By Positively Osceola Staff
On Thursday, July 4, the City of St. Cloud lit up the sky—and spirits—with one of Central Florida’s most anticipated Independence Day celebrations: 4th on the Lake – Road to the Semi-Quincentennial. Despite a brief pause due to stormy weather, the event turned into an unforgettable evening filled with community pride, patriotic energy, and fireworks that wowed the crowd at St. Cloud’s Lakefront Park.
Hosted by the City of St. Cloud and sponsored by Toho Water Authority, Orlando Health, AdventHealth, and OUC, the event began at 4 p.m. and drew residents and visitors of all ages for an afternoon packed with festivities. From the moment guests arrived, the lakeside park buzzed with energy—featuring live music, food trucks, a classic car show, games, and more.
Families and children enjoyed a patriotic Kids Bike Parade, festive Kids Zones, local vendors, and a variety of delicious eats at the food court and bar. The Afterglow Band got the party started early, setting the tone for a lively celebration ahead.
As storms moved into the area, city leadership made the call to temporarily clear the park out of an abundance of caution due to lightning. Thanks to the swift and professional coordination of city officials and the St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Department, the interruption was brief. Once the weather cleared and the all-clear was given, the celebration safely resumed—earning cheers from the community.
The evening continued with an electrifying performance by the Derek Mack Band, who brought the crowd back to their feet and kept the party going strong. The night concluded with a spectacular fireworks show set to music at 9:15 p.m., a dazzling tribute to America’s 249th birthday and a fitting reminder of the event’s theme: Road to the Semi-Quincentennial, marking the countdown to the nation’s 250th in 2026.
A surprise highlight of the evening was a sneak peek at “The Lillie,” a beautifully restored paddleboat from the Old Florida Riverboat Company. The riverboat is set to launch tours on East Lake Tohopekaliga later this month or early August and promises to be a unique new addition to St. Cloud’s waterfront charm.
From the thoughtful event layout to the resilience and teamwork shown in the face of inclement weather, St. Cloud’s 4th on the Lake stood out as one of the city’s finest Independence Day celebrations yet.
Hats off to St. Cloud’s leadership and Parks and Recreation team for delivering an event that honored the past, celebrated the present, and looked ahead to a bright future. Happy 249th Birthday, America—and well done, St. Cloud!
