Lakewood Ranch's Harper Fraser, 7, Jack Fraser, 5, and their mom, Melissa Fraser, test out the Royally Cosmic photo booth at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
Photo by Madison Bierl
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If there's one thing Lakewood Ranch's Chris Ruzicka learned July 4, it was that he should stick to the business world instead of joining the circus.
Ruzicka was one of the members of the crowd to participate in the Circus Arts Conservatory performance at Waterside Place during the Star-Spangled Spectacular. Davis Vassallo, a CAC clown, used Ruzicka's body to hang musical instruments, bells and symbols.
While the audience got a kick out of him being made into a musical coat rack, Ruzicka said the circus acts were only part of the reason he attended the event. No. 1 was patriotism.
"For me, it’s a celebration of freedom, opportunity, and everything that makes America such a special place," Ruzicka said. "In my opinion, it’s the best country in the world."
Lakewood Ranch's Eddie Rider was another member of the crowd who was pulled on stage. He was asked to play a gong. And while he enjoyed the silliness, he also said some more serious themes were important to the celebration.
"As a veteran myself, and with my father, grandfather and great grandfather being veterans, I’ve always had a sense of patriotism," Rider said. "The fourth has always been important to me."
Rebecca and Mark Pappas, who attended the event for the first time, brought their three children.
"This was such a wonderful experience for our family," Rebecca Pappas said. "We felt so welcomed and our kids had an absolute blast! The circus and drone show was an amazing end to the night."
Ava Weller executes drops, climbs and poses from silks as part of the Circus Arts Conservatory performance at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place
Photo by Madison Bierl
Noah Royak, a comedian and entertainer who has been at it for 12 years, eats a sword as part of his act at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Chris Ruzicka, who was picked from the audience to participate in the Circus Arts Conservatory performance, says the experience was memorable, but he doesn't plan to run off and join the circus anytime soon.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Back row, Kate Tully and Michelle Halbman, attend the Star Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place with their kids Hadley Halbman, 9, Olivia Tully, 9, and Lucy Halbman, 5.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Zoey Spivak, Oliver Malai, Nelia Malai (front), Gabby Spivak (back)
and Nathan Malai celebrate 250 years of the United States at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Duo Transcend's Mary Wolfe-Nielsen and Tyce Nielsen, who were finalists on Season 13 of America's Got Talent, perform at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place with the Circus Arts Conservatory.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Noel Aguilar, a juggler born into multigenerational circus family, juggles for guests of the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place as part of the Circus Acts Conservatory performance.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Keri Cifaretto, with her sequin-covered American cowboy hat, watches Noah Royak's comedy performance at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
Photo by Madison Bierl
The Pappas family — Mark, 1-year-old Carmela, Rebecca, 5-year-old Giuliana and 3-year-old Nico — had a blast spending their first Fourth of July in Lakewood Ranch at Waterside Place.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Aubrey Sauer, 12, Riley Sauer, 10, and Ashlee Ewing dance to "Y.M.C.A." by Village People at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Parrish's Jordan Souza, 7, watches Noah Royak juggle at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Aaron Sauer and Justin Marcotte greet each other moments after being picked from the audience to be part of the Circus Arts Conservatory performance during the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Circus Arts Conservatory performers Ava Weller, Davis Vassallo and Yelitza Vivas prepare to show off their unique talents at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place concludes with a drone show.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
