Celebrate Independence Day with festivities and some fireworks and other ways the night sky is going to light up this weekend.<\/p>\n
PORT CHARLOTTE<\/p>\n
Charlotte County celebrates America\u2019s 250th<\/p>\n
8:45 a.m. July 4.<\/p>\n
PORT CHARLOTTE \u2014 Charlotte County and the Charlotte County Veterans Council will celebrate America\u2019s 250th beginning at 8:45 a.m. with bagpipes, followed by a helicopter flyover by the Charlotte County Sheriff\u2019s Office\u2019s aviation unit, patriotic music, proclamations, birthday cake and more.<\/p>\n
The event takes place at William R Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park, 20499 Edgewater Drive, Port Charlotte. For more information, visit www.ccvcfl.org<\/a><\/p>\n PUNTA GORDA<\/p>\n Freedom Swim<\/p>\n 10 a.m. July 4.<\/p>\n PUNTA GORDA \u2014 The annual Freedom Swim, a local tradition, begins at the Charlotte Harbor end of the southbound bridge.<\/p>\n There is no land access to water at the starting point, so participants need to arrive by boat to swim to Fishermen\u2019s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda.<\/p>\n Those who would rather not swim can cheer on the swimmers from Fishermen\u2019s Village.<\/p>\n For more information, visit www.facebook.com\/PuntaGordaChamber<\/a><\/p>\n Fourth Fest<\/p>\n 3-10 p.m. July 4.<\/p>\n PUNTA GORDA \u2014 Celebrate the 250th birthday of United States with live entertainment, waterslides, Kids Fun Zone, vendors, food trucks and more.<\/p>\n Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. A kid\u2019s watermelon eating contest takes place at 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Live music takes place at 5:30 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n The events take place at Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit St., Punta Gorda.<\/p>\n VIP and preferred seating area tickets are available at puntagordafireworks.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks Display at Fishermen\u2019s Village<\/p>\n Noon-9 p.m. July 4.<\/p>\n PUNTA GORDA \u2014 Fishermen\u2019s Village hosts live music, vendors, activities on Saturday \u2014 with fireworks launching at 9 p.m.<\/p>\n Fishermen\u2019s Village is at 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. For more information, visit www.fishermensvillage.com<\/a><\/p>\n ENGLEWOOD<\/p>\n \u2018Light up Lemon Bay\u2019<\/p>\n 9:05 p.m. July 4.<\/p>\n ENGLEWOOD \u2014 The Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary honors America\u2019s 250th birthday with a fireworks display launched from Blind Pass Beach.<\/p>\n For more information, visit lemonbaysunriserotary.com<\/a><\/p>\n NORTH PORT<\/p>\n Freedom Festival<\/p>\n 6-9:30 p.m. July 4.<\/p>\n WELLEN PARK \u2014 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n