On Independence Day, people filled the Plant City Stadium for the City of Plant City’s 4th of July Celebration. The only cost was $5 to park, and more than 5,000 people came out for the festivities. Several vendors set up on the stadium field so parents could let their kids eat, run through an obstacle course, jump in a bounce house, play yard games and get their faces painted. The event held a raffle in which the winner got half of the money from raffle ticket sales.
One of the 5,000 was Visaille Viliery, who lives in Tampa. He was in Plant City on the fourth, heard that fireworks were going to be launched, and decided to head over to the stadium for the show.
The fireworks were originally set to begin at 9:15, but because of rain on the way, the show began at 9:05 instead. Plant City Police Department (PCPD) officers pointed people toward the stands early, so they could be there for the best view. To begin the program, students from the Strawberry Crest Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps marched flags onto the field. Little Miss Plant City queen and court led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Then Tyler White, from “Love on the Spectrum,” sang the National Anthem.
“We weren’t sure if the weather was going to hold up,” John Burnett said. “But it is our local town and we wanted to come out,”
“We are from Brandon,” Jacob Flitter said. “We are here because it came highly recommended. It’s nice that there is a place near Tampa where you can go and enjoy the Fourth affordably in a family-friendly atmosphere that takes care of all age groups. And wheelchair accessibility is key for us.”
Fireworks are too dangerous to be inside the stadium near the crowd, or to be launched by non-professionals, so the city contracted with a fireworks vendor that set up launchers at the adjacent Randy Larson 4 Plex, “About six minutes into the fireworks show, a firework barrel tipped over and there were a few misfires that shot out horizontally instead of into the air,” Director of Parks and Recreation Julie Garretson, said. “That caused a small fire that was put out immediately. But the fire caused damage to the remaining fireworks, and the show had to come to a stop early. No one was injured, and no property was damaged.”
Well, the fireworks were spectacular while they lasted, and the activities on the field were fun. There is a possibility of a future make-up fireworks show. But that hasn’t yet been decided. If such a show is scheduled, stay tuned to the “Plant City Observer” or the Plant City Parks & Recreation Facebook page for a date and time.
