Fourth of July fireworks in Alachua Florida

Display Location: ALACHUA, FL

State: Florida

Date: July 4th, 9:45 p.m.

Show contact: Traci Cain

Event website:

Fireworks display company:

The city of Alachua’s Fourth of July celebration usually attracts more than 10,000 people, but this year the event may attract a lot more than usual.

That’s because the city’s fireworks show, an impressive display that usually lasts a half hour, may be the only fireworks this year in the Crescent Communities and even in the county.

“We really expect a big turnout this year,” said Alachua Human Resources Director and Assistant City Manager Traci Cain.

Cain said that she thinks Alachua is the only local city that will be putting on a fireworks display.

A High Springs Chamber official said that High Springs will not be having fireworks due to a lack of funding. The city of Gainesville has no fireworks listed on its monthly calendar.

Cain said that the city has been planning the event since February.

She expects almost 100 vendor booths to be set up around the Hal Brady Recreation Center.

The celebration will start at noon, with a free “Kid’s Corner” that will include water activities such as a “roaring river slide” and a “tropical slide,” Cain said.

There will also be “giant trikes,” beach volleyball, a train, a speed pitch area and a petting zoo.

Inside the air-conditioned gymnasium, there will be a fashion show, a performance by the Senior Cha-Chas and performances by Bill Rodgers and many other bands.

A rib eating contest will start at 6:45 p.m., with ribs from Newberry’s Backyard Bar-B-Q.

And the grand finale, the fireworks display, will start at 9:45 p.m.

The City Commission praised Cain for her hard work.

“You must be doing something right,” Mayor Bonnie Burgess said, “because everyone else is shutting their (fireworks) down.”