VERO BEACH — Families began trickling in during the late afternoon hours and grew to a steady ground swell as crowds converged on Riverside Park for Vero’s Fourth of July Family Fun and Fireworks event, hosted by the City of Vero Beach Recreation Department and Mulligan’s Beach House.
While fireworks have been a tradition for many years, this was the third year that visitors were enticed out early for some down-home fun. Children enjoyed face painting, train rides, and a number of inflatable bounce houses – including a bungee run, inflatable slide and obstacle course.
For the adults, there were food vendors, a sprinkling of booths selling arts and crafts and, for the very first time, alcohol sales of beer and wine.
Due to budget cutbacks, Vero Beach fireworks were on the chopping block three years ago until Mulligan’s stepped in. Each year since then they have donated $10,000 to the City to continue the impressive Independence Day tradition, plus another $2,000 toward Halloween and Easter events.
“George [Mulligan’s owner George Hart] likes to support family events,” said Angie Schepers, marketing and events coordinator. “I do a lot with the City and I knew they were hurting. We’re hoping to have more sponsors next year. We’d like some local bands playing all day long; we’d like to see it become an all-day thing.”
Ten-year old Wyatt Falardeau said he was looking forward to the “Wind Jammer” bounce house, but took time out to relate the significance of the July Fourth holiday.
“It’s America’s birthday. It’s important because people wanted to build a brand new country,” said Wyatt, adding. “People believe in the president and God.”
Treasure and Space Coast Radio radio personalities Hamp Elliott, Geoff Moore and Dana Daniels of 93.7 The Breeze cranked up the music to entertain the crowd and get them up off their lawn chairs for a little dancing. Later in the evening the station provided a radio simulcast for the spectacular Zambelli Internationale fireworks display.
“This is my first time here; I’ve only been in Vero a year.” said Cheryl Kennedy, attending the event with Patrick Del Prete and friends from West Palm Beach. “I’m looking forward to the fireworks.”
Members of the Vero Beach Church of Christ Young Adult Ministry were among those who staked out one of the limited number of pavilions by the Lagoon early in the day – as in 6:30 a.m.
Of the anticipated crowd, Schepers said, “By the time the fireworks start, there is usually about 25,000 people in the park. I think it’s a great family event.”
One awed little boy couldn’t have agreed more, joining in on oodles of oohs and ahhsand exclaiming, “Look Mommy, there’s colors in the sky!”
In addition to those in the park, thousands more enjoyed the fireworks from strategic vantage points on both sides of the Lagoon, on boats and kayaks in the water, and all along the bridges.