• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

PHOTO GALLERY : Freedom Fest


  • By Yaryna Klimchak
  • | 4:00 a.m. July 4, 2013
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY : Freedom Fest
Blaise Fluker, 21 months, rides in a wagon in the parade.
Blaise Fluker, 21 months, rides in a wagon in the parade.
Cannons Marina Owner David Miller waves to the crowd as he passes them in the parade.
Cannons Marina Owner David Miller waves to the crowd as he passes them in the parade.
Finley Anderson, 6 months, joins in the Independence Day celebration.
Finley Anderson, 6 months, joins in the Independence Day celebration.
Finn Fluker, 4, tries to get his pinwheel to spin.
Finn Fluker, 4, tries to get his pinwheel to spin.
Finn Fluker, 4, rides in a wagon in the parade.
Finn Fluker, 4, rides in a wagon in the parade.
Community members lined the streets at Freedom Fest.
Community members lined the streets at Freedom Fest.
Giuliana Bankert, 1 month, sleeps through the parade.
Giuliana Bankert, 1 month, sleeps through the parade.
Harrison Troyan, 6, shoots Alex Mahadevan in the face with a water gun.
Harrison Troyan, 6, shoots Alex Mahadevan in the face with a water gun.
Dominic Torres, 6, helps his sister Isabella, 3, release butterflies the Longboat Key Garden Club provided.
Dominic Torres, 6, helps his sister Isabella, 3, release butterflies the Longboat Key Garden Club provided.
Colin Bankert, 2, enjoys riding in his wagon.
Colin Bankert, 2, enjoys riding in his wagon.
Colin Bankert, 2, and Gigi Tuffile, 3, ride in the parade in style.
Colin Bankert, 2, and Gigi Tuffile, 3, ride in the parade in style.
Adam Hughes marches with Observer staff members in the parade.
Adam Hughes marches with Observer staff members in the parade.
Aidan Shoulson, 7, releases a butterfly into the butterfly garden at Freedom Fest.
Aidan Shoulson, 7, releases a butterfly into the butterfly garden at Freedom Fest.
Aidan Newman, 7, and his little brother Uriah, 3, show off patriotism at Freedom Fest.
Aidan Newman, 7, and his little brother Uriah, 3, show off patriotism at Freedom Fest.
Digital Content Producer Alex Mahadevan braces himself as children take turns spraying him with water.
Digital Content Producer Alex Mahadevan braces himself as children take turns spraying him with water.
Amelia Bridges, 2, paints at one of the activity stations at Freedom Fest.
Amelia Bridges, 2, paints at one of the activity stations at Freedom Fest.
Shelties Annie and Bandit
Shelties Annie and Bandit
Averie Robinson rides a colorful moped in the parade.
Averie Robinson rides a colorful moped in the parade.
Cielo Trujillo, 6, participates in the egg race.
Cielo Trujillo, 6, participates in the egg race.
Jacob Jensen, 7, rides his decorated bike in the parade.
Jacob Jensen, 7, rides his decorated bike in the parade.

 

Latest News

Joan M. Durante Community Park, Longboat Key.
  • December 16, 2025
Longboat Key's Durante Park reopens after hurricane repairs
Plans are to replace the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Newtown with a new building and convert the current structure into outdoor play space.
  • December 16, 2025
After years of repairs, Boys & Girls Club plans to rebuild
Manatee County Commissioner Tal Siddique was picked in a 4-3 vote by the commission to serve as chair in 2026.
  • December 15, 2025
Tal Siddique selected as chair of Manatee County Commission
Residents line up behind the podium to object to a proposal for Altman Rye Townhomes.
  • December 15, 2025
Planning commission reviews three projects in east Manatee County

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Check out the following options for holiday services this season.
  • December 16, 2025
Celebrate season's tidings at these Longboat holiday services
This house on the corner of Wedge Lane and Bogey Lane takes the cake for one of the most colorfully decorated homes on Longboat Key this season.
  • December 14, 2025
Which Longboat homes dazzle the most with holiday lights?
David Forester sings a solo of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" with The Venice Symphony for a big band-style Christmas concert on Dec. 12 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
  • December 13, 2025
Big band means big tunes at St. Mary Christmas concert
Gary and Linda Condon of Bird Key decorated their boat to contribute to the beauty of this year's Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet on Dec. 11.
  • December 12, 2025
Boats sparkle at Bird Key fleet blessing
Beth Stewart and Christine Parseghian joined in the festive fun of the Frosty Frolic golf tournament on Dec. 9 at Harbourside Golf Course.
  • December 11, 2025
Ladies dress to impress at Frosty Frolic
The team including Rick and Josie Bertie and Paul Christenson won second place overall and the award for best "docktail" at the Lighting of the Docks on Dec. 6 at Longboat Harbour.
  • December 11, 2025
Longboat Harbour light competition delights viewers

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now