Freedom Festival features fun time for the Fourth

He’s ready for action. We received official word from the mouth of Uncle Sam himself — Longboat Key’s Jim Seaton — that he can’t wait to resume his role as Uncle Sam for the Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce’s Freedom Festival this year.

The festival starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 4, with a parade down Bay Isles Road. Kids can decorate their bikes and themselves, then strut their stuff down the street — patriotic pets are welcome, as well.

A butterfly release takes place at 9:30 a.m. at the Longboat Key Garden Club’s butterfly garden, in Bicentennial Park. During the event, festival goers can snack on breakfast items from Harry’s Continental Kitchens, Ciao Italia! and Blue Dolphin Café and play a variety of games. Food and games tickets will be sold at the park.

This year’s leading sponsor is The Longboat Observer. Additional sponsors are the town of Longboat Key, Cannons Marina, Casa del Mar and the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key.