America 250: Where you can watch fireworks, celebrate in your community

America is celebrating 250 years this Fourth of July, and communities across the First Coast are getting in on the patriotic fun.

We’ve got a county-by-county list of events happening around Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia to celebrate July 4th.

FLORIDA

Alachua County

• Fanfares & Fireworks (Gainesville): Community Independence celebration with live music and a fireworks finale. 6–10 p.m., Friday, July 3 (fireworks ~9:30 p.m.) at the UF Bandshell at Flavet Field in Gainesville.

Bradford County

• Starke Spangled Splash Bash (Starke): City/community July 4 festivities including a parade. Parade starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 4 (military flyover of vintage aircraft at 10 a.m.).

Clay County

• Independence Day Celebration (Keystone Heights): Full-day, family-friendly Independence Day activities honoring America 250 (community events + fireworks finale). 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 4 at Theme Park Tennis Courts, 555 S Lawrence Blvd., Keystone Heights.
• Food Truck Friday (Green Cove Springs): The event’s return will be from 5-9:30 p.m., Friday, July 3, at Spring Park in Green Cove Springs. This free family-friendly event will feature a delicious set of 17 diversified food trucks, more than 40 local vendors, and live entertainment. Food Truck Friday will take place at Spring Park on the first Friday of every month through November of this year.

Columbia County

• July 4 celebration (Lake City): Live music, food, hot air balloons, fireworks and more. 5 p.m.-11:55 p.m., Saturday, July 4, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds at 164 SW Mary Ethel Lane, Lake City.

Duval County

• Ice Cream Party (St. Johns Town Center): Join in a 250th birthday celebration and ice cream social between 2-4 p.m. at Park on The Green, Friday, July 3. Enjoy a complimentary ice cream, play a round of corn hole and take in the patriotic visual display installation along River City Drive.
• Red, White & DQ: Head to the Dairy Queen on 3rd Street in Jacksonville Beach for a full-on All-American birthday party from 12-9 p.m. Saturday, July 4, with games, prizes and giveaways, crafts for kids and, of course, ice cream!
• Freedom Fest (San Marco): Enjoy a patriotic light and music show with live bands, food trucks and free apple pies to the first 1,000 people! This event is free to attend. 5:30-10 p.m., Friday, July 3, at 1015 Museum Cir., Jacksonville, 32207.
• Fourth of July Celebration (Friendship Fountain): Enjoy an evening of live music from Scott Halls and Caribe Groove, plus a hot dog eating contest and cornhole tournament. Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the event. 3-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at 1015 Museum Cir., Jacksonville, 32207.
• Jacksonville Fourth of July Celebration (Downtown Jacksonville): Downtown riverfront festival-style celebration (live music, art, family activities, food vendors) + fireworks. 4–9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 4 (fireworks 9 p.m.) at Riverfront Plaza, Downtown. What you need to know
• USS Orleck 4th of July 250th American Celebration: Celebrate aboard the USS Orleck with live music from DJ Rantz, food trucks, drinks, fireworks and waterfront views during this festive celebration. 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Buy tickets here
• 4th of July Fireworks (Jacksonville Beach): Join in for an amazing free display of fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July!. 9 p.m., Saturday, July 4 at 504 1st St. N. Jacksonville Beach, 32250

Flagler County

• United Flagler Fourth / Fireworks Over the Runways (Palm Coast): Countywide July 4 celebration at the airport with live entertainment/activities + fireworks. 5–10 p.m., Saturday, July 4 (fireworks 9 p.m.) at Flagler Executive Airport in Palm Coast.

Nassau County

• Light Up Amelia / Hometown 4th of July Firework Show (Fernandina Beach): City-sponsored downtown/waterfront July 4 celebration + fireworks. 6–10 p.m., Saturday, July 4 (fireworks 9 p.m.) at Waterfront Park/Downtown in Fernandina Beach.

Putnam County

• July 4 celebration (Palatka): Free, family-friendly event includes live music, food trucks, vendors, a kids zone, face painting, puppet shows and more from 4-9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 4 at the Palatka Riverfront.

St. Johns County

• Fireworks Over the Matanzas (St. Augustine): City/visitor-bureau promoted concert + fireworks over the bayfront. 6–9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 4 (fireworks 9 p.m.) at St. Augustine bayfront/downtown waterfront area, St. Augustine.

Union County

• July 4 celebration (Lake Butler): Live music, waterslides, face paiting, food trucks and more, starting at 8 a.m., Saturday, July 4 at Lakeside Park in Lake Butler.

GEORGIA

Camden County

• St. Marys July 4 festival + fireworks (St. Marys): Festival-style celebration from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 4, with a parade and fireworks over the St. Marys River at St. Marys waterfront.

Glynn County

• Beach Village carnival: Bounce houses, carnival rides, face painting and more from 2-7 p.m., Friday, July 3 a Beach Village.
• Jekyll Island concerts and fireworks (Jekyll Island): Live music on the Turtle Stage in Beach Village from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at 9 p.m., Saturday, July 4.

Ware County

• Waycross America 250: Field of Honor (Dedication Ceremony): America 250 commemorative dedication ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 4 at 2401 Knight Ave., Waycross.
• Waycross July 4th Celebration / 4th of July Spectacular (Waycross): Downtown celebration with live music, food/arts vendors, inflatables/family activities + fireworks finale. 12–10 p.m., Saturday, July 4 (fireworks at dusk) at Downtown Waycross (Pendleton Street).

If your city/county has an event that we do not have listed, please email the information to webteam@wjxt.com.