Your Special Orlando-Area Independence Day 2017 Preview By Josh Garrick 

Central Florida is virtually ‘exploding’ with ways to make this Independence Day one of the most memorable ever for your entire family. Whether you are on vacation – or this is a ‘stay-cation,’ there are more choices than ever to look to the skies and exclaim, “Oh say, can you see??” 

via GIPHY

Appropriately beginning in this “Land of the Free,” three of the most exciting fireworks displays are FREE: 

July 3 – Altamonte Springs’ Annual “Red Hot & Boom Celebration” 

Take six hot, internationally-known recording artists, mix in 150,000 people decked out in red, white, and blue and light up the night with more than 15,000 fireworks and you get the annual “Red Hot & Boom” festival at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte. This FREE family-friendly event, with live music, food and an incredible fireworks show will see the first act take the stage at 4 pm with music continuing after the fireworks show. Celebrate the true spirit of America in this FREE rain or shine event. Visit UptownAltamonte.com/RHB

July 3 – Baldwin Park FREE ‘Independence Day Bash’ 

With the Street Festival beginning at 6 pm and the Fireworks set for 9:15pm, the action will center around 4990 New Broad Street in Baldwin Park in this FREE ‘Independence Day’ event. Blankets will be spread long before 9:15 pm for the best view of the fantastic Zambelli Fireworks show over Lake Baldwin. Village Center will feature artisans, food trucks, a beer garden, face painting, and a Main Stage near the lake with live music from Baldwin Park's own ROOM2 BAND. Audubon Park Elementary will be a free parking lot. Visit baldwinparkevents.com 

July 4 – May the Fourth Be With You! 

There can never be too many fireworks – right? So join Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer on July 4 at Lake Eola Park. ‘Fireworks over the Fountain’ is always spectacular, and this is the 40th annual ‘Fireworks at the Fountain,’ so we can expect extra wonderfulness this year. Festivities begin at 4 pm with activities for children, live music, and food, with the fireworks display over Lake Eola at 9:10 pm. If you can’t be there in person, the fireworks will be broadcast live on WKMG News 6. Visit cityoforlando.net/fireworks 

… and at the THEME PARKS: 

Knight Lights at LEGOLAND Florida 

Enjoy extended park hours, unique LEGO light displays, and ‘meet-n-greet’ opportunities with LEGO’s heroic Nexo Knights. The fireworks show over Lake Eloise that ends your day will feature a special patriotic show for THIS 4th of July. Visit legoland.com/florida

Independence Day at SeaWorld 

At Seaworld, “Kraken Unleashed” is now open offering a new virtual reality experience aboard SeaWorld’s famous floorless coaster, and in a special July 4 offering, SeaWorld Orlando will present a special 4th of July “Reflections Show,” featuring extra fireworks timed to patriotic music. Visit seaworld.com/orlando 

July 4 at Universal Orlando Resort 

At Universal, Harry Potter is working his magic to offer guests a special version of their popular “Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular,” a cinematic adventure that combines projection technology with lasers and pyrotechnics to bring movies to life. Visit universalorlando.com, but there are so special listings for July 4. 

Independence Day at Walt Disney World Resort 

World famous for spectacular fireworks every day of the year, Disney offers an extraordinary array of choices on this July 4th as "Disney's Celebrate America!– A 4th of July Concert in the Sky" at the Magic Kingdom begins at 9 pm. The holiday-inspired "IllumiNations: Reflections of the Earth" at Epcot begins at 10 pm, and a special 4th of July fireworks presentation at Disney's Hollywood Studios also begins at 10 pm. Better have your ‘family council’ make that decision early! Visit disneyworld.disney.go.com

Specials on Theme Park Tickets

You can find kiosks at a variety of places offering specials on theme park tickets, but Visit Orlando is the official seller of Orlando attractions tickets. You can save time and money on Orlando’s theme parks, attractions, sporting events and dinner shows – all at one location. Visit visitorlando.com. There’s even an app for that. 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators