- April 30, 2025
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Merica Ange and Hunter Chrisman are neighbors in Summerfield who are enjoying Fireworks on the Lake.
Photo by Lesley DwyerTaco, a lilac Amazon parrot, goes everywhere with owner Lyle Pohlen.
Photo by Lesley DwyerTaco perches on MJ Costanzo's shoulder while mom Danielle takes a photo.
Photo by Lesley DwyerHafsa Asghar and Ashar Hashimi wait out the rain under a tent.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe storm leaves behind a double rainbow.
Photo by Lesley DwyerFive-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 DwyerAri Jordan, Sophia Halley and Keira Nelson have their faces painted like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the evening.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe 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 DwyerMohamed 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 DwyerAn ice pop helps 3-year-old, DeSoto Lakes resident Alaia Wolford wait patiently to get into the Kids Zone.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe crowd is treated to a colorful sunset over the lake.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe crowd thickens as the night goes on.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSpectators are in their seats in the finish tower and ready for the fireworks show.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSarasota resident Jonathan Koltun watches the fireworks with his 4-year-old daughter Lily.
Photo by Lesley DwyerNathan Benderson Park holds its annual Fireworks on the Lake on July 3.
Photo by Lesley DwyerDespite a rainy start, Nathan Benderson Park is packed with thousands of spectators by the end of the night.
Photo by Lesley DwyerFireworks light up the night sky over the lake at Nathan Benderson Park on July 3.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe annual prelude to Independence Day is held at Nathan Benderson Park every July 3.
Photo by Lesley DwyerA 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.
