Downtown Lake Worth has two days of free events planned July 4 and 5, including everything from raft races, contests, picnics, music, fireworks and fire lanterns.
July 4 starts with the Great American Raft Race. Come out to root for a favorite team of weird and wacky creations that serve as human flotation devices. Herman Robinson, coordinator of the event, makes sure all vessels launch and wend their way across the pond.
Enjoy a day of picnicking, socializing, music and fireworks at Bryant Park. The park will be filled with vendors and great entertainment. The fun begins at noon. Fireworks take place at 9 p.m.
On Friday, July 5, the Downtown Cultural Alliance will celebrate its fourth annual Holiday Explosion. Evening on the Avenue begins at 6 p.m. with celebrations in the Downtown Cultural Plaza at J Street and Lucerne Avenue between L Street and M Street. Bands and live music, dancing in the streets, pie baking and watermelon contests, and Haitian drummers will take place throughout the downtown area.
A full list of events will be posted on the DCA Facebook page, the LULA web site and the Clay-Glass-Metal-Stone web site. The evening ends at 9 p.m. with the launch of lit paper peace lanterns into the sky to end the holiday weekend. Other events include:
Clay-Glass-Metal-Stone-Gallery will grill corn on the cob, prepare tropical foods and feature a nautical exhibit with boats, shells and Florida’s natural fauna.
At Coastars, local performers will provide a non-ending evening of music and entertainment. The store will give out free iced coffee samples and pastries.
Fat Sal’s will give away Italian food samples. Buy one/get one half-off subs will also be offered.
Bring home-baked pies to the South Shores Tavern at 4 p.m. for the fourth annual pie-baking contest. Chefs at La Bonne Bouche, the Cottage and South Shores will judge the contest, along with Mayor Pam Triola. Judging takes place at 5 p.m. Prize baskets will be awarded for the top pies.
Paws on the Avenue on Lake Avenue will host a pig-kissing booth. Get a smooch with her and have a photo taken at the same time. The Bees Knees is sponsoring a turtle race, while the Sunflower Room will give away cold beer and sparklers to the first 76 visitors.
There will also be a watermelon-eating contest at Cultural Plaza. Try for a chance to win a gift basket. There might also be a pit-spitting contest depending on the prowess of the contestants who show up for the event.
Live bands throughout the evening will end with Tou Rouj, a Haitian drumming group.
For more information, contact Andy Amoroso at Studio 205 at (561) 533-5272 or Joyce Brown at 15 South J Street at (215) 205-9441.
