Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More
Continue in Browser
Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts.
Please enter a valid zipcode.
Save
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Altamonte Springs kicked off the Fourth of July festivities with their most intense fireworks show they have ever done in the 29 years of Red Hot and Boom. Thousands of people packed the streets.
“This is actually our first time coming to the event,” said Roman Carrasco, from Altamonte Springs.
But for others, it’s a long-time tradition in Central Florida. “It is literally like a bonding community thing,” said Mashal Mardanzai from Orlando.
There was music, food, fun, fans to keep cool and so many American flags. “I love America, I love how the Americans are not shy to wave the flag,” said Corlia MacDonald, who immigrated from South Africa several years ago.
“Just the fact that you come from another country to be able to give your children a better future and then Independence Day is very special."
Now, she brings her family and friends from other countries to see how Altamonte Springs celebrates America. “I have gone to different places, and when I have come here once because somebody told me it was amazing. Ever since then I am not going to go anywhere else because they have the best fireworks, the best fireworks in town,” MacDonald said.
This year to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Altamonte Springs hosted its biggest fireworks show with 10 fireworks a second for 25 minutes.
“It is a good show, it is very good. It’s definitely worth it,” said Lilah Lanford, from Orlando.
It’s something the community is proud of and wants to show off to its visitors. "This event began as our effort to let people know where Altamonte Springs was, so we started to shoot fireworks 29, 30 years ago. Now it is a regional destination,” said Frank Martz, the city manager in Altamonte Springs.
This year, Red Hot and Boom was true to the name as red outfits flooded the streets, the heat was in the air and many big booms went off over the water.
Leave a Reply