Celebrate America Concert
Gather under the Heritage Tree on the downtown lawn for the Celebrate America Concert at Downtown Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Park Boulevard, Venice, on Friday, July 3, 6 to 9 p.m. The free event serves as the lead-in to the CoolToday Park fireworks and features a three-hour headline set by country artist Chas Collins. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Downtown Wellen restaurants and shops. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Outside coolers, personal fireworks, and sparklers are prohibited. For details, visit wellenpark.com or call 941•960•7805. 

Freedom Festival: Cheers to 250 Years
The City of North Port invites the community to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial at the “Freedom Festival: Cheers to 250 Years” on Saturday, July 4, 6 to 9:30 p.m. at CoolToday Park, 18800 West Villages Parkway. Presented by Dragonfly Dental, this free Independence Day celebration kicks off with an opening ceremony featuring the presentation of colors by Imagine School at North Port Young Marines, the National Anthem performed by Jennifer Montalvo, a flyover by the Gulf Coast Raptors Formation Flight Team, and remarks from City officials. Families can enjoy live music from J&R Fusion and the Dukes of Brinkley, alongside activities like a complimentary Patriotic Play Zone, a community art mural, a touch-a-truck zone, merchandise vendors, and local food trucks. Stadium and lawn seating are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and attendees watching from the lawn are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for the spectacular fireworks finale. Parking is free, and attendees can text FREEDOM26 to 888-777 to receive event-related safety updates. For more information, visit NorthPortFL.gov/FreedomFestival or call 941•429•7000. 

Independence Day at Fishermen’s Village
Fishermen’s Village hosts its Independence Day Holiday Celebration on Saturday, July 4 with festivities beginning at 12 p.m. The annual July 4th Freedom Swim kicks off the day at 10 a.m., starting from Sunseeker and ending at Fishermen’s Village. Family-friendly activities on the promenade include fairy hair, temporary tattoos, and a patriotic display by the Daughters of the American Revolution to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Live music will be featured throughout the day across multiple stages, leading up to a fireworks display over the water at 9 p.m.. King Fisher Fleet will also offer a sunset and fireworks cruise departing at 7:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Fishermen’s Village is located at 1200 West Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. For event details visit fishermansvillage.com or call 941•575•3007.

Fourth-Fest 2026
Celebrate the holiday at Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit Street, Punta Gorda, during Fourth-Fest 2026 on Saturday, July 4, beginning at 3 p.m.. The free event features Water-Mania waterslides, vendors, festival food, and refreshments, concluding with a fireworks show over the harbor. Earlier in the day, the Charlotte Harbor July 4th Boat Parade departs from Laishley Marina, 52 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, at 11 a.m. Boaters are welcome to participate, and spectators can watch from the shoreline. Attendees should bring blankets or low lawn chairs for the fireworks show, and early arrival or rideshare is recommended due to limited parking. Outside coolers, personal fireworks, and sparklers are prohibited. For information, visit puntagordafireworks.com or call 941•628•0702. 

Siesta Beach Community Fireworks Display
The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Independence Day fireworks display on Saturday, July 4, 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Siesta Public Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key. The community-funded display launches at dusk, around 9:15 p.m., from the north end of the beach near the volleyball courts. Attendees can view the show from anywhere along the sand at Siesta Beach or Crescent Beach, and are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. This free public event is part of the nationwide America250 Semiquincentennial celebration honoring 250 years of American independence. For more information, email events@siestakeychamber.com or call 941•349•3800. 

Fourth of July All-American Cookout at Selby Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will host its annual Fourth of July All-American Cookout on Saturday, July 4, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at its Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. This rain-or-shine Independence Day celebration features family-friendly lawn games, a mesmerizing performance of the Spheres Bubble Show by Blaise Rhynds, and a spectacular fireworks finale overlooking Sarasota Bay. A variety of local food vendors will be on-site selling smoky barbecue favorites, frozen treats, and festive summer sweets. Admission is $35 for adults, with event parking available for $20. General admission guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and bug spray, and tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 941•366•5731 or by visiting selby.org.

The post Your Hometown Guide: 4th of July Celebrations Across Our Community appeared first on Englewood Review.

The festival will be held February 6 and 7 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, 2896 Ringling Boulevard. Events and exhibits will take place in the Potter Building and a second adjacent building to accommodate the expanded programming.

Seashell collectors, beachcombers, artisans and the shell-curious are invited to attend the festival, which will feature new educational partners and exhibits. New participants for 2026 include Turtle Watch, Bay Watch, the Tampa Bay Fossil Club, the New College of Florida Marine Biology Department, and the Carefree Learner Floating Classroom.

Another addition this year is the opportunity to purchase award-winning shell art pieces that are entered in the festival as Artistic Exhibits.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about seashells and marine life while viewing shell art and scientific displays. An expanded number of vendors will display and sell common, exotic and rare shells, along with rocks, minerals and fossils. Additional offerings include shell-inspired jewelry, clothing, crafts and artwork. Coastal-themed prizes, educational activities and shell crafts for children are also planned.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students ages 12 to 18. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. Guests receive a free bag of shells with paid admission. Admission at the entrance is cash only, and credit cards will not be accepted for entry.

Founded in 1963, the Sarasota Shell Club is a nonprofit organization made up of seashell and fossil collectors, shell enthusiasts, artisans and beachcombers. The club hosts monthly meetings with guest speakers, shelling excursions and social events, and welcomes new members. More information is available at www.sarasotashellclub.com.

The post 2026 Sarasota Shell and Marine Life Festival Expands appeared first on Englewood Review.

Santa Claus will trade his sleigh for swim trunks to greet families for a morning of swimming, games and holiday activities. Children and parents can enjoy holiday-themed crafts, poolside games and a tropical holiday setting.

Guests are encouraged to bring cameras to capture photos with Santa. Complimentary cookies and hot chocolate will be served at the concession stand.

“Swim with Santa is a wonderful way for families to come together, share in the joy of the season and create lasting holiday memories,” said Aquatics Manager Devón Poulos. “We are proud to offer events like this that bring the community together in a fun, family-friendly environment.”

Admission is 15 dollars per child and includes activities. Adults supervising children under age 10 are admitted free but must monitor their child in the water. Pre-registration is recommended as space is limited. Registration is available at NorthPortFL.gov/SwimWithSanta or by calling 941-429-PARK (7275), option 2.

The North Port Aquatic Center is seeking donations of new, unwrapped presents and gift cards so each child attending can take home a gift. Donations can be dropped off at the center during regular operating hours through December 12. For more information, contact Kimberly Lencki at 941-429-7143 or KLencki@NorthPortFL.gov.

The post Swim with Santa at Northport Aquatic Center appeared first on Englewood Review.

So pull on your dirndl, hitch up those lederhosen, and head to Christ Lutheran Church (701 N. Indiana Avenue) for its Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, October 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the freshly updated Fellowship Hall. No horse race this time, but you’ll still find bratwursts and other German goodies, beer for purchase, and catchy tunes from the Bayischer Bu’am.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for ages 16 and under. The price includes an all-you-can-eat dinner and dessert along with musical entertainment by the Bayischer Bu’am.

Organizers encourage guests to wear traditional costumes, with prizes awarded for the best Dirndl and Lederhosen. A chicken dance is planned, and families, friends, and neighbors are invited to join the festivities. Tickets will be available in the church narthex or by calling 603-475-3492.

Photo, (l-r): Anita, Ingrid, Pastor Ken, Donna, Nancy, and Bob.

The post Christ Lutheran to Host Oktoberfest With German Food, Music and Dancing appeared first on Englewood Review.