Fireworks, music, talent show headline Sebring's Fourth of July celebration
Benjamin Duer
SEBRING – Whatever your talent, you can showcase it July 4 at Southside Park.
The annual Fourth of July celebration starts with a race at 8:30 a.m. and ends with fireworks at 10 p.m. In between, there will be plenty of games, food and music to enjoy.
In addition, a new feature, Sebring's Got Talent, will begin at 1 p.m. and offers people who sign up the opportunity to perform.
More:Boom! Here's where to find Fourth of July fireworks in Canton region
"It doesn't necessarily have to be singing," said Sebring Village Parks Director Melinda Eckert. "The sky really is the limit."
The pool also will have free swim and water contests.
Sam Barnhouse, co-chairman of Sebring Friends of the Park, which organizes the event, said New Wave Nation will perform at 7 p.m., and there will be food vendors available for concessions.
No outside food or drinks are permitted. Most of the vendors accept cash only. The food available for sale will include hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries and barbecue.
Eckert said the fireworks display was funded through several community donations. "We had so much support for the fireworks display," she said.
Here's when events start
After an opening ceremony at 7:45 a.m., activities for the Fourth of July celebration begin with the 5K Firecracker Run at 8:30 a.m.
Here's what follows:
- 10 a.m. – Volleyball, Junior Olympics (ages 1-3)
- 10:30 a.m. – Junior Olympics (ages 4-6)
- 11 a.m. – Junior Olympics (ages 7-9), KCB Express, 3-on-3 basketball tournament and the Ray Heverly Memorial Softball Game (Police vs. Fire)
- 11:30 a.m. – Junior Olympics (ages 10-12)
- Noon – Free open swim (Ends at 2 p.m.)
- 1 p.m. – Sebring's Got Talent
- 2:30 p.m. – Pool games
- 3 p.m. – Baseball and softball skills competition (split age levels)
- 4 p.m. – Cornhole tournament and bike parade
- 7 p.m. – New Wave Nation (Ends at 10 p.m.)
- 10 p.m. – Fireworks
Barnhouse said registration is required for the volleyball, basketball, talent show and cornhole tournament. Entry fee for the talent show and cornhole is $25. Sign up at https://sebringbusinessassociations.com/4th-of-july.
While registration for the talent show must be done before the holiday, signups for other events can be done July 4. "It's really a day for people to come out and do different things," Barnhouse said.
Eckert said a chalk art competition – not listed on the schedule – is planned, and youth dancers from the Art in Motion Dance Academy will take stage and perform.
"Everybody takes pride in this town, and the Fourth is a great way for everybody to just connect, bridge those generational gaps, and get everyone involved," she said.
Return of normalcy
Like others, Eckert and Barnhouse said this year's Fourth of July celebration returns some normalcy to the summer after two years of COVID-19 and its impact on events.
"It was super important for me, the Friends of the Park and the Park Board to have something this year that was going to be very memorable," Eckert said, "and overall was a good time."
Other area fireworks
Here's a look at other organized fireworks displays near the Sebring area:
Alliance - Fireworks will begin at dusk. July 4 at Silver Park. The John Hampu Band will perform at 6.
Columbiana - Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. July 4 at Firestone Park; full day of activities and contests starts at 9 a.m. Chris Higbee will perform at 8 p.m.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP.