What a blast! Vero basks in Fourth fest and fireworks
Debbie Carson
Riverside Park was awash in red, white and blue last Thursday in celebration of our nation’s birthday at a star-spangled afternoon of family, fun and fireworks.
Families gathered for the 4th of July Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks early in the day, staking out choice spots in the park where they passed the time pitching tents, tailgating and visiting with friends, as youngsters splashed in wading pools to keep the heat at bay.
More than 10,000 people were expected to attend the old-fashioned, patriotic blowout, which was reminiscent of days gone by.
The festivities got started earlier than in prior years to allow more family time for the little ones to play in the children’s play area, visit the petting zoo, jump in the always-popular bounce house, try their best to keep Hula Hoops aloft or stroll through a unique butterfly feeding tent.
Attendees were entertained by bands playing throughout the day as they quenched their thirst at the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association Beer tent or dined at one of many food trucks on site. As dusk descended all eyes were skyward as fireworks lit up the night with a little extra oomph in honor of the City Centennial.
Festival sponsors included Treasure and Space Coast Radio and Cleveland Clinic, with firework sponsors Indian River County, the City of Vero Beach and Mulligan’s.
Photos by: Kaila Jones
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Garrett Abernathy prepares kettle corn at the Independence Day Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
Kyleigh Brown peers through an opening of an inflatable bounce house in the children’s play area at the Independence Day Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
People secure their spots for the Independence Day Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
Kyleigh Brown slides down and inflatable water slide in the children’s play area at the Independence Day Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
Ella Young snacks on Cheetos while a band performs for a crowd waiting for the Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
Easton Brown jumps on an inflatable bounce house at the Independence Day Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
Liam Dean, 3, jumps on a water slide in the children’s play area at the Independence Day Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
People secure their spots and wait for the fireworks show at the Independence Day Celebration at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
Lila Marquez at the Independence Day Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
Connor Mcilvaine in an interactive butterfly tent where children were able to feed butterflies at the Independence Day Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
Chris and Madison Young at the Independence Day Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
Nicholas Kennedy tries to land a butterfly on his sponge at the Independence Day Celebration and Vero Beach Centennial Fireworks show at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla., July 4, 2019. [Kaila Jones/32963]
