Fireworks go virtual in interactive art display at Spirit of '76 block party

By Ian Swaby
| 3:55 p.m. July 4, 2026

Frankie Del Rosario of The ProMedia Group, which assisted with the projectors for the display, shows that he's "awesome" at setting off the fireworks.

Sarasota
Neighbors

A recent drought and burn ban in Sarasota County put personal fireworks off limits this year. Nonetheless, the Spirit of '76 block party, held Friday at Selby Five Points Park, offered a solution.

Attendees could set off virtual fireworks projected onto the wall of the Selby Public Library with a digitally-inserted backdrop of Sarasota's skyline, including the John Ringling Causeway.

The display, "Light up the Sky," was created by the interactive projection mapping company LightMural in partnership with the City of Sarasota's Public Art Program, and remained continuously in use throughout the event.

LightMural was founded by Ed Cheetham, who recently retired as the head of the motion design department at Ringling College of Art and Design, and current department faculty member Kelly Warner.

"There is something very magical about large scale imagery, and I don't know, people just respond to it," Cheetham said. "It seems magical, it seems very engaging to see something very large."

The event also offered live music by Southbound 75, games and other activities.

Joey Barak, 11, sets off fireworks in the "Light Up the Sky" installation.

Austin Nichols and his friend Robyn Holl enjoy some ice cream and dressing up.

The event celebrated the Fourth of July in Selby Five Points Park.

Carmela Barak, 3, finishes a round of "Light up the Sky."

Cyrus Graf, 13, tries "Light up the Sky."

Carmela Barak, 3, launches fireworks in the "Light up the Sky" display.

Avel'yn Meyta, 5, Stephanie Meyta, 8 and their mother Inessa Meyta play Jenga.

Nicholas Atkinson, 9, his grandparents Michael and Joanne Sciulli, and his brother Franco Atkinson, 7, enjoy the event together.

Stassia Graf, 7, tries "Light up the Sky," as Ed Cheetham looks on.

John Burgstiner and Dianne Frestel brought along Pearl, a therapy dog with Canines for Christ.

Xander Morales, 6, finishes a round of "Light up the Sky."

Adrianna Carr and singer/songwriter Mark Lorenzo, of Southbound 75, perform on stage.

Alexandra Misantone, 16, strikes a pose with help from her father Brooke Misantone.

Stephanie Meyta, 8, points to a tower she created from Jenga blocks.

Paul and Linda Johnson, the founders of Service Dogs Saving Lives, promoted the organization, which provides service dogs to veterans and first responders with mental health challenges and self-harming tendencies. Since their founding in 2022, they have given away 10 service dogs.

Mason Wilson, 2, plays on the steps of the Selby Library.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.