As other area fireworks organizers discussed delaying their displays because of rainy weather forecasts, staff and about 50 volunteers at Nathan Benderson Park forged ahead.
The annual July 3 Fireworks on the Lake celebration offered more than just fireworks.
Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio performed live on stage. Two rows of food trucks and vendors were lined up on both sides of the park, and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium set up a Kids Zone filled with inflatable slides and bounce houses.
Sarasota’s Dawn Eggeman laid a mat over the grass in front of the stage. A little rain wasn’t going to stop her from enjoying the music and fireworks. She brought a friend from Missouri, Brad Scrogham, and two umbrellas.
One attraction that was not part of the official lineup, but has entertained the crowd two years in a row, is Taco the parrot.
Taco perched on fingers, arms and even heads. The crowd kept growing around the parrot and her owner, Parrish’s Lyle Pohlen.
“Taco makes so many people smile,” Pohlen said. “I let everybody hold her.”
Best friends Olivia Geler and McKenna Bonura snap their photos from the finish tower July 3 at Nathan Benderson Park during Fireworks on the Lake.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota's Matthew Perivolaris, 1, and Michael Perivolaris, 3, head out of the soggy Kids Zone after playing on the inflatables during Fireworks on the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota's Finley Raber, Grace Carr, Aranza Gomez and Giovanna Pisano hang out by the stage for the live music at Fireworks on the Lake.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Lyle Pohlen's parrot Taco attracts a crowd under the tent as people get out of the rain during Fireworks on the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
John Geraci holds his 4-year-old daughter Luna, and Luna holds Taco the parrot during Fireworks on the Lake. Luna said she fed a bird once, but this is her first time holding one.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Nathan Benderson Park is decorated in red, white and blue July 3 for its annual fireworks display.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Gilly the Shark, who obviously felt right at home in the rain, dances his way around Nathan Benderson Park July 3 during the Fireworks on the Lake event.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Tony Rosario and Lulu Ann, co-host of Maverick and Lulu in the Morning, are at the 92.1 CTQ tent broadcasting live from Fireworks on the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota's Addison Williams and Katelyn Livingston were waiting to hear the winner of the raffle for Brad Paisley tickets during Fireworks on the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The Williams family, from Port Charlotte, gathers in the Kids Zone presented by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Twinkle entertains the crowd before the fireworks display at Nathan Benderson Park July 3.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The American spirit is strong at Nathan Benderson Park July 3 despite the rain during Fireworks on the Lake.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
North Port's Olivia Geler and Sarasota's McKenna Bonura wait for the fireworks to begin July 3 at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The fireworks show at Nathan Benderson Park went forward despite the rain July 3 to cap Fireworks on the Lake.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Missouri's Brad Scrogham visits Sarasota's Dawn Eggeman and takes in Fireworks on the Lake during his trip.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Fireworks light up the sky and the lake at Nathan Benderson Park July 3 during the annual Fireworks on the Lake.
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.
