Have a blast

Fourth fun isn't just about fireworks. There's music, food and games, too.

By JORGE SANCHEZ, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 28, 2002

Independence Day will be celebrated throughout the county with events beginning Saturday in Homosassa and continuing until Thursday in downtown Inverness.

Homosassa River hosts fireworks, party Saturday

The county's biggest fireworks bash will probably be Saturday's Revolutionary River Blast, taking place at many of the riverfront restaurants in Homosassa. Each participating restaurant will have fun events along with food and drink specials, to make the day entertaining while awaiting the night's fireworks show.

The Revolutionary River Blast begins at 10:30 a.m. at The Shed tiki bar at Macrae's Resort, 5300 S Cherokee Way, with registration for the daylong marine poker run. A free water taxi operated by American Pro Dive Center will take people to other riverfront restaurants to pick up cards. The poker run ends at 6:30 at Kibbie's Dockside, 11210 W Halls River Road.

There will be live music at the Seagrass Pub, 10386 Halls River Road, with two bands throughout the day. Kibbie's Dockside will have live music Saturday by Eddie and the Cruzers.

Children's games and a decorated bicycle contest will begin at 11 a.m. at the Homosassa Riverside Resort, 5297 S Cherokee Way.

Other activities include:

Noon -- Decorated boat parade along the river.

2 p.m. -- Pie eating contest at Macrae's Resort at The Shed tiki bar.

3 p.m. -- Red, white and blue beer belly contest at The Shed.

4 p.m. -- Most Revolutionary Man contest at Kibbie's.

5 p.m. -- Patriotic bikini contest at Seagrass Pub.

6:30 p.m. -- Last card drawn for poker run at Kibbie's Dockside.

7 p.m. -- Parade and poker run winners announced at Kibbie's.

9 p.m. -- Fireworks on the river. Bring a radio to listen to special music by WRGO Radio.

Inverness lights up with Patriotic Evening

Inverness will have a fireworks show and a special tribute to Sept. 11 at its Patriotic Evening July 3 at Wallace Brooks Park.

The Patriotic Evening begins at 5 p.m. July 3 with children's games such as relay races, Hula Hoops, face painting and a coin dig. The East Citrus Youth Soccer organization will sell hamburgers, hotdogs and popcorn. The Rotary Club of Inverness will have soft drinks and patriotic beads and Mount Carmel Baptist Church will sell pies. At 7 p.m., a ceremony to remember Sept. 11 will be presented by the Inverness Police Department and the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. Fireworks will begin around dark. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Crystal River plans food and fireworks

Crystal River will have a scaled-back version of its Family Freedom Festival, with hamburgers and hot dogs sold during the day at Hunter Springs Park on July 4. Fireworks commence at dark.

Back to Inverness for the Sam Jam

The New Inverness Olde Towne Association will host its Uncle Sam Jam beginning at 5 p.m. June 6 at the Courthouse Square. A decorated bicycle parade will begin at 5 p.m. and a miniature train will offer rides throughout the evening. Events include food and refreshments from a variety of local nonprofit organizations, a blueberry pie contest at 6 p.m., live entertainment by Eddie Shannon and Company Band, a patriotic ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and a coin dig at 7 p.m.

Other Fourth of July events include:

Rock Crusher Canyon, 275 S Rock Crusher Road, Crystal River, will have an All-American cookout buffet at the pavilion from 4 to 7 p.m. July 4. Razz-Ma-Tazz will perform an Americana show from 6 to 9 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Doors open at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25, half-price for children 6 to 12. Call 795-1313.

The Beverly Hills Recreation Association will have a barbecue and pool party July 4. Cost is $5 per member, and $2 for guests. DJs Dick and Neil will entertain.

AMVETS Post 5's cookout begins at 1 p.m. on July 6 in the parking lots of Helton Electric Motor and True Value Hardware, 7800 Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River. Hot dogs, hamburgers, Italian sausage and beverages will be served. All military veterans, to include National Guard and Reserve veterans, are eligible for AMVETS Post 5 membership. Call Sam, 382-4222, or Gordon, 795-7662.

A potluck supper begins at 2 p.m. July 4 at the Hernando Civic Club, 3848 E Parsons Point Road, Hernando. The club will provide the hot dogs; bring a covered dish and set-up.

VFW Post 4337 and the Ladies Auxiliary's Independence Day celebration begins at noon July 4 at the post home, 906 State Road 44, Inverness. Lunch menu includes hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage with peppers and onions, plus salads, baked beans and watermelon. There will be a cake walk and entertainment by Harry S.

The Fourth of July picnic at the VFW Edward W. Penno Post 4864 starts at noon at the post home, 10199 N Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs. On the menu: barbecued ribs, chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans and dessert. Cost: $5. Public is invited.

Have a blast on the Fourth

DUNNELLON: The 7th annual Boomtown Blast will be held July 4 at the athletic field at Dunnellon High, 10055 SW 180th Ave. Road. Gates open at 6 p.m. Entertainment begins at 7 p.m. featuring Cold Iron and Ashley Truelove. Other events include children's games and food. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Free admission, but donations are accepted.

LEVY COUNTY: The 7th annual Freedom Celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at South Levy Recreational Park on State Road 40, east of Inglis. Entertainment with Van Barker and Elvis "One Night With You." Other events include children's games, a greased pole climb, food and a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

MAIN STREET BLAST on Saturday in New Port Richey's Sims Park will have a Blood, Sweat and Tears concert (gates open at 5 p.m.) with David Clayton-Thomas (You've Made Me So Very Happy), fireworks at dark, and, from noon to 4 p.m., a car show, games, activities, music by The Bendys and The Satellites, an old-fashioned flea market, the Miss Firecracker Pageant and festival food. Admission is free, except the BST concert, which is $10 per person general admission and $15 for preferred seating. The Main Street Blast Fire Sale flea market is from noon to 4 p.m., and booths are $25. For concert tickets, a booth or an entry form in the Miss Firecracker contest, call (727) 842-8066. A $2 donation will be accepted.

BOOM BLAST 2002, A Tribute to Our Heroes, will be from 3 to 10:30 p.m. July 4 in front of the Dillard's discount store in Gulf View Square mall on U.S. 19 in Port Richey. Entertainment by The Satellites, Blues Brothers Review, Sweet Adelines, Stan Princton and several karaoke singers starts at 4 p.m. There will be a swimsuit fashion show, a car show and festival foods. A fireworks display to music will be at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. Those who attend should bring lawn chairs and parasols.

CELEBRATE AMERICA: Old Fashioned Fourth of July will be sponsored by the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce from noon to 9 p.m. July 4 at Weeki Wachee Springs, Commercial Way at Cortez Boulevard, Weeki Wachee. The celebration is free and will include an apple pie baking contest, a patriotic hat design contest, a "Proud to be an American" mermaid show, riverboat rides and fireworks. Call (352) 796-0697.

FREEDOM FESTIVAL, A Salute to American Heroes, will be held at Craig Park in Tarpon Springs from noon to 6 p.m. July 4. The day includes three boat races: the outrigger charity race at noon ($30 a team entry); the Scupper Pro boat race at 3 p.m. (entry fee $10); and the 10-mile competition and 4-mile recreation race at 5 p.m. (entry fee $10). Trophies and medallions will be awarded the top three teams in each category. There will be arts and crafts vendors, display tributes to fire, rescue and law enforcement, activities such as a rock-climbing wall, watermelon seed-spitting contest, boat demonstrations, wrestling, and more. Food and drinks will be available. Free parking and admission.

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