Walmart, Mosaic, Stingray Chevrolet, Haught Funeral Home, Jarrett-Scott Ford, Continucare, Plant City Noon Rotary, Happy Kids Inflatables, CF Industries, Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinics, Nick’s Pizzeria & Wings, Toufayan Bakeries, Sweetbay Supermarket, Tampa Bay Times, Parkesdale Farms, Deese Scrubs, Miller Pro Sound, Culligan Water and Brewington’s Towing Service
WANT VIP TICKETS?
The Plant City Observer, the City of Plant City Recreation and Parks Department, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Strawberry Festival have partnered to present Plant City’s annual Fourth of July Celebration, and we are giving away six pairs of tickets for VIP seating for the fireworks display! To enter, simply visit bit.ly/ZY3mEL. Good luck!