Celebrate Independence Day at one of four events in Lake County

Lake County is celebrating Independence Day with four events sure to stir patriotic spirits. For a day full of fanciful fireworks and family fun, look no further than the enchanting downtown districts of Lake County. Enjoy the Fourth of July festivities this year from land or water as all four Independence Day events in Lake County occur near lakes. Find the perfect perch on a blanket or boat and watch the night sky sparkle with an array of firework displays. Best of all is the Fourth of July events in the cities of Groveland, Leesburg, Mount Dora and Tavares are free.

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
The Annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration in Mount Dora is an exciting all-day event. At 2 p.m. the Rotary Club of Mount Dora parade marches along Donnelly Street from Seventh Avenue to Charles Street. The parade route continues turns east on Charles Street to Tremain Street, south on Tremain Street to Liberty Avenue, and finally, east on Liberty Avenue to Grandview Street.

After the patriotic procession, the City of Mount Dora and the Mount Dora Community Trust kick off Kids’ Fest from 3 to 6 p.m. at Palm Island, located adjacent to Gilbert Park at the corner of Tremain Street and Liberty Avenue. The event features pony rides, a water slide, face painting, a reptile show, a disc jockey and an assortment of games, contests and activities. At the neighboring Gilbert Park event-goers will find a variety of food vendors, music and entertainment. The main attraction is set to blast off at 9 p.m. with a splendid bouquet of fireworks. For more information, call the Mount Dora Parks and Recreation Department at (352) 735-7183 or the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce at (352) 383-2165.

Independence Day Celebration “Spirit of America”
The City of Tavares Recreation Department brings the “Spirit of America” to this Independence Day Celebration beginning at 3 p.m. in Wooton Park, 200 S. Rockingham Ave.

The event features the high-flying act of the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team with show times at 3 and 6:30 p.m. In between the gravity defying water acts, enjoy a Fourth of July parade on Alfred Street at 5 p.m. The celebration kicks into high gear at 6 p.m. with live entertainment, food vendors, games, rides and a homemade apple pie contest. Rocking the main stage is a disc jockey and patriotic videos on a large screen. In addition, don’t miss the special features of this event, such as a stilt-walking Uncle Sam, a living Statue of Liberty and a military equipment exhibit. Beginning at 9 p.m., enjoy the bright lights of the pyrotechnics show at Wooton Park. For more information, call the City of Tavares Recreation Department at (352) 742-6477.

Fourth of July Celebration at Venetian Gardens
No Independence Day party is complete without ice cream, fireworks and the national pastime. Join the City of Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department for a host of family friendly activities at Venetian Gardens, 201 E. Dixie Ave., from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. A kids’ carnival with food vendors begins at 11 a.m. and is accompanied by a variety of activities including: a caricature artist, 2-9 p.m.; face painting, 3-5 p.m.; treasure hunt (ages 1 to 8), 3-7 p.m.; rock climbing wall ($5 per climb), 12-9 p.m.; and a magician, stilt walkers and clowns, 4-8 p.m.

Leesburg’s celebration also includes a full slate of live entertainment from 1 to 9 p.m. as well as water-skiing shows at 5 and 7 p.m. City officials get in on the act at 6:30 p.m. as they dish out free ice cream from the City of Leesburg tent at Dozer Circle. Before settling down for the 9:15 p.m. fireworks show, enjoy a 6 p.m. baseball game at Pat Thomas Stadium. The match-up between the Altamonte Springs Snappers and the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs is courtesy of the Florida Collegiate Summer League. For more information, call the City of Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department at (352) 728-9885.

Groveland’s Annual Fourth of July Celebration
Join the City of Groveland for the Annual Fourth of July Celebration at Lake David Park, located on the corner of state roads 50 and 19 in downtown Groveland. This year’s event will include children's games, food, live bands, basketball, volleyball and skateboarding tournaments, a car show, a wakeboard competition, Mr. and Miss Firecracker Pageant and fireworks.

Starting early Tuesday morning, the festivities begin with a 3-on-3 basketball tourney, a volleyball competition and a wakeboarding tournament at Lake David Park. The wakeboard tournament is geared for pros and amateurs. Long regarded as a water-skiing haven, several national ski-jumping records still hold from the tourneys previously held at the downtown lake. The abundance of fun activities is available all-day long, but come 9 p.m. the gathering of event-goers stake a claim to spots in the park for the Groveland Fire Department hosted fabulous fireworks show. For more information, call the City of Groveland at (352) 429-2141.