Seasonal & Holidays
Polk County July 4 Fireworks, Parades and More: 2018 Guide
Communities throughout Polk County prepare to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, food and special activities.

LAKELAND, FL -- Here's a wrap-up of Independence Day activities in Polk County.
Fourth Of July With Flying Tigers
What’s more American than baseball? The Lakeland Flying Tigers will celebrate the holiday on July 4 with a game at Publix Field in Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.
Players will wear special patriotic red, white and blue jerseys for their game against the Jupiter Hammerheads at 5 p.m.
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The stadium will open at 11 a.m. for holiday picnic-themed games, contests, music and other activities.
The Sofa Kings will perform between the game and a large fireworks display to culminate the celebration.
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Tickets are $5.
LEGOLand Salutes America
Celebrate Independence Day at the LEGOLand Florida Resort, 1 Legoland Way in Winter Haven July 4. Guests will receive special 3D glasses that will turn ordinary fireworks into millions of exploding bricks over Lake Eloise.
Also planned is a DJ dance party, an opportunity to help build a giant LEGO brick American flag, a competition build, stilt walkers and a salute to America’s troops during the Battle for Brickbeard's Bounty ski show.
Click here for admission information,
Thunder On The Ridge
Billed as Polk County’s largest fireworks display, Haines City will host its Thunder on the Ridge Celebration from 3 to 10 p.m. at Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave.
A variety of artists will take the stage this year followed by the massive fireworks display. There will be live music, arts, a corn hole tournament, crafts, children’s activities food vendors, a beer garden and other activities on site.
Thunder on the Ridge is Haines City’s signature event. Since 1998, residents, and people across the county have joined Haines City to celebrate this Fourth of July tradition.
General admission is free. Reserved seating is $12 and offers seats close to the stage. All reserved seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fourth Of July In Bartow
The city of Bartow will celebrate the Fourth of July on Wednesday, July 4 from 2:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The Bartow Adult Concert Band kicks off the day with a patriotic concert at the Bartow Civic Center from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free and seats are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bartow’s annual Fourth of July celebration will be held at Mosaic Park 2250 S. Florida Ave.. beginning at 4 p.m. Guests will enjoy live music, food vendors, games and children's activities. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.
Fourth Of July In Auburndale
Join the city of Auburndale Wednesday, July 4 from noon to 9:30 p.m. at Lake Ariana Park, 2215 Lake Ariana Blvd. There will be food, a watermelon-eating contest, sack races for the kids, a corn hole tournament live music and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Lake Wales Celebrate Fourth Of July
Lake Wales will host its Fourth of July celebration Wednesday, July 4 from 2 to 9:30 p.m. at Lake Wales Park, 33 N. Lakeshore Blvd., on the shores of Lake Wales. There will be music provided by Parties by Robert, games, pony rides, face painting food and other activities. The fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
Celebrating Independence Day In Davenport
The city of Davenport will host its Fourth of July celebration from 3 to 9:45 p.m. at the Lewis Mathews Sports Complex, 400 Palm St., Davenport.
The celebration will get underway with the Josh Blevins Band from 3 to 5 p.m. followed by the reading of the Declaration of Independence from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Josh Blevins returns to the stage until 8:30 p.m. when Studio C will take over for a short performance. At 9 p.m. the Davenport City Commission will light up the city with a fireworks display. Those attending should bring their own lawn chair.
Dundee 4th of July Celebration
Dundee will celebrate the holiday Wednesday, July 4 from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Dundee Community Center, 603 Lake Marie Blvd.. There will be balloons, inflatables, food vendors, live entertainment and a fireworks display over Lake Marie starting at 9:20 a.m.
Photo via LEGOLand
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