July 4 weekend ahead: Check out these fireworks celebrations in Gainesville and Alachua County
Fireworks will soon be lighting up the skies for the July 4th weekend and there are events all over the Alachua County region to keep community members busy.
This Saturday, locals can get started on the fun by traveling to Keystone Heights in Clay County where the community will be having their "One Nation" celebration which includes their baby crawl race.
If you'd rather stay closer to home, you can head to the University of Florida's Flavet Field on Woodlawn Drive for fireworks, which are set to begin at 6 p.m.
On Monday, the actual holiday, the city of Archer will have their annual Red, White and Boom celebration and more.
Here is a list of events around or near the community families can take part in this weekend:
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July 2: Keystone Heights, City of Williston festivities
Keystone Height's July 4th "One Nation" celebration will be held at the Keystone's Theme Park behind City Hall. Festivities will begin at 8 a.m. Attendees can expect arts and crafts and vendors stationed around Keystone's City Hall, located at 555 S. Lawrence Blvd,.
At 11 a.m., people can anticipate seeing the "Our Country Day" parade that normally features a marching band, floats and beauty queens. Fireworks will be held at Keystone Beach Park, which is set to begin at 9:30 p.m.
The City of Williston will host its Fourth of July Independence Day Celebration on Saturday. The city's parade is set to begin at 5 p.m. Other festivities are set to begin at 7 p.m. at Horseman's Park, located at 803 SW 19th Avenue. Fireworks will begin at Sundown.
July 3: UF Flavet Field
Fanfares and Fireworks, at the University of Florida's Flavet Field along Woodlawn Drive will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Community members who attend can expect to hear live music from local bands such as the Bears and Lions, The Martin Family Band, Soozas Brass Band, Gainesville Community Band and the Gainesville "POPS" under the direction of Gary Langford. Food trucks will also be on site.
Due safety reasons, no dogs, sparklers, drones or alcohol will be allowed at the event. Community members can bring coolers, though they may get searched by the University of Florida Police Department.
July 4: Micanopy, Archer, Alachua, Cedar Key and High Springs
Micanopy's Independence Day Celebration parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. The parade will begin at the intersection of Tuscawilla Road and will head north on Choloka Boulevard.
Following the parade, people can gather from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Carson Roberts Sports Complex at 702 NW Eestaulkee 3rd Ave. Fireworks will begin at dusk.
City of Archer's Red White and Boom event is an all day celebration beginning along Archer Road, near the Santa Fe College Ron and Norita Davis Center. The event will run from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Festivities will include an apple pie and watermelon-eating contest. There will be live entertainment from DJ REM Juice and Vibe RW. Fireworks will begin at sunset.
The city of Alachua's celebration, dubbed the "Largest Small Town Fireworks Display in America" will be held at Legacy Park. It will be the city's 22nd annual celebration. The event will take place at 4 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. Community members can expect fireworks to begin at 9:30 p.m. Live music will begin at 6 p.m.
High Springs will host its firework show at Deep Purpose Community Church, located at 19930 NW US Highway 441. Organizers recommend that people bring chairs and blankets. The firework show is set to begin at 8:55 p.m. through 9:25 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: July 4th fireworks, celebrations for Gainesville, Alachua County
