Wiregrass Celebrating Fourth of July a Day Early

By Ashley Reams

If you’re itching to celebrate the birth of our nation, you’re in luck.

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel will host its second annual Freedom Festival July 3, 5-9 p.m., at The Shops at Wiregrass. It’s being presented by Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel.

The pre-Independence Day celebration will include shopping specials, watermelon eating and bicycle decorating contests, and a Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker Pageant. The event will be capped off by a fireworks display that begins at 9 p.m.

Watermelon Eating Contest

Two groups, ages 7 to 13 and ages 14 and older can compete in this contest, which begins at 5 p.m.

The winner is the person who finished with the best time or the person who has eaten the most watermelon within the time allotted.

The entry fee is $5 and participants must be registered and checked in at the information booth by 4 p.m.

Bicycle Decorating Contest

Kids ages 3 to 11 can participate in this contest, which begins at 6 p.m. Age groups include: 3 to 5 years; 6 to 8 years; and 9 to 11 years.

Parents can help their kids decorate their bikes in a “Freedom Festival” theme. Accompanying costumes are optional, but masks aren’t allowed.

There will be four categories for each age group: Most Patriotic; Most Original; Most Silly; and The Best Overall. Medals and trophies will be awarded.

The entry fee is $5.

Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker Pageant

Kids ages 3 months to 8 years can compete in this pageant, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Age groups include: 3 months to 1 year; 2 to 4 years; and 5 to 8 years.

Kids should wear patriotic, fourth of July outfits and themed costumes. Face painting is optional, but masks aren’t allowed.

Six kids—one boy and one girl from each age group—will be chosen as semi-finalists and appointed “Firecracker Court Attendants.” From those, one girl will be named “Little Miss Firecracker 2013” and one boy will be named “Little Mr. Firecracker 2013.”

Little Miss Firecracker 2013 will receive $100, a sash, a tiara and trophy. Little Mr. Firecracker 2013 will receive $100, a sash, a crown, and trophy. The four semi-finalists will receive a trophy. All participants will receive a medal.

The entry fee is $20.

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For more information, visit the Freedom Festival page on The Shops at Wiregrass website or the Freedom Festival Facebook page.

See also:

Freedom Fest Draws Patriotic Crowd at Wiregrass (2012)