ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – The city of Altamonte Springs is preparing to welcome around 200,000 people to Cranes Roost Park for its annual Red Hot & Boom Independence Day celebration.
According to the city, Red Hot & Boom is the largest Independence Day event in Florida and marks 28 years of live music, food, family fun and a large-scale fireworks show.
“We’re going to shoot the most dense and intense fireworks anywhere in the state,” City Manager Frank Martz said. “We’re going to shoot at least nine fireworks every second for 28 straight minutes.”
The event, which is held Thursday, is happening as tariffs on Chinese imports have impacted fireworks.
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“Our costs were in place before the tariffs really took effect. So, there’s not an appreciable difference in cost related to fireworks,” Martz said. “What I will tell you, that most everything else has gone up in price, so these are expensive but worthy events.”
People who attend Red Hot & Boom are urged to prepare for the heat and also the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms.
“We’re ready rain or shine. We just want people to take a look at the weather before they come,” Martz said. “If we have rain early, usually it gets very, very dense with people here coming in late to see the show.”
Musical entertainment this year features local artists Francesca Tarantino, After 5, Relic, and Steven Cardwell & The Neon Drifters.
The city also said safety is the top priority with more than 300 officers among the crowd, medical tents, and numbers fixed to light poles that help direct first responders where they need to be in the case of an emergency.
“If you see something, say something,” Public Information Officer Deana DiPaola said. “You’re able to call 911, give a description and also give that pole number so that we can get to you quickly as possible.”
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People who attend the event are urged to plan for road closures, prepare for traffic and check the city’s website for updates here.
Red Hot & Boom is from 5-10 p.m. at Cranes Roost Park. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.. weather permitting.