Star-Spangled Spectacular lights up Lakewood Ranch

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."