Nathan Benderson Park

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Thank you for your support!
Visit Sarasota County Bradenton Area Sports

This Thursday, get ready to move with sweatsanity! Free dance fitness classes at the playground pavilion! Every 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:00 AM.
Come sweat, smile, and have fun with an energizing, all-levels dance workout in a great outdoor setting.
Bring your water, bring a friend and let’s dance!
University Town Center - UTC
The Mall at UTC

❤️🤍💙 What. A. Night. 💙🤍❤️ From 5pm start to the spectacular, 18 min fireworks finish, Fireworks on the Lake, presented by The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota did not disappoint!

The weather was spectacular all night long. Excitement filled every inch of NBP, from breathtaking performances on land to dragon boat races & water ski show igniting the lake. Over 15,000 families gathered to celebrate our nation’s birthday with live music from Sugar Vibe, the Pops Orchestra’s patriotic concert, & Der Dutchman Sarasota Apple Pie Eating Contest.

Families enjoyed the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium kids zone. 14 dazzling, patriotic custom-made photo ops by Oh What Fun Party Co. brought our sponsors & the America 250 energy to life throughout the park. Veteran Air “Red, white & cool” tent took care of guests on the ground while Trademark Roofing “raised the roof” with a penthouse party at the top of the tower. Linder Turf & Tractor - Bradenton showed up big with multiple tractors for the kids to climb aboard. ER at Fruitville brought a high fever party energy. Alpha Law Group, PLLC. protected our freedom & handed out tons of community giveaways.

Sunshine Movers took care of all the heavy lifting for Pops orchestra, making their 50+ musicians performance possible. Terry's Plumbing, Air & Energy kept freedom flowing through the very last firework. Forayna Watercolor Place kept us refreshed & charged. ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB captured all the excitement on their live broadcast.

View the full album of photos from the evening below from 19 Shots Photography. Thank you to all our sponsors for making this a historic celebration.

250th at NBP EDITED PICS · Friday, Jul 3 📸 Shared album · Tap to view!

Thank you for the great article, Your Observer!

Fireworks might have been the finale Friday night at Nathan Benderson Park, but the Independence Day celebration was full of highlights.
https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2026/jul/04/nathan-benderson-park-goes-big-for-fireworks-on-the-lake/

Happy 4th! Thank you to everyone who joined us last night to kickoff the holiday at Fireworks on the Lake, presented by The Pops Orchestra. Big thank you to all our sponsors, especially Alpha Law Group Linder Industrial Machinery Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Oh, What Fun! Party Co. Veteran Air Terry’s Plumbing, Air & Energy Trademark Roofing Forayna Watercolor Place Mote Marine Lab & Aquarium Visit Sarasota County Floridacentral Credit Union Anna Maria Oyster Bar Thermal Concepts Bintelli Golf Carts Sunshine Movers of Sarasota SpeedPro Sarasota Tommy’s Express Car Wash Royal Tees Screen Printing Pellucid Travel | Group Housing Solutions Raining Berries UTC Sarasota Siesta Key Rum Der Dutchman Sarasota BayFirst SunCoast Blood Centers Detwiler's Farm Market

💥 THE COUNTDOWN IS OVER! Tonight is the night! 🇺🇸🎆

Grab your lawn chairs and blankets, because the 10th Annual Fireworks on the Lake – America 250 Celebration Presented by The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota is happening TONIGHT! Get ready for an incredible evening of live music, delicious food trucks, family fun, and a massive fireworks finale over the water at 9:20pm. The entire event goes on rain or shine.

Here is everything you need to know before you head out:
🗓️ WHEN: Tonight, Friday, July 3rd
⏰ GATES OPEN: 5:00 PM
🎆 FIREWORKS SHOW: 9:20 PM
🎶 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Live music by local favorite Sugar Vibe!
5:45-6:35 PM: Dragon Boat Racing
6:45-7:05PM: Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM: A spectacular, live patriotic soundtrack provided by our Presenting Sponsor, The Pops Orchestra!

📺 CANT MAKE IT IN PERSON? Catch the live broadcast and special coverage on ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB beginning at 8pm.

92.1 CTQ - Lulu & Maverick will be here raffling off Luke Bryan tickets. Der Dutchman will be hosting an apple pie eating contest at 7:30pm. Sign up at their tent upon arrival. Only 10 contestants!

🚗 PARKING & ADMISSION INFO: General Admission is FREE!

Parking is a paid fee ($25–$40 depending on the lot). ⚠️ 🚨 REMINDER: Buy your parking passes online right now at FireworksOnTheLake.com to scan and get in/out quickly! Parking passes are also available at the event.

🚲 FREE OPTIONS: Walking, biking, or ride-share drop-offs are completely FREE!

🙌 A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR INCREDIBLE SPONSORS! This historic celebration is made possible by our amazing community partners.

🎼 Presenting Sponsor & Featured Performers: The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota
🌟 Our Fantastic Sponsors & Partners: Trademark Roofing | Alpha Law Group, PLLC. | Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (Check out the Mote Kids Zone!) | Oh What Fun Party Co. Veteran Air | Terry's Plumbing, Air & Energy | Sunshine Movers Bintelli Golf Carts Forayna Watercolor Place Linder Turf & Tractor - Bradenton

See you by the lake tonight, Suncoast! Let's celebrate America's 250th with a bang! 🔴⚪🔵

FAQ For NBP Fireworks on the Lake - America 250, Presented by The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton & Sarasota

We are just ONE DAY AWAY from Fireworks on the Lake, July 3, Presented by The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota. Here is everything you need to know before you go and important reminders:

- Gates Open at 5pm. Fireworks show begins at 9:20pm.

- General Admission is FREE. If you are using public/private transportation, walking or biking, there is no charge to enter and enjoy the event.

- Parking is paid and charged per carload. You can purchase parking passes in advance (strongly recommended) www.fireworksonthelake.com or onsite at the event. Parking is limited. Parking lot options include:
⭐ Regatta Island - Best parking option for those with accessibility/handicapped needs and who want to be closest to all the event activities.

⭐ Homewood Suites Lot - 10 minute walk to Regatta Island

⭐South Entrance - 20 minute walk to Regatta Island. RV parking available here.

Allowed items:
- Water bottles
- Small coolers
- Blankets & chairs (Encouraged to watch the band & Pops)
- Pets (on a 6 ft leash. Note: This is a loud environment)

Prohibited Items:
- No glass
- No outside fireworks
- No open fires

🎟️VIP Tickets: SOLD OUT
At the tower - Ground floor, 2nd floor, 5th floor & Trademark Roofing Raise the Roof Party on Floor 6. Food & beverages included as well as parking on Regatta Island. Just show your QR code to enter the island and again at the entrance to the VIP party for your bracelet. **If you are bringing chairs/blankets for the Pops concert, you can leave them in the alcove, ground floor, under the stairs at the tower at your own risk. NBP is not responsible for items lost or stolen.**

Event Timeline:
🎆 5-7:30pm: Sugar Vibe performs on main stage
🎆 5-7:15pm: Sign up for the Apple Pie eat contest Der Dutchman Sarasota tent
🎆 5:45-6:35: Dragon boat races on the lake
🎆 6:45-7:05pm: Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team
🎆 7:30pm: Apple pie eating contest on main stage
🎆 8:00pm - 9:38pm: Pops Orchestra Patriotic concert on second stage
🎆 9:20pm: Fireworks show begins from middle of the lake. 18 minute show

Food Trucks on-site to purchase food & beverages from:
🍺Gecko's Grill & Pub
💫Lemonade Couple
💫 Big Chef
💫 DonutNV
💫 Hamiltons
💫 Tiki Island Concessions
💫Purple Bol
💫 Fire & Flour
💫 Carousels
💫 Chick-Fil-A
💫 One Stop
💫 Travelin' Toms

Enjoy these specialty vendors in the Playground Parking Lot, W. Shore:
💫 SipnBrewco
💫 Uncle Phils Organic Popcorn

Home | Fireworks on the Lake Friday, July 3, 2026 Gates open at 5pm. Live music starts at 5pm with the band, Sugar Vibe, who will play until 8pm. From 8-9:30pm, the Pops Orchestra will be playing a patriotic concert, which can be heard throughout the fireworks show. Fireworks begin at 9:15pm, set off from the mid-point of the l...

🏙️🎆 Ready to RAISE THE ROOF?

The hottest VIP party at Fireworks on the Lake isn’t on the ground… it’s 6 stories up! 🔥

VIPs- Head to the Finish Tower Rooftop Pavilion and join Melissa Weiman and the Trademark Roofing team for the ultimate rooftop celebration!

✨ Snap a photo at their exclusive VIP photo op
🎁 Score fun giveaways
🍹 Grab your favorite drink on Floor 5 before heading upstairs
🎶 Enjoy great music and an unbeatable party atmosphere
🌬️ Feel the cool lake breeze
🌅 Take in breathtaking 360° views of UTC, downtown Sarasota, and Nathan Benderson Park
🎇 Then watch the spectacular 18-minute fireworks show from one of the most incredible vantage points on the Suncoast!

This isn’t just a VIP area… it’s where the party goes sky-high.

🎟️ Located at the tower in VIP area- don’t miss your chance to Raise the Roof with Trademark Roofing! Trademark Roofing Linder Industrial Machinery The Pops Orchestra Sunshine Movers of Sarasota ABC7 Sarasota Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Oh, What Fun! Party Co. Brea Lakewood Ranch Forayna Watercolor Place Mote Marine Lab & Aquarium Floridacentral Credit Union Anna Maria Oyster Bar Gecko's Grill & Pub Thermal Concepts Terry’s Plumbing, Air & Energy Visit Sarasota County SunCoast Blood Centers BayFirst

Thank you to Suncoast View for having us and our incredible partners Der Dutchman Sarasota on today for a mock apple pie eating contest to prep for the real competition at NBP Fireworks on the Lake - America 250, Presented by The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton & Sarasota this Friday, July 3. Time is running out! Purchase your parking passes now.

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2026/07/01/fireworks-lake-america-250-apple-pie-contest-nathan-benderson-park/
The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Linder Turf & Tractor - Bradenton Alpha Law Group, PLLC. Terry's Plumbing, Air & Energy Trademark Roofing Bradenton Area Sports

Fireworks on the Lake – America 250: Apple pie contest at Nathan Benderson Park Der Dutchman sponsors apple pie eating contest; winner takes home Carlisle Inn Sarasota staycation

☀️🔥 Worried about the Florida heat this Friday? We’ve got you covered… literally! 😎🇺🇸

At Fireworks on the Lake, you can stay Red, White & COOL thanks to the Veteran Air Cooling & Shade Tent!

❄️ Take a break from the sun
💨 Cool off with refreshing misting fans
🪑 Relax in the shade
💙 Recharge before all the fireworks fun begins!

The Veteran Air Cooling & Shade Tent is FREE and open to all guests throughout the event, so stop in anytime to beat the heat and get back to making unforgettable memories.

🎆 We’ll keep the fireworks hot… you stay cool!

📍 Nathan Benderson Park
📅 Friday, July 3