Plant City July 4 Fireworks, Parades and More: 2018 Guide

PLANT CITY, FL – Plant City’s Fourth of July celebration is back for 2018.

Sponsored by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and coordinated by the City of Plant City Recreation & Parks Department, the skies above Plant City will again fill with fireworks this July 4.

The celebration will take place on Wednesday, July 4 at Plant City Stadium,1810 E. Park Road. The parking lot gates open at 5:45 p.m. and the stadium gates will open at 6 p.m. Admission to the event is free with parking costing $5 per car.

Various activities will be available on the stadium turf, pending weather restrictions, including inflatables, face painting, balloon art, corn hole bean bag toss, kid crafts, rock climbing wall, bungee jump and more.

Along with the stadium concession stands being open, various food vendors will be positioned inside the stadium along the perimeter of the field. A 50-50 drawing will also be offered with proceeds split between the winner and the event for future expenses.

The rain-out date is Thursday, July 5 with the fireworks only (no vendors or stage/field activities) scheduled for 9 p.m. and the gates opening at 8 p.m.

Scheduled to perform on stage is Fifth Gear Band, leading up to the national anthem at 9 p.m.

The 20-minute fireworks show is planned for 9:15 p.m. following announcements from the stage.

Parking will only be available in the stadium parking lot. Due to pedestrian safety, no parking will be allowed near the complex along Park Road, Jim Johnson Road, Roberts Ranch Road and Gordon Food Service Drive.

Following the fireworks, event traffic will flow one way as vehicles exit the parking lots onto East Park Road and Gordon Food Service Drive.

No coolers or any outside food or drinks will allowed in the stadium. Per city ordinance, no alcohol is allowed on the property. Bags and backpacks will be subject to search at the stadium entrance.

The event, originally held in 2002 and held annually through 2007, had to be shelved due to a lack of funding in 2008.

Enough sponsors have felt financially comfortable enough to assist again this year to help present the 13th show.

"We are extremely proud of our community" said Jack Holland, director of recreation and parks for the city of Plant City. "When the need arises, they always step forward and make it happen. Without their support through financial, volunteer or in-kind assistance, this event would not happen."

Financial sponsorships and in-kind contributions cover the costs of the event, with the city's contribution to the event being the venue and staff support from police, fire rescue, traffic, solid waste and the Recreation & Parks Department.

Financial and in-kind sponsors for 2018 include the Florida Strawberry Festival, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and its volunteers, the City of Plant City, Stingray Chevrolet, Cater Tampa, Global Sports Alliance, the Plant City Observer, In The Field Agriculture Magazine, Plant City Family YMCA, Jarrett-Scott Ford, Haught Funeral Home, W.K. McClendon Oil, American Legion Post 26, Hillsborough Title, Parkesdale Market, Miller Pro Sound, Happy Kids Inflatables, Gordon Food Service Marketplace, Dark Horse Music Store, Plant City Dolphins Football/Cheer, Toufayan Bakeries, Brewington's Towing, Lowes, Culligan Water, City of Tampa Special Events Office and the Friends of Recreation & Parks.

For more information, click here and search July 4 Celebration or call the Recreation & Parks Department weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (813) 659-4255.

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