Historic Downtown Sanford: Craft breweries, restaurants, gastropubs, events, tours, things to do in Sanford, FL
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Star Spangled Sanford July 4th on The Riverwalk
One of the biggest fireworks displays in Central Florida is in the heart of Sanford! Come to Historic Downtown Sanford to celebrate Independence Day and enjoy free activities for the family and our spectacular fireworks display over beautiful Lake Monroe.
At 7 PM, grab your lawn chairs or a blanket and head to the lakefront for STAR SPANGLED SANFORD on the Riverwalk, along Seminole Boulevard. The kids will really enjoy the Kids Zone, sponsored by Ladies 327, the enormous park playground, and the splash pad in Ft. Mellon Park. Unfortunately the green space is closed due to construction but viewing areas are available along the lake and in grass covered spaces between Palmetto Avenue and San Juan Avenue. Everyone can relax to music hosted by K92.3’s Jay Edwards, visit our food and drink stations, shop the wide variety of vendors and be entertained by live performers along the Riverwalk. We will end the night with a spectacular pyrotechnics show choreographed to patriotic music over Lake Monroe at about 9:15 PM.
FT. MELLON PARK AND THE RIVERWALK
Ft. Mellon Park will be open from 7 AM until Sunset (weather permitting) for everyone to enjoy the enormous park playground, basketball courts, pavilions and the splash pad (admission required for splash pad). Stroll, bike or skate along the lakefront, rent a boat or Jet Ski for fun on the lake, grab a bite to eat or picnic under a shade tree and sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of beautiful Lake Monroe.
FOOD AND DRINK
It’s no longer a secret that our Star Spangled Sanford vendors start serving at 6 PM for those ‘early-birds’ who come to secure the best vantage points with their blankets and chairs! And if you come hungry, check out all of the food trucks waiting to serve you. Grab a spot to check out the cirque entertainment (7 to 9 PM) along Seminole Boulevard, throw a Frisbee, people watch and catch up with friends and family you are bound to see! Come early and avoid the lines for hotdogs, hamburgers, a snow cone or two and maybe even some kettle corn! Get pumped for an amazing fireworks show celebrating America’s 247th year of Independence on our nearly five mile long Riverwalk on the shores of Lake Monroe.
WATERFRONT CELEBRATION BEGINS AT 7PM
Beginning at 7 PM the Waterfront Celebration begins with great tunes, an expanded Kids Play Zone sponsored by Ladies 327, live entertainers, food, drink, and merchandise vendors along with radio station K92.3 keeping it festive.
FIREWORKS, FIREWORKS, FIREWORKS
At 9:15, get ready to enjoy a spectacular pyrotechnics show choreographed to fun upbeat tunes and patriotic music over Lake Monroe. The sound system reaches from San Juan Avenue to Palmetto Avenue so everyone can enjoy the tunes along the waterfront. Once again, the show produced by Zambelli International is choreographed specifically for our beautiful lakefront site and will include thousands of shells to produce this spectacular show.
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
Public restrooms (some portable) are available in Ft. Mellon Park, along Seminole Boulevard and at the corner of Sanford Avenue and Commercial Street.
ROAD CLOSURES & DOWNTOWN PARKING
Road Closures will begin at Midnight on Monday, July 3rd and reopen by 11 PM on Monday, July 4th and include the following streets:
Seminole Boulevard, from Palmetto Avenue to Mellonville Avenue;
1st Street, from San Juan Avenue to Sanford Avenue;
Sanford Avenue, from Seminole Boulevard to Commercial Street; and
Mellonville Avenue, from Seminole Boulevard to 1st Street;
Access to Marina Isle is restricted with no public parking. The public boat ramps close at 10 AM with parking available in the municipal lot at Seminole Boulevard and Palmetto Avenue.
TRAVELING BY WATER
The public boat ramps at Downtown Sanford Marina will close at 10 AM on July 4th. All remaining vehicles and trailers will be towed. Emergency Management will secure and monitor the area to ensure a safe fireworks show. Limited parking for vehicles and boat trailers is available in the Municipal Parking Lot located at Palmetto Avenue and Seminole Boulevard.
Boats, already in the water by 10 AM and in the east basin, may enter Lake Monroe until 4 PM. No vessels may enter or exit the east basin of Downtown Sanford Marina after 4 PM due to the safety zone required for the fireworks show.
At approximately 10:15 PM, once the fireworks are over and the Fire Marshall gives the all-clear following a safety check, boats may once again enter and exit on the east side of the Marina (time and boundaries may shift slightly as a result of weather patterns). Your patience is appreciated.
Other ramp options include the Lake Monroe Boat Ramp at 966 Lake Shore Drive in Deltona, Lake Jesup Park at 5951 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford and Highbanks Road Boat Ramp at 499 W. Highbanks Road, Debary Florida.