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Fireworks light county skies today

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 4, 2009

Pasco County residents tonight can view two professional fireworks displays - one on each side of the county.

The Hudson American Music Fest and Fireworks Display will be at The Angelus, 12413 Hudson Ave. in Hudson. The inaugural full-day festival is billed to feature the county's "largest fireworks display" today.

Advance $5 tickets are on sale at Patriotic Fireworks locations, Pape Kibos on Hudson Beach or The Angelus. Tickets cost $7 at the gate. Call (727) 856-1775 for information or go to www.theangelus.com/wb/pages/events/fourth.php.

All proceeds will benefit The Angelus, a home for severely handicapped people with cerebral palsy who are not able to care for themselves.

Patriotic Fireworks is footing the $20,000 bill for the display.

Gates will open at 10 a.m. with 10 bands to perform, beginning at 11 a.m. Art, craft and food vendors will be at the grounds.

No coolers or personal fireworks will be allowed. However, lawn chairs and blankets are permitted.

Also, a fireworks display will light the sky today at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

"The annual Sparklebration will once again feature an elaborate fireworks show, but the festivities will include so much more to make sure the patriotism of our country is celebrated," said Tracy J. Thompson, co-chairman of the event hosted by the nonprofit Pasco County Fair Association Inc., in a news release.

There will be old-fashioned fun, including watermelon, hot dog and apple pie-eating contests. There's also an Elvis impersonator, a band, magician, a face-painting clown, a balloon artist and a stilt walker, along with a petting zoo, pony rides and bounce houses. There's a nominal charge for some activities.

Gates open at 4 p.m. today with the fireworks to begin at 9:15 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, with children 10 and younger free. Parking is $5. No alcohol, pets, coolers, food or personal fireworks will be allowed. About 5 p.m., parachutists from Skydive City, carrying an American flag, will drop in on Sparklebration.

Children's activities will include pony rides, Critter Encounters petting zoo, and eight inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses. There's a nominal charge for these activities.

Guests should bring their own chairs or blankets for the fireworks.

The Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, is 7½ miles east of Interstate 75.

For a schedule or concert information, go to www.sparklebration.com or call (352) 567-6678.

A staff report

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