Celebrations are being held countywide to mark America\u2019s 250th\u00a0birthday. Celebratory events include:<\/p>\n
Art Walk. live music and fireworks<\/p>\n
A two-day community celebration, hosted by the city of Fort Myers and the River District Alliance, will be held in Downtown Fort Myers to commemorate the semiquincentennial.<\/p>\n
The free celebration will begin at 5 p.m., Friday, July 3, with an Americana-themed Art Walk along First Street, as well as free live concerts at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater.<\/p>\n
A patriotic ceremony at the new All Veterans Memorial in Centennial Park will be held Saturday, July 4, at 10 a.m. There will also be an opening ceremony at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, live music and a fireworks and drone show at 9:15 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our community to come together and honor the values, freedoms and spirit that have defined our great country for 250 years,\u201d said city of Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson. \u201cThrough our partnership with the RDA, we\u2019re creating a star-spangled salute that honors America\u2019s past and reflects the bright future we\u2019re building together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Local businesses and community leaders had raised nearly $250,000 by mid-June to ensure the event is free for everyone who attends. A contribution of $10,000 was made by Fort Myers Mayor Anderson from the city\u2019s Neighborhood Improvement Fund to launch the fundraising effort. A \u201976 Reignited Fund was established at Collaboratory to offset event costs.<\/p>\n
Freedom Fest and Lehigh Acres Fireworks show <\/p>\n
The sixth\u00a0annual Freedom Fest and Lehigh Acres Fireworks show will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Victory Town Center, 1201 Taylor Lane Ext. The fireworks will be held at 9 p.m.<\/p>\n
The festival will also include food trucks, live music, vendors, grill tents, inflatables, carnival games, kids\u2019 activities, community booths, and family entertainment. <\/p>\n
Admission is free for the event.<\/p>\n
Estero Historical Society Cottage Museum<\/p>\n
The Estero Historical Society Cottage Museum will celebrate the 250th\u00a0Independence Day with a step back in time. Jacob Winge, in full period costume, will deliver a reading of the Declaration of Independence from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. <\/p>\n
The free event will also include fresh watermelon slices, a patriotic fire truck display\u00a0and 250th\u00a0celebration bags from the Village of Estero.<\/p>\n
Independence Day Parade in Bonita Springs<\/p>\n
Bonita Springs will host a celebration, the Independence Day Parade at 9 a.m. on Old 41 between Kentucky Street and Rosemary Drive at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 4. The Bonita Springs Firefighters Union has organized the parade since 1958.<\/p>\n
The annual 4th\u00a0of July Star Spangled Bonita Event will take place at 6 p.m. with an outdoor concert by the Ben Allen Band and a 50-minute synchronized drone, laser light and fireworks show at Riverside Park, 10150 Reynolds St.<\/p>\n
Golf Cart parade, music & more<\/p>\n
Babcock Ranch is offering a slew of activities from a 4th\u00a0of July 5K from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Founders Square, from a 4th\u00a0of July Golf Cart Parade from 1 to 2 p.m. at Babcock Ranch Field House, to the 4th\u00a0of July Celebration from 2-9:30 p.m. complete with the world-renowned thrill performer Bello Nock, authentic fire dance performance and a patriotic drone show.<\/p>\n
Daughters of the American Revolution\u00a0<\/p>\n
On July 6 at 11 a.m., the Lawrence Kearny Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will host a lunch and America 250 program at Broadway Palm Theater in Fort Myers.<\/p>\n
WGCU will present a curated screening from Ken Burns\u2019 documentary around the spirit of service in American culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Professor Kartik Kristnalyer, author of Florida and the American Revolution, explores Florida\u2019s involvement during the war. The Spirit of Service screening reel includes selected excerpt from the PBS series to encourage thoughtful discussion about the American Revolution, especially the spirit in American culture.<\/p>\n
Tickets are $30 an includes a buffet lunch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For additional information and to reserve a space, contact Roiann Belmont via email at lktreasurerdar@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Broadway Palm Theatre is at 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.<\/p>\n