WELLINGTON, FL — Most of Wellington's America 250 weekend is free. The exception is Friday's pool party, where $2.50 covers admission and a hot dog or hamburger combo.
The Village of Wellington has scheduled three days of patriotic events July 2 through 4 in honor of the country's 250th anniversary, according to the village. The weekend culminates with the annual Fourth of July Celebration at Village Park, with the village also taking part in what it calls America's Block Party, the largest synchronized Fourth of July celebration in U.S. history.
Mayor Michael J. Napoleone has issued a video message inviting residents and visitors to the lineup, the village said.
The events begin Thursday, July 2, with a Thursday Nights in Wellington edition built around the America 250 theme at the Wellington Amphitheater. According to the village, food trucks and market vendors will set up from 5 to 9 p.m., with The Bruce: A Bruce Springsteen Tribute scheduled for 6 p.m. and Homegrown: The Zac Brown Band Experience at 7:30 p.m. The amphitheater event is free, and guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for lawn seating.
The Patriotic Pool Party follows on Friday, July 3, at the Wellington Aquatics Center from 3 to 8 p.m. Admission is $2.50 per person on a first come, first served basis as capacity allows, the village said. Each ticket includes one complimentary food ticket valid from 3 to 6 p.m. for a hot dog or hamburger, chips and a drink. According to the village, the afternoon will include DJ music, games, giveaways and a cannonball contest.
The weekend closes Saturday, July 4, at Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road. Activities run from 6 to 9 p.m., with fireworks by Pyrotecnico scheduled for 9:15 p.m. The display lasts approximately 20 minutes and is set to music broadcast on 88.7 FM, according to the village. Admission and on-site activities are free.
Live entertainment at Village Park includes Only in America, a Brooks & Dunn tribute, at 6 p.m., followed by Tribute to the Troops: A Heartfelt Musical Celebration at 7:30 p.m. Family activities listed by the village include inflatables, a rock climbing wall, a petting zoo, face painting, free bingo inside the gym from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and HADO, an augmented reality sport. Roughly 20 food trucks are scheduled to attend.
On-site parking at Village Park is limited, the village said. A free shuttle will run from The Mall at Wellington Green, picking up at the Palm Tran bus stop near Macy's beginning at 5:30 p.m. Shuttles will pause while fireworks are underway and resume after the show, according to the village. The rideshare drop-off is on 120th Avenue, and golf carts must be parked in designated areas on arrival.
The village has partnered with KultureCity to provide a quiet area inside the Village Park Gym in rooms 2A and 2B for guests who may need a lower-stimulation space. Sensory bags will be available for free checkout. In the event of inclement weather, the village said updates will be posted to the Special Event Status line on RainoutLine.
For information on the amphitheater event, the village pointed to its Community Services Department at 561-753-2484. Questions about the pool party can be directed to the Wellington Aquatics Center at 561-791-4770. Additional event details are posted on the village's America 250 page.
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