The Brief
- Lakeland celebrated the Fourth of July a day early with a festive community gathering and a massive fireworks show.
- The Red, White & Kaboom event drew a massive crowd to kick off the holiday weekend festivities.
- Attendees brought canned food donations to support a local elderly assistance program during the festival.
LAKELAND, Fla. – Lakeland community members gathered a day early to kick off the holiday weekend with the annual Red, White & Kaboom celebration.
Lakeland holiday history
The backstory:
The community holds a long-standing tradition of hosting its independence festival on July 3. This year’s event carried extra significance as attendees gathered to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Early crowd arrivals
What we know:
Spectators arrived hours before the official start time to secure prime viewing spots for the evening entertainment. Families crowded the area early to ensure clear views of the fireworks, including Tiege Lee, whose daughter will see her first fireworks show.…