The sky over Zephyr Park lit up with the glow of an amazing fireworks show Saturday night as SummerFest wrapped up its 10th annual festival.
A massive crowd packed the park to enjoy the vendors, petting zoo, bounce houses and live music before lining Zephyr Lake to enjoy the fireworks display.
“Oh, this is amazing.” said City Manager Billy Poe. “This is a really big, great event for the city. You know, this is a family-friendly event for the community. This is what it’s all about, right? Bringing family together, being able to come out and watch fireworks over the water.”
Andrew Cecere brought SummerFest to Zephyrhills a decade ago and it has grown ever since.
“About 10 years ago, when we started doing it, my brother lived in Zephyrhills and his daughter went to all the local schools her whole life. And at the time, there was nothing for families here. Everything was geared toward seniors. So, I’m talking to my brother, I’m like, you know, we could put on something. We can do something, make something.
“We’ve been able to keep it going. Oh, this is one of my favorite events, because so many people come out, everybody leaves happy. It’s free for them. So, everybody has a great time.”
The event made its debut at the right time as the Sparklebration Fourth of July celebration began to fade from existence.
“This kind of came at the right time,” Cecere said. “And that’s why we did we always do this to Saturday before the 4th, because the one in Dade City was on the 4th. We didn’t want to compete. So, we always did this on Saturday before. And then we just kind of stayed with that.”
Families are able to enjoy the event and do not have to change their Fourth of July plans.
“I think doing it the week before, they are still they’re able to come here in their hometown and have a great day with their family,” Poe said.