INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Starting with a 5k run and parade in Sebastian and finishing with fireworks displays in both Sebastian and Vero Beach, thousands of Indian River County residents will have plenty to do to celebrate America’s birthday – beyond the beach and backyard barbecues.
Sebastian will host its 42nd annual Freedom Festival, which gets started with a 5K race to benefit the Substance Awareness Council leaving from Riverview Park on US 1 at County Road 512/Sebastian Boulevard at 7 a.m.
For those not interested in kicking off the Fourth of July with a run, an opening ceremony will be held at Memorial Park within Riverview Park, near the Splash Pad, at 8 a.m. Old Glory will be raised in honor of the holiday.
Following the ceremony, the parade will begin around 8:30 a.m., starting at the Sebastian Community Center and Sebastian Masonic Lodge on Jackson Street. The route follows Jackson to Davis Street and then turns south on Indian River Drive to Riverview Park.
Shortly after the parade, there will be an Apple Pie Baking Contest, held at the main pavilion at Riverview Park, where six winners will be selected. The winners of the various parade float contests will also be announced.
Those wishing to participate in the contest are encouraged to bring their pie to the pavilion between 10 and 11:30 a.m. Call (772) 388-2966 or email corumc@bellsouth.net for more information.
Riverview Park will be busy with numerous activities all day long leading up to the fireworks finale. Vendors will have booths set up with various items for sale and information available about their organization.
There will also be several contests, including watermelon-eating and Hula Hooping.
The fireworks show, seen from just about anywhere along the river, will begin around 9 p.m.
In Vero Beach, the Fourth of July Family Fun and Fireworks event will get going at 5 p.m. at Riverside Park.
Activities will include children’s bounce houses, face painting, and rides on the Fireman’s Express Choo Choo.
Food, drink and art vendors will be on hand with items for sale.
The fireworks show, put on by Zambelli Internationale, will take place with a radio simulcast by the New 93.7 The Breeze at about 9 p.m. The show is expected to last about 20 minutes and can be seen at the park, along the bridges, and from the businesses at Royal Palm Pointe and others nearby.
Personal fireworks and firecrackers are not allowed at either park.