- June 17, 2026
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From the planned rededication of Bicentennial Park to the release of 250 butterflies, Longboat Key's Fourth of July celebrations promise to be spectacular.
The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and partners are gearing up for a Freedom Fest like no other as the country celebrates the 250th anniversary of adopting the Declaration of Independence.
Chamber President and CEO Kim Verreault and Longboat Key Garden Club President Melanie Dale said the family-friendly festival will be extra special.
The fun begins with the 9 a.m. parade along Bay Isles Road. Proudly proclaimed to be America's shortest — yet perhaps most adorable — parade, the route starts at Bicentennial Park. Especially for participants planning to bring their pets for the "Hot Diggity Dog!" contest held by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key, she recommends arriving before 8:30 a.m.
Those peppy pets and their owners should dress to impress in red, white and blue considering they have a shot at winning prizes for the titles of "Most Creative Dog Costume," "Most Patriotic Dog," and "Best Owner and Dog Combination."
Rotary encourages owners to register ahead of time by emailing Carol Erker at [email protected] or calling 847-274-8741. Gather near Truist Bank at 510 Bay Isles Road for any final pet primping, and join the crowd at the park after the parade for the awards ceremony.
Animal lovers aren't the only ones who get to have fun in the parade. The "Most Patriotic Float or Group" will take home a $500 prize courtesy of Jack Dean Flooring. During the parade, viewers may spot the familiar face of Jim Seaton as Uncle Sam, Verreault said.
The parade fun is scheduled to roll right into an element unique to this year's celebration. Leaders with the town of Longboat Key will lead a rededication ceremony for Bicentennial Park.
"As people walk into the park, the national anthem is going to be sung by two people, Alyssa Adamson and Reverend Kim Johnson, both with Longboat Island Chapel," Verreault said.
Dale said the garden club is looking forward to this special event, especially considering the club served an integral role in establishing the park and its central Butterfly Garden.
The club is coordinating its memorial butterfly release to take place immediately after the rededication. But the ceremony will be bigger than ever, with plans to free 250 monarchs, ebony coontie butterflies and more.
Dale noted that this tradition is rooted in recognizing Lisa Walsh, the late executive editor and co-owner of the Longboat Observer, for her efforts to establish Freedom Fest.
Last year, organizers were able to delay the butterfly release to July 5 when last-minute lightning storms forced the cancellation of the parade.
Verreault also confirmed that last year's parade marshal, Susan Phillips, is slated to lead the march at a hopefully dry parade this year.
At the newly rededicated park, festival-goers will be able to participate in a variety of ticketed games and activities. Verreault said highlights will include an appearance by Chucko the Clown, a small animal petting zoo, crafts, temporary tattoos, a dunk tank and much more.
"For the dunk tank, we have a couple of people who are already lined up, including Commissioner Gary Coffin," Verreault said.
Chucko has become a quintessential part of Longboat's patriotic festivities.
"He's deeply rooted into the circus and Ringling history, and we're very lucky to have him in this community, as part of this event again," she said.
Verreault said she thinks youngsters will especially enjoy making and taking home their own colorful sands keepsakes.
She said families seem to appreciate having a venue with Fourth of July-centered fun taking place before most people fire up the grills and start staking out their favorite spots to watch the fireworks.
Dale added, "It's amazing to me how every year is just so much bigger than the last."
There is still time to make plans to march in the parade or explore sponsoring parts of the festivities. Bank of America is the presenting sponsor. For more, visit LongboatKeyChamber.com.
