Celebrate Independence Day with festivities and some fireworks and other ways the night sky is going to light up this weekend.
PORT CHARLOTTE
Charlotte County celebrates America’s 250th
8:45 a.m. July 4.
PORT CHARLOTTE — Charlotte County and the Charlotte County Veterans Council will celebrate America’s 250th beginning at 8:45 a.m. with bagpipes, followed by a helicopter flyover by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office’s aviation unit, patriotic music, proclamations, birthday cake and more.
The event takes place at William R Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park, 20499 Edgewater Drive, Port Charlotte. For more information, visit www.ccvcfl.org
PUNTA GORDA
Freedom Swim
10 a.m. July 4.
PUNTA GORDA — The annual Freedom Swim, a local tradition, begins at the Charlotte Harbor end of the southbound bridge.
There is no land access to water at the starting point, so participants need to arrive by boat to swim to Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda.
Those who would rather not swim can cheer on the swimmers from Fishermen’s Village.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/PuntaGordaChamber
Fourth Fest
3-10 p.m. July 4.
PUNTA GORDA — Celebrate the 250th birthday of United States with live entertainment, waterslides, Kids Fun Zone, vendors, food trucks and more.
Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. A kid’s watermelon eating contest takes place at 4:30 p.m.
Live music takes place at 5:30 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.
The events take place at Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit St., Punta Gorda.
VIP and preferred seating area tickets are available at puntagordafireworks.com.
4th of July Celebration & Fireworks Display at Fishermen’s Village
Noon-9 p.m. July 4.
PUNTA GORDA — Fishermen’s Village hosts live music, vendors, activities on Saturday — with fireworks launching at 9 p.m.
Fishermen’s Village is at 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. For more information, visit www.fishermensvillage.com
ENGLEWOOD
‘Light up Lemon Bay’
9:05 p.m. July 4.
ENGLEWOOD — The Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary honors America’s 250th birthday with a fireworks display launched from Blind Pass Beach.
For more information, visit lemonbaysunriserotary.com
NORTH PORT
Freedom Festival
6-9:30 p.m. July 4.
WELLEN PARK — The North Port Young Marines presents the colors as Jennifer Montalvo sings the national anthem and Gulf Coast Raptors Formation Flight Team conducts a flyover.
There will be a Patriotic Play Zone with bounce houses, games, music and more. Inside the stadium, Firecracker Lane brings a mix of vendors and community organizations.
Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. CoolToday Park, 18800 W. Villages Parkway, Wellen Park. www.northportfl.gov/Event-Directory/Freedom-Festival
WELLEN PARK
Fourth of July in Downtown Wellen Park
6-9 p.m. July 4.
WELLEN PARK — Celebrate the Fourth of July in Downtown Wellen Park with an evening of country music. It takes place at Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd.
VENICE
July 4 Parade, Picnic & Fireworks
9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. July 4.
VENICE — A full day of events is set for the city.
A parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of West Venice Avenue and Ave des Parques.
The celebration continues at 11 a.m. with a community picnic at the Venice Community Center.
The celebration concludes with the annual Independence Day fireworks show, firing off at 9 p.m. from the South Jetty, with viewing areas at Venice Beach, Brohard Beach and the Gulf.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CityofVeniceFlorida
BABCOCK RANCH
Founder’s Square celebration
2-9:30 p.m. July 4.
BABCOCK RANCH — The community is hosting what its calling its “most spectacular Independence Day celebration yet.”
It’ll have entertainment, including face painters, balloon artists and stilt walkers.
There won’t be fireworks, but the night sky will light up in a grand finale.
“Watch hundreds of illuminated drones transform the night sky into a breathtaking patriotic display unlike anything you’ve seen before at Babcock Ranch as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in spectacular fashion.”