A thunderstorm and a bird named Taco were the opening act for the fireworks display at Nathan Benderson Park on July 3.
Fireworks on the Lake draws a huge crowd each year as the activities start four hours before the fireworks. There’s live music, bounce houses and two rows of food trucks and vendor tents.
This year, there was also a thunderstorm that sent the crowd scrambling under tents. But not one child was unhappy under the tent with Taco. The lilac Amazon parrot hopped from shoulder to shoulder posing for pictures as if he was part of the entertainment.
Parrish resident Lyle Pohlen said the 5-year-old parrot goes everywhere with him.
When the storm left behind a double rainbow, the party was back on. Lines trailed from the food trucks, and sneakers littered the outside of the bounce houses.
Before fireworks could light up the sky, the crowd was treated to a fiery sunset. As the evening went on, more and more people packed the lawn.
Sarasota resident Jonathan Koltun was excited to watch the fireworks with his 4-year-old daughter Lily from the finish tower.
He was also prepared after attending last year’s event. He avoided the roof because the stairwell could block the left side of Lily’s view, and he brought his own chair for the wait.
Koltun gave his daughter a big kiss on the cheek as they settled in on the fourth floor staircase landing, which overlooks the entire park and provided a front row seat for the show.
Merica Ange and Hunter Chrisman are neighbors in Summerfield who are enjoying Fireworks on the Lake.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Taco, a lilac Amazon parrot, goes everywhere with owner Lyle Pohlen.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Taco perches on MJ Costanzo's shoulder while mom Danielle takes a photo.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Hafsa Asghar and Ashar Hashimi wait out the rain under a tent.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The storm leaves behind a double rainbow.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Five-year-old Arianna Moberly's face paint is almost washed off from the rain, but nothing's wiping the smile off her face.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Ari Jordan, Sophia Halley and Keira Nelson have their faces painted like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the evening.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The rain is not dampening the Shepherd family's fun. The kids in the front row are Nicholas, Scarlett and Liam Shepherd. Mark Masingil, Lilliana, Marina and Paul Shepherd stand in the back row.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Mohamed Elmennani and Justine Cavender will cut about 100 watermelons and 80 pineapples over the course of the evening. Detwiler's hands out free watermelon every year. The pineapple is a new addition this year.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
An ice pop helps 3-year-old, DeSoto Lakes resident Alaia Wolford wait patiently to get into the Kids Zone.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The crowd is treated to a colorful sunset over the lake.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The crowd thickens as the night goes on.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Spectators are in their seats in the finish tower and ready for the fireworks show.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota resident Jonathan Koltun watches the fireworks with his 4-year-old daughter Lily.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Nathan Benderson Park holds its annual Fireworks on the Lake on July 3.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Despite a rainy start, Nathan Benderson Park is packed with thousands of spectators by the end of the night.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Fireworks light up the night sky over the lake at Nathan Benderson Park on July 3.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The annual prelude to Independence Day is held at Nathan Benderson Park every July 3.
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.
