Thousands of people gathered July 3 along the Nathan Benderson Park lake from Sarasota to University Town Center.
No matter where they found a parking spot or set down their blankets, the view was spectacular as they became part of Fireworks on the Lake.
Many tailgaters gravitated to the parking lot at the Mall at UTC. The more seasoned of those brought grills, buffet tables and cornhole games. Others simply popped their hatchbacks, and had a seat.
At the park, the party was kicked off with the Fireworks on the Lake 5K run. The finish tower hosted a VIP party, while a festival took place throughout the park. Kettle of Fish entertained the adults in the crowd with live music before the main event, while the kids hopped through bounce houses, ran through bubbles and chomped on watermelon in the Kids Zone.
The Detwiler family, plus friends and staff, sliced and served 6,000 plus triangles of watermelon from their market. The market also donated about 4,000 cookies. Co-owner Henry Detwiler looked like the pied piper as he wove through the crowd with a tray full of cookies.
As the sun set, the music died down and the bounce houses were deflated, giving way to the fireworks show. The main event lasted about 15 minutes, but judging by the oohs and aahs, the fireworks did not disappoint.
Nathan Benderson hosts its annual fireworks display the night before the Fourth of July.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Myakka City resident Dave Henderson, Vero Beach resident Hailey Garrett and Palmetto resident David Cadmus are return tailgaters to the parking lot at the Mall at UTC. Cadmus said they'll be back in the same spot next year.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Mark Johnson is in the American spirit and in town from Largo visiting his sister.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota residents Jessica and Caralina Kress are first timers to the fireworks show at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota residents Kelly, Katie and Josh Sweeting and David Green have fine tuned their tailgating skills over the years. This is not their first trip to the Mall at UTC to watch the fireworks on the lake.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Thousands of people head to Nathan Benderson Park for the annual fireworks display.
Lesley Dwyer
Spectators are set up on all sides of the lake to watch the fireworks show at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Bradenton resident Juliana Radcliffe enjoys everything the pre-fireworks show has to offer at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Lamborghinis are displayed around the park. Lamborghini Sarasota is one of the event sponsors.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The main area by the finish tower offers bounce houses, food trucks and live music before the fireworks.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Palmetto resident Renee Lenneman enjoys the show with her foster son Jadon Posey.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota residents Russell Seward and Nicole Sears deck their golf cart out for every holiday.
Lesley Dwyer
Vendors are lined up serving hot dogs, Chick-fil-A, Kona Ice and more.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Palmetto resident Braden Olynik takes the top of the pyramid on his sister Aubrey Olynik's shoulders. On the bottom are Bradenton residents Vivianne Posey, Christina Lenneman and Palmetto resident Nevaeh Olynik.
Lesley Dwyer
Henry Detwiler passes out free chocolate chip cookies. This is one tray of about 4,000 cookies.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The fireworks over the Nathan Benderson Park lake can be seen from the park, the bridge and the mall. It's a front row view for everyone.
Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.
