Jacksonville lights up, revs up and kicks up the volume in an array of Independence Day 2008 events across the First Coast. Join the celebration from the roadways to the waterways.
Jacksonville Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks, July 4-5
Photo © City of Jacksonville
The City of Jacksonville presents two days of festivities including free-admission, outdoor concerts by country music artists John Rich, Cowboy Troy, Joe Nichols and The Road Hammers at Metropolitan Park. The Veterans Memorial Arena hosts the Red, White & Brrr Ice Skating Show. The night wraps with spectacular sky show: fireworks shot from barges on the St. Johns River, strobing on the Main Street and Acosta bridges, and a parade of boats brightly decorated boats.
Freedom Ride 2008, July 4
Photo © City of Jacksonville / Adamec Harley-Davidson
Adamec Harley-Davidson and the City of Jacksonville rev things up with Freedom Ride 2008, a police-escorted ride from Adamec's Baymeadows location to Metropolitan Park. Riders get VIP access to the Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks concerts. It's all for a good cause. Proceeds benefit the Police Athletic League.
Fourth of July Celebration at The Jacksonville Landing, July 4
Photo © The Jacksonville Landing
Enjoy live entertainment in The Jacksonville Landing courtyard starting at 11:00 a.m. Performers include Palmetto Cats, Freeze Frame, Navy Band SE Wind Ensemble and Cloud 9. The Jacksonville Landing offers one of the best views of the downtown fireworks show.
Family Freedom Fest at Kids Kampus, July 4
Photo © Visit Jacksonville
Family Freedom Fest offers a kid-friendly celebration for youth ages 12 and under with Americana-esque activities including a water bucket relay and watermelon seed spitting contest. A local belly dancing troupe will perform and give free lessons.
Summer Movie Classics: "Yankee Doodle Dandy," July 6
Photo courtesy The Florida Theatre
The Florida Theatre's Summer Movie Classics presents "Yankee Doodle Dandy," the 1941 Hollywood hit starring James Cagney. This black-and-white biopic tells the story of composer, singer and dancer George M. Cohan from his early days as a child star in his family's vaudeville show to his spectacular comeback honored with a Presidential medal for his special contributions to the U.S.
4th of July Liberty Celebration at Jacksonville Beach
Sink your feet in the sand and take in a full day of entertainment, including live music by the St. Johns River City Band Satin Swing Band, Sugar Bear and Diggin’ Rhythm N’ Brass; skydivers and fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean.Fort Clinch Union Garrison, July 5-7
Though it happens the first weekend of each month, the Fort Clinch Union Garrison takes on a particularly patriotic feel during Independence Day weekend and is well worth the drive to Amelia Island for history buffs. Living history interpreters decked out in period-accurate garb recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War between the States. See powder artillery demonstrations, marching drills and laundry, infirmary and kitchen duties just the way they did it all more than a century ago.Gilbert Stuart's George Washington at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Photo © Gilbert Stuart (American, 1755 – 1828), George Washington, c. 1803
The father of our nation hits the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens just in time for Independence Day. Artist Gilbert Stuart's famously unfinished portrait, The Athenaeum Washington, originally was painted in 1796. Stuart created more than 100 replicas during his lifetime. His 1803 copy now calls the Cummer home.