Patriotic party

Longboat Key’s annual Freedom Fest celebration will offer good old-fashioned Fourth of July fun with a patriotic parade, food and games. And the good times will also be available at old-fashioned prices: All drinks and food items will be $1, and game tickets will be four for $1.

The festivities begin at 9 a.m. Sunday, July 4, with a patriotic parade at Bicentennial Park. Kids, parents and pets are invited to get into the spirit by wearing their favorite red, white and blue attire and decorating their bikes, wagons and faces.

The celebration will continue with old-fashioned games, such as egg races and balloon tosses, and food items, such as pancakes, waffles and sausages. In addition, the Longboat Key Garden Club will coordinate a butterfly release with more than 50 butterflies.

The event is hosted by the Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by The Longboat Observer, Cannons Marina, the town of Longboat Key, Blue Dolphin Café, Casa del Mar and Pattigeorge’s.

“It’s a great, old-fashioned celebration,” said Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce Executive Assistant Dawn Mims.

For information, call 383-2466.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected]