Lutz 4th of July Celebration: What To Know Before You Go

LUTZ, FL – For more than 60 years, the Lutz community has pulled out all the red, white and blue stops to celebrate the 4th of July.

This year is no different. The 2017 Lutz 4th of July Celebration will feature a parade, the culmination of the Guv’na’s race, a road race, a cake bake and more. The activities, sponsored by the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes GFWC Women’s Club, center around the Lutz Train Depot on the corner of U.S. Highway 41 and Lutz-Lake Fern Road.

Here’s what area residents need to know before you go to the 2017 Lutz 4th of July Celebration, which is set to take place on Tuesday, July 4:

Lutz Independence Day Run 2017

Kicking off the day’s festivities is the Lutz Independence Day Run 2017. The event features two races: a 5K open age group and a 1-Mile open age group. In-person pre-registration is available at Big Fred’s Automotive Repair, 19301 U.S. Highway 41 N., until 5 p.m. on Friday, June 30.

Pre-registration fees for the races are $10 for the 1-mile race, $25 for the 5K and $27 for both races. Race-day registration is $15 for the 1-mile race and $30 for the 5K.

For more information, visit http://www.active.com/lutz-fl/running/distance-running-races/lutz-independence-day-run-2017.

Lutz 4th of July Parade

The highlight of the Lutz 4th of July Celebration is the annual Lutz 4th of July Parade. The 2017 parade, with the theme of “Beautiful Downtown Lutz,” will start lining up prior to 9 a.m. The parade is set to start at 10 a.m.

The parade is staged on Crooked Lane and winds down Lutz-Lake Fern Road toward U.S. 41 before turning near the old Methodist Church and going in front of the Lutz Senior Center and the Lutz library.

Trophies will be awarded after the parade in the following categories:

• Antique Vehicles
• Bicycle Entry
• Commercial
• Family
• Most Comical
• Most Patriotic
• Neighborhood Entry
• Walking Unit
• Youth
• Judges’ Favorite
• Grand Marshall’s Choice

The deadline to enter the parade as a unit is Saturday, July 1. For more information, e-mail Edwina Kraemer at lutz4thofjuly@gmail.com with the subject 4th of July Parade.

2017 Lutz Guv’na’s Race

The leader of the Lutz world is announced annual during the Lutz 4th of July Celebration. The Lutz Guv’na is chosen by the residents of Lutz through buying their votes – literally. The candidate that raises the most money for charity throughout the candidacy period is named the Guv’na, and represents the community at events throughout the year.

This year’s candidates are:

• Greg Gilbert (incumbent) – Beef ‘O’Brady’s
• Kori Rankin – Kori Rankin Photography
• Jessica Sherman – Pinch-A-Penny

The winner of the Lutz Guv’na’s race is announced after the parade at the Lutz Train Depot. The Guv’na’s race is sponsored by the Lutz Civic Association.

2017 Lutz Cake Bake

The most delicious part of the Lutz 4th of July Celebration might be the Lutz 4th of July Cake Contest. The contest will look for the best cake in the following categories:

• Adult Best Decorated
• Youth Best Decorated (11-18 years old)
• Children’s Best Decorated (10 and younger)
• Best Tasting
• Best Pie (all ages)
• Guv’na Favorite
• Judges’ Favorite
• Meno Only
• Youth Boys (11-18)
• Most Patriotic (all ages)
• Cupcakes (new category for 2017)

Entries must be dropped off at the Lutz Community Center, 98 First Ave. NW, on Monday, July 3 from 4-7 p.m. and Tuesday, July 4 from 6 to 9 a.m. Cakes are to be no larger than 9 inches by 13 inches, and must not require refrigeration.

For more information, contact Karin at (813) 786-8461.

For more information about the 2017 Lutz 4th of July Celebration, visit https://www.facebook.com/LutzEvents/.

Patch staff photo