Area fire bans won’t affect July 4th Fireworks at Downtown Avalon Park in East Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Fire bans in 17 Central Florida counties won’t affect the gala fireworks celebration planned at Avalon Park in east Orlando on July 4.

Stephanie Hodson, marketing director at Avalon Park Group, said every precaution has been taken to assure the safety of the fireworks celebration in Downtown Avalon Park and county and fire officials have given their go-ahead for the evening’s event.

Hodson said Avalon Park expects record crowds for its ninth annual Fourth of July celebration, slated for 5 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Avalon Park.

Family friendly activities will include more than 100 vendors, an apple pie bake-off sponsored by Davis Bakery and a bike parade sponsored by Eastside Cycling and the Avalon Park YMCA; live community performances, a hot dog eating contest sponsored by Pop Pop’s Ice Cream & More, a home run derby sponsored by Brianto’s Original Hoagies and Avalon Park Baseball, and special 3D glasses sponsored by Avalon Town Center Realty to view the fireworks display scheduled to start at 9 p.m.

The event will include a special ceremony honoring fallen Soldier Cpl. Patrick Deans, who was killed in Afghanistan in December. Deans, a graduate of Timber Creek High School, was a member of the Timber Creek Junior ROTC.

Admission to the event is free and parking is ample, Hodson said. Guests are advised to arrive early and bring blankets and folding chairs.

“We anticipate a big crowd,” Hodson said.