Altamonte Springs, Florida – The popular Red Hot & Boom event kicked off Thursday afternoon with a sudden downpour and thunder, catching many attendees by surprise at Cranes Roost Park.
“I told them it was gonna rain. Nobody listened to me,” said Kari, a local from Orlando, as his family took cover. “We checked the forecast before we left,” he added. His mother, Mionca Warren, shrugged it off: “Rain, snow, hail or sleet — we outside.”
Despite the storm, the family – like many others – stuck with their plans and waited it out. “It’s Florida, man. It can happen any day,” said Kari’s father, Charles Hylick. “The weather’s unpredictable. When you show up to an event, just bring everything. Keep your jacket in the car.”
As skies cleared later in the evening, celebrations resumed. According to the City of Altamonte Springs, around 200,000 people were expected to attend the event, most of them eager for the fireworks show to go on.
“We always get this every year, and it stops,” said Altamonte Springs resident Kendra Smith. “It should be done about 9 o’clock — get ready for some fireworks.”
Other Independence Day celebrations were also underway Thursday across Central Florida, in places like Mount Dora, Baldwin Park, and Port Canaveral. So far, no fireworks shows have been canceled or delayed.
Frank Martz, city manager of Cranes Roost Park, promised a memorable night: “We’re gonna shoot the most dense and intense fireworks anywhere in the state.”
Both organizers and attendees reminded everyone to stay safe in the Florida heat, bringing plenty of water, towels, and a change of clothes to stay cool. Afternoon highs hit 91°F (33°C), with high humidity levels lingering across the Altamonte Springs area.
