TAVARES CELEBRATES JULY 4TH WITH PARADE & LAKEFRONT PARTY

America's Seaplane City is stepping up with a big patriotic celebration on July 4 featuring a hometown parade, a multi-plane aerial salute, and a seaplane flyover in downtown Tavares.  The theme for this year's party is "Sounds of Freedom."

A seaplane flyover will take place just before 5 p.m. followed by a parade down Main Street that will include roller skaters passing out 1,000 American flags.  Meanwhile, 1,000 free ice pops will be dished out to kids by the City’s Rec Rover. Additional parade entertainment includes stilt walkers winding their way through the parade, the Strolling Piano from Disney Springs, line dancers, and the Book Bike  from Tavares Public Library peddled by none other than Albert Einstein. A massive American flag will be escorted down the route by Boy Scout Troop 43.

RELATED:  10 Best Spots to Watch Fireworks in Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis.

After the parade, revelers can make their way to Tavares Square to let the kids enjoy a train ride, games, bounce inflatables, a rock climbing wall, craft station, Knocker Balls and a human hamster wheel that crushes ice to make snow cones.  There will also be live music, food trucks and karaoke to keep the adults busy. 

Live music kicks off at 6:00 p.m. with The Hootz, a unique, high energy act from Tennessee. 

The City of Tavares is also providing a misting tent  near the Prop Shop in Wooton Park to keep visitors cool and there will be a nearby pet hydration station for four-legged friends.

Not to be missed are the opportunities to do good deeds.  The Big Red Bus will be on hand for blood donations and the K.I.S.S. (Kids in Support of Soldiers) organization will be accepting  care package items for American troops (click here for requested items).

RELATED:  Mount Dora's Independence celebration is July 3.

Just before the City’s spectacular fireworks show begins at 9:00 p.m., an American flag will be majestically raised above the water for everyone in attendance to salute. 

The free event has accessible parking available in the lot across from Wooton Park with an entrance  from Alfred Street to New Hampshire Street. The free parking garage is available with entrance from Alfred Street to Sinclair Avenue. Visitors should expect delays at the end of the evening when exiting the garage.  The rain date for fireworks is July 5th.

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