By Erin Davisson
America’s birthday is coming up, and what better way to commemorate Independence Day than by spending time with friends and family at the free Fourth of July celebrations in Wellington or Royal Palm Beach?
In the Village of Royal Palm Beach, the Star-Spangled Spectacular will be held at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park. The event starts at 4 p.m. with plenty of fun and food preceding the fireworks display at 9 p.m.
There will also be an early morning fishing tournament, the Mayor’s Firecracker Golf Tournament, which will be held at the Madison Green Golf Club, sports tournaments like volleyball and the growing competitive sport of cornhole, plus the popular Kids’ Fun Zone for children.
Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio said that there will be a ticket booth for the Kids’ Fun Zone. “It will be on site,” he explained. “The kids will need wristbands to enter the Kids’ Fun Zone.”
The tasty and varied menus of the gourmet food truck expo with more than 20 options will be there for anyone who wants a bite to eat.
Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets, relax and enjoy the music. A DJ will spin favorites, and live music will be performed by the local high school band, as well as two area groups playing Top 40 songs and hits from the 1980s.
“There will be a salute to all the branches of military service before the fireworks begin, and we will also be performing the national anthem as well,” Recchio said.
The Zambelli Fireworks International display caps off the day.
Parking is available throughout the Commons Park, but it is recommended that you show up early. There will be shuttle bus services starting at 4 p.m. Learn more at www.royalpalmbeach.com.
In the Village of Wellington, the day begins with a Patriotic Pool Party at the Wellington Aquatics Complex from noon to 5 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. by the Fourth of July Celebration at Village Park on Pierson Road.
The Gypsy Lane Band will perform live, playing reggae, soul, Motown and more.
There will also be a Kids’ Fun Zone with bounce houses, free face painting, a petting zoo and pony rides. Super Crazy Games will be available to play, including hamster ball, human bowling, tire stack race, gladiator and parachute madness.
Community Programs Manager Michelle Garvey is excited about the upcoming event.
“Everything at this year’s event is free,” she said. “The only thing people have to pay for is the food from the food trucks. We look forward to this event, and we hope everyone will have a wonderful time.”
At approximately 9:15 p.m., the national anthem will be sung by Wellington Idol winner Carly Cantor. Then the Zambelli Fireworks International show will begin with a bang.
The event is being supported by sponsors, including the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, the Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute and Christ Community Church.
Limited parking is available at Village Park. Shuttle service to and from Village Park will be available starting at 5:30 p.m. leaving from Nordstrom at the Mall at Wellington Green.
For more information, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/july4th.
