Star Spangled Sanford
Star Spangled Sanford
Celebrate Independence Day in Sanford with an evening of unforgettable family fun from 7 – 10 PM on Saturday, July 4, at this waterfront celebration along the beautiful Sanford Riverwalk on the southern shore of Lake Monroe on the St. Johns River. Our Radio Partner K92.3 will be onsite to keep things festive! You will be dazzled by cirque-style street performers, redefine deliciousness with all the tantalizing food and drink choices, and shop a wide variety of homemade goods and local vendors for a unique and fun shopping experience for all ages.
Fireworks Show | 9:15 PM
Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Monroe, choreographed to a lively soundtrack of fun, upbeat and patriotic music. With a professional sound system running along Seminole Boulevard, from San Juan Avenue to Palmetto Avenue, guests along the waterfront will experience the full impact of this unforgettable show.
This custom production is brought to you by Zambelli Fireworks, the ‘first family in fireworks’ – one of the most respected names in pyrotechnics. With over a century of experience and a legacy of artistic excellence, Zambelli has specially designed this show for Sanford’s scenic lakefront—featuring thousands of dazzling shells timed to the music.
Get ready for a truly breathtaking finale to our Independence Day Celebration!
Restrooms:
Public restrooms (some portable) are available in Ft. Mellon Park, along Seminole Boulevard and also located at Palmetto Ave. and Seminole Blvd.
Lost Child Protocol:
Contact any uniformed City employee – Police, Fire, Parks & Recreation, etc. to report the missing child. The employee will expedite getting a law enforcement official to you quickly. All lost children are escorted by law enforcement to their Emergency Command Station at the City of Sanford’s City Hall, located at 300 N. Park Avenue.
Emergency Medical Services:
In case of any emergency, please dial 911. Emergency Medical Personnel will be available near Ft. Mellon Park’s largest pavilian on 1st Street. Additional EMS teams will monitor the event space via carts and bicycle.
What to Bring:
- Small personal coolers (approximately 12″ x 12″) are allowed. All bags, containers, and coolers are subject to search at any time.
- Wagon carts are permitted and encouraged for carrying your supplies in, and out, of the event.
- Pop-up tents (limited to 10’x10’ without sides), large beach-style umbrellas, blankets or tarps (no larger than 10’x10’), folding beach/camping chairs are authorized. However, all tents, umbrellas, and tarps must be taken down no later than 8 pm for the viewing enjoyment of everyone.
What Not to Bring to Star Spangled Sanford:
Guests with any of these items may be asked to leave the event space early or meet with our law enforcement representatives.
- No personal fireworks of any kind—including sparklers—are permitted within the event space.
- No Drones
- No Alcohol and/or illegal drugs. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase from authorized vendors.
- No Weapons, sharp objects, glassware and/or glass containers of any kind.
- Automated transportation devices, including golf carts, bicycles, scooters, and skateboards. (Due to large crowds, we also recommend leaving personal bicycles at home.)
- For their safety, pets must remain at home and are not permitted in the Star Spanged Sanford event space from 8 am – 11 pm.
All city ordinances remain in effect on July 4. For example, open container laws apply—alcohol must be consumed only on the premises where it is purchased. Unauthorized street or sidewalk vending is not permitted unless part of the official event in the event space.
On July 4, the event space is generally defined as Seminole Boulevard from Palmetto Avenue to Mellonville Avenue, and from the lakefront to 1st Street.
Thank you for your cooperation to create a safe and enjoyable Independence Day celebration for everyone!
July 2 | 7 AM – July 5 | 8 AM:
Portions of the northeast section of the Downtown Sanford Marina closed.
July 3 | 5 PM – July 4 | 11 PM:
Downtown Sanford Marina and NE portion of Marina Isle closed. Boat and trailer parking is available in the municipal lot at Palmetto and Seminole Boulevard.
July 3 | Midnight – July 4 |11 PM:
Street Closures include:
- Seminole Boulevard, from Mellonville Avenue to Palmetto Avenue;
- Mellonville Avenue, San Juan Avenue, and Sanford Avenue, from 1st Street to Seminole Boulevard;
- Commercial Street, from Sanford Avenue to Palmetto Avenue; and
- 1st Street, from San Juan Avenue to Sanford Avenue.
- City Hall parking lot is also closed with restricted access for first responders only.
July 4 | 8 AM – 11 PM:
Boat ramps closed. Parking at 520 on the Water & Marina Isle Waterfront Assisted Living closed.
5 PM – 11 PM:
All Marina access is restricted. Palmetto Avenue, from Commercial Street to Downtown Sanford Marina, is closed.
Free guest parking is available at designated parking lots, including the municipal lot, located at Palmetto Avenue and Seminole Boulevard, with on-street parking throughout downtown. See the guest parking map.
Downtown Sanford Marina – Fireworks Launch Site
For the safety of our guests and boaters, the Downtown Sanford Marina will serve as the launch site for the Star Spangled Sanford fireworks show, requiring changes to normal access and operations.
July 2 | 7 AM – July 5 | 8 AM:
Portions of the northeast section of the Downtown Sanford Marina closed.
July 3 | 5 PM – July 4 | 11 PM:
Downtown Sanford Marina and NE portion of Marina Isle closed. Boat and trailer parking is available in the municipal lot at Palmetto and Seminole Boulevard.
July 4 |
- 8 am – 11 pm: Parking at 520 on the Water & Marina Isle Waterfront Assisted Living closed.
- 8 am – 11 pm: Public Boat ramps are closed. All remaining vehicles and trailers will be towed. Emergency Management will secure and monitor the area to ensure a safe and successful fireworks display.
- 5 – 11 pm: All Marina access restricted, including the east basin. Palmetto Avenue, from Commercial Street to Downtown Sanford Marina, is closed.
Boater Access Guidelines:
Boats already in the water by 8 AM, and located in the east basin, may enter Lake Monroe until 4 PM.
After 4 PM, no vessels may enter or exit the east basin due to the required safety zone for fireworks.
Boat Re-Entry Following Show:
Boats may return to the east basin after the Fire Marshal gives the all-clear following a full safety inspection. We anticipate the all clear before 10:30 PM.
Free guest parking is available at designated parking lots, including the municipal lot, located at Palmetto Avenue and Seminole Boulevard, with on-street parking throughout downtown.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us ensure a safe and enjoyable Independence Day celebration for all!
For approximately one hour after the fireworks show, Officers will man intersections and work traffic lights to expedite downtown traffic. Please review the set traffic patterns on Seminole Blvd, 1st Street or Mellonville Avenue which will assist us to minimize traffic congestion following the event:
Quickest Exit Strategies:
For southbound traffic, use 2nd Street to Mellonville Avenue – both lanes will be restricted to southbound travel to Celery Avenue.
1st Street traffic will continue westbound on 1st Street, over 17-92, toward I-4. This is the only option during this time period – Northbound and Southbound traffic, from 1st Street onto 17-92, will be temporarily restricted during this short time period.
17-92 traffic northbound is restricted to the west turn lane onto 1st Street, heading westward to I-4.
Seminole Boulevard, and all roads north of 1st Street, will continue on Seminole Boulevard, along the Riverwalk to I-4.
Other exit strategies, but without officer-assistance, include:
17-92 southbound traffic access will be available from 3rd Street.
