DADE CITY - Against a background of overcast sky, five skydivers jumped out of an airplane Friday afternoon and descended toward the Pasco County Fairgrounds.
As the parachutists came into view, dozens of people at the popular Sparklebration event covered their eyes and pointed upward as a skydiver with a rainbow-colored parachute unfurled a large American flag that flapped in the warm breeze.
A local color guard displayed another flag inside the Dan Cannon Auditorium. Friends Will Rice of Zephyrhills and Lucille Bernard of Wesley Chapel were inside beating the summer heat. Bernard said she has lived in the area for years but had never attended Sparklebration.
"We just heard a lot of people talking about it, then I read about it in the paper," she said.
The Tampa Tribune was a sponsor of the event.
Rice said the pair likely would stay for the fireworks display scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m.
Earlier Friday, dozens of people attended an Independence Day celebration at Trilby Park, near Mount Olive AME Church. The event was organized by the Greater Trilby Community Association.
As children played baseball, others ran relay races, had their faces painted and wore twisted-balloon creations on their heads. Adults and children ate hot dogs, watermelon and potato chips as they listened to a harmonica-driven gospel group.
Anton Standifer of Dade City strode through the area with Alana, his 21-month-old daughter.
"Some of our relatives are going to have a party after this," he said.
Alana, who had just finished lunch, uncorked a big yawn.
"And after we take a nap," her father said.
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