Pasco County will cap off weeks of America 250 celebrations on Friday, July 4, with a marquee all-day event at Sunwest Park in Hudson and a separate patriotic ceremony and fireworks finale in Dade City — giving residents on both sides of the county a place to gather, hear live music and watch the sky light up in honor of the nation's 250th birthday. Both areas cap their nights with fireworks at roughly 9 p.m., so families can plan a full day around whichever end of Pasco is closest to home.
The lineup comes from Pasco County's official America 250 events page, which has featured free family programming across the county from spring through the Fourth.
- Sunwest Park, Hudson: Pasco County Celebrates America 250th, July 4, 3–11 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. ($5 parking fee)
- Dade City Historic Courthouse: East Pasco ceremony, July 4, 6–8 p.m. (free)
- John S. Burks Memorial Park, Dade City: Fireworks show, July 4, 9 p.m. (free)
- An earlier America's Birthday Bash runs July 1, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
West Pasco: A full afternoon at Sunwest Park
The county's biggest west-side gathering, Pasco County Celebrates America 250th, takes over Sunwest Park at 17362 Old Dixie Highway in Hudson from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is free, but there is a $5 parking fee.
Live music anchors the evening, with sets from Chris Dupree, Life of the Party and Shakes Society. Food trucks will be on site, and the night's fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m.
Organizers ask attendees to bring their own chairs for the concert. Please note: no coolers are allowed.
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Sunwest Park is a familiar destination for west Pasco families thanks to its swimming lagoon and beach-style waterfront, so plan for a summer afternoon that stretches well into the evening.
East Pasco: A ceremony in Dade City, fireworks nearby
On the east side, the tone is more traditional. East Pasco County Celebrates America 250th unfolds at the Dade City Historic Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Avenue, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free program leans into ceremony and community pride, according to the county listing.
The evening's activities include:
- Live music from high school and middle school bands, a soloist and a gospel quartet, plus a community sing-along
- A community bell ringing and a piccolo-and-drum entrance
- A Color Guard, the Pledge, the National Anthem and a proclamation
- Declaration of Independence recitations by elementary school students
- Recognition of military members and first responders, plus remarks from various speakers
- Free cupcakes, while supplies last
When the courthouse ceremony wraps, the celebration moves a short distance to John S. Burks Memorial Park, 13220 Gene Nelson Blvd., for the East Pasco fireworks show at 9 p.m. That event is free, with food and drinks available from the Dade City Little League concession.
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Times and locations at a glance
| Event | Where | When |
|---|---|---|
| America's Birthday Bash | Sunwest Park, Hudson | July 1, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| Pasco Celebrates 250th (music, food, fireworks) | Sunwest Park, Hudson | July 4, 3–11 p.m. |
| East Pasco Ceremony | Dade City Historic Courthouse | July 4, 6–8 p.m. |
| East Pasco Fireworks | Burks Memorial Park, Dade City | July 4, 9 p.m. |
Note: Kicking off the holiday week, America's Birthday Bash lands at Sunwest Park on July 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — a daytime lead-in ahead of the big Fourth of July events.
Plan ahead for parking and crowds
Between the $5 parking fee at Sunwest and the two-location setup in Dade City, a little planning goes a long way. West-side visitors should build in extra time for parking around the 9 p.m. fireworks, while east-side families can catch the courthouse ceremony first and then make the short hop to Burks Park for the finale.
Arrive early to claim a good spot, pack your own lawn chairs, and dress for a warm, humid Florida evening. These are just two of nearly a dozen America 250 and Independence Day events happening around Pasco during the holiday stretch.
For the most current details, times and any weather-related changes, check the county's official America 250 page before you head out.
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