Independence Day in Lake Worth Beach

GET READY TO CELEBRATE AMERICA’s 250 BIRTHDAY

Parachutes, Drones and Fireworks

Celebrate Independence Day in the City of Lake Worth Beach at the annual 4th of July Celebration presented by Benny’s on the Beach on Saturday, July 4, 2026!

The day kicks off with the beloved Great American Raft Race hosted by the National Association of Presidents Councils (NAPC). Festivities begin with the raft parade at 10:00 a.m., down Lake Ave., followed by the official raft race at 12:00 p.m. at the Bryant Park Boat Ramp, bringing together neighborhoods, businesses, and community groups for a fun-filled patriotic competition on the water.

At 5:30 p.m., there will be a hot dog eating contest in Bryant Park. Contestant slots are full but you can email kwilliams@lakeworthbeachfl.gov to join contestant waitlist.

The evening celebration takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Bryant Park and features live entertainment and family-friendly activities. Guests can enjoy live music from Sekond Nature at 7:30 p.m. and performances by Elton & The Jets, an Elton John tribute band, at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

The event also includes a parachute team demonstration at 7:30 p.m., an exciting drone show at 9:00 p.m., and a fireworks finale at 9:15 p.m.

This free community celebration offers something for all ages and invites residents and visitors alike to enjoy an unforgettable evening along the waterfront with music, entertainment, patriotic spirit, and one of South Florida’s favorite Fourth of July traditions. Bryant Park is located at 100 S. Golfview Road, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460.

5:30 PM Hot Dog Eating Contest
4th of July Celebration - Bryant Park
6 PM - 10 PM
7:30 PM Parachute Team Demonstration
7:35 PM Sekond Nature
8:30 PM Elton & The Jets
9:00 PM Drone Show
9:15 PM Fireworks
9:30 PM Elton & the Jets

On America's Birthday, Democrats inject Politics into the celebration

Leonard Bryant Photography

How Susan B. Anthony crashed the Great American Raft Race in Lake Worth Beach

HOURS BEFORE FIREWORKS lit up the sky, two Lake Worth Beach activists sparked a Fourth of July kerfuffle on water.

With thousands watching the start of the annual Great American Raft Race, a banner unfurled from the end of a Bryant Park pier above the Lake Worth Lagoon: “NO SELF RESPECTING WOMAN SHOULD WISH OR WORK FOR THE SUCCESS OF A PARTY THAT IGNORS HER SUCCESS – Susan B. Anthony 1872 and 1894.”

It was a sign of the times, past and present, a message especially worth sharing on Independence Day, said the bed-sheet banner’s creators, activist Carole Fields and artist AnnaMarie Windisch-Hunt, a Democrat.

“We had our backs to the people, cheering the races on. We weren't yelling things out. We just had the banner dropped,’’ Fields said. She refused to remove the banner when the police arrived and asked her to take it down.

Some people were not amused.

Jeff Clemens even piped in about First Amendment Rights after Craig Frost, head of the Association Presidents Council said it was very sad that they were there to make a political statement as it was not the time nor the place.

Read the rest of Joe Capozzi's article

In actuality, the Republican Party is the only party advocating for women's rights...as an example, banning men participating in women's sports. I am only guessing that the banner creators were talking about the right of abortion or killing babies in the womb.

And the irony of all of this is that Susan B. Anthony was a Republican and came to prominence for women's suffrage--their right to vote. The Republican Party pioneered the right of women to vote and was consistent in its support throughout the long campaign for acceptance. "It was the first major party to advocate equal rights for women and the principle of equal pay for equal work."

Set me straight, Annamaria!

Lake Worth Beach Great American Raft Race

Neighbors compete in Lake Worth Beach’s Great American Raft Race

The Tropical Ridge neighborhood won the competition

July 4th Events in Lake Worth Beach

July 4th Celebration Activities

The City of Lake Worth Beach will be hosting their annual July 4th Celebration sponsored by Benny's on the Beach on Friday, July 4, 2025.

The festivities begin with the Annual Great American Raft Race which will take place in Bryant Park. This year’s theme is “Summer Camp! This one time… at the raft race!”.

The Great American Raft Race
Location: Lake Worth Beach Boat Ramps at Bryant Park
Schedule of Events:
10:00 a.m. -- Raft Race Line-Up at Bryant Park Boat Ramp
11:00 a.m. -- Raft Judging
12:00 p.m. -- Race Begins

The Great American Raft Race is organized by the Neighborhood Association Presidents Council (NAPC) and is an opportunity for local neighborhoods and businesses to take part in friendly competition and celebrate life in the City by the Sea.

July 4th Celebration sponsored by Benny's on the Beach
Location: Bryant Park
The celebration continues from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with a free, family-friendly celebration at Bryant Park which includes food trucks, shopping, a free Kids Zone packed with family-friendly activities and live music by Marijah & The Reggae All Stars, DJ One-Twelve and "The Petty Hearts", a Tom Petty tribute band along with special performance of the United States National Anthem by Violet Skye Claggett and the Lake Worth High School Color Guard.

Prohibited Items at the event:
• Personal fireworks
• Glass containers
• Personal drones
• Alcohol
• Pets -- Due to the high foot traffic and large crowds expected at this event, we kindly ask that pets be left at home for everyone's safety and comfort.

Schedule of Events
5 p.m. - July 4th Celebration Opens

5 p.m. to 9 p.m. -- NEW Red, White & Booths Market
A new vendor market will be onsite featuring local businesses and artists.

5 p.m. to 9 p.m. -- On the Main Stage
* Lake Worth High School Color Guard with Violet Skye Claggett signing the National Anthem
* Marijah & The Reggae All Stars
* DJ ONE-TWELVE
* Tom Petty Tribute Band - The Petty Hearts

9 p.m. - Fireworks
Fireworks Information:
9 p.m. -- Fireworks will be launched from the Lake Worth Beach Golf Club on Friday, July 4, 2025, from 9:00 PM to approximately 9:30 PM.

July 4th Raft Race Lake Worth Beach

College Park Raft took home the "Grunge Cup" this year

second year in a row

Read more...

For all of you who didn't attend.

Kavasutra won the Lake Worth Raft Race

Read about the win...

Independence Day in Lake Worth

Independence Day Celebrations

July 4th

11:30am - Parade
1:00pm - Raft Race
3:00pm - The Gravel Kings
4:00pm - JM & The Sweets
5:00pm - Showcase Winner
6:00pm - Brothers of Others
7:00pm - Matthew Curry
9:00pm - FIREWORKS

Jon Faust, NAPC President, promoting the event at the

 June 20th Commission meeting.
 The Raft Race theme this year is "Under the Big Top."

Great American "Rif Raft" Race

Comment Up

Sponsored by the NAPC, this was a great parade and raft race...probably the best one to date! It was, however, the hotest day for an Independence Day in my recent memory due to the heat factor caused by the early morning rain. They say it reached 98^ but it felt like 120^. The paramedics even arrived at the scene with a stretcher...someone passed out. All those who signed up to be dunked, enjoyed the relief when they landed in the water tank. The person who looked like she was having the most fun? Karrie Casper--great dancing! All the rafts were wonderful but my personal favorite for creativity was Boating for Dummies and next was the City of Lake Worth's Grapes of Raft. Besides the clever name, the boat was artistically designed as well as the costumes. And it didn't sink this year!

Great American Raft Race

Some really great photos...Click here

Getting ready for July 4th Raft Race

Lake Worth Commissioner rafters

The Pirates of Penzance

Scott Maxwell and Christopher McVoy

The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty

Raft Races in Lake Worth

Comment Up

The Winners - Lake Worth Kiwanis

The Losers - Parrot Cove Neighborhood Association (sorry guys)

Loser Runner-up--City Hall
Raftsmen were Jaime Brown, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell,
 CM Michael Bornstein and Commissioner Chris McVoy