Nathan Benderson Park goes big for Fireworks on the Lake

The lineup included a band, a pops concert, a waterskiing show and an apple pie-eating contest.

By Lesley Dwyer
| 9:25 a.m. July 4, 2026

The Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton performs on the second stage.

East County
Neighbors

Every year, Nathan Benderson Park puts on an 18-minute fireworks spectacular.

But this year, the park had help making the show even more spectacular.

Jacquie Kuhens, bass player and board member, said the Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton was contacted by an angel investor who wanted the community to enjoy a patriotic concert along with the fireworks.

Not only did the Pops perform patriotic music the crowd already knew, they performed the world debut of Suite No. 1 by Rob Lane.

Lane is a British composer, who co-composed the original score for the HBO miniseries "John Adams."

"He wrote this special for our orchestra," Kuhens said.

An estimated 15,000 people filled the park to see the show.

East County's Sarah Troeller, a cellist and an orchestra teacher at Braden River Middle School, noted how much excitement led up to the performance.

"This is probably the biggest crowd we've ever played for," she said.

Sarasota Ski-A-Rees perform at Fireworks on the Lake July 3.

Sarasota Ski-A-Rees team members perform a pyramid during their July 3 show at Nathan Benderson Park.

Waterskiers with the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees show off their skills.

Sugar Vibe Band performs on the main stage.

East County's Sarah Troeller is a cellist with the Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton and is an orchestra teacher at Braden River Middle School.

Parrish's Destiny Prater shows off her American spirit.

During the apple pie eating contest, Lulu with 92.1 CTQ gets the crowd to chant, "Eat that pie!"

Contestants in the apple pie eating contest dig in.

After Noah Carpenter wins the apple pie eating contest, Rob Veglia says, "Give me a half-hour, and I'm finishing this pie." The 9-inch Der Dutchman pies weighed two pounds each.

Sarasota's 2-year-old Ram Elliott checks out a tractor.

Jude Ongstad is the Chic-Fil-A cow's handler.

Thousands of people fill Nathan Benderson Park for Fireworks on the Lake July 3.

A group of local and out-of-town rowers walk through the park waving a huge flag.

The performance by the Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton was gifted to the community by an angel investor.

Phones are up the minute the fireworks starts.

The Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton accompanies the fireworks with patriotic music.

Fireworks on the Lake is bigger and better this year with not just fireworks but a waterskiing show, apple pie eating contest and a pops concert.

author

Lesley Dwyer

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.