The whole area jumps the gun on the Fourth this weekend. The Big Bang! lights up Lady Lake Saturday night, the 3 Dog Nite tribute 3DN plays The Villages square, and Ocala stages its Red, White, & OSO Blue America-250 revue all weekend. Pick a fireworks show -- there's more than one. It's Florida summer at full tilt -- mid-90s and humid, with the usual afternoon thunderstorm odds Friday and Saturday, the kind that build up, dump for twenty minutes, and clear. Sunday's a touch drier. Plan the outdoor stuff for morning or evening, and keep half an eye on the sky for Saturday's Big Bang fireworks.
Saturday
The Big Bang! -- Lady Lake's Independence Day Celebration -- Lady Lake, 6 PM ET
The area's big pre-Fourth fireworks night, right in the core of The Villages. Music, food, and a show after dark. Stake out a spot early -- this is the one the whole town turns out for.
3DN: The Ultimate 3 Dog Nite Tribute -- Savannah Center, The Villages, 3 PM ET
"Joy to the World," "Mama Told Me," "One" -- the Three Dog Night catalog done right at the Savannah Center. A crowd-pleaser for a Villages Saturday, and an easy one to build a night around.
Grand Prix Dining Experience -- World Equestrian Center, Ocala, 6:30 PM ET
Dinner and show jumping at the World Equestrian Center -- the upscale Saturday option, where the meal and the Grand Prix competition share a night. Dress the part.
Red, White, & OSO Blue: 250 Years -- Reilly Arts Center, Ocala, 3 PM ET
The Ocala Symphony's America-250 musical revue, running Saturday and Sunday at the Reilly. A polished, patriotic afternoon if a fireworks field isn't your speed. Over on the Gulf side, Homosassa throws its own fireworks festival Saturday evening.
Sunday
Mount Dora Village Market -- Sunset Park, Mount Dora, 9 AM ET
Wind the weekend down at the Sunday market in Sunset Park -- local makers, produce, and coffee under the oaks. The mellow close before the real Fourth lands next week.
The Full Lineup
Find everything happening this weekend at the Villa + Cala events page.
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