PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Lake Wales Police Officer Lawrence McCalley instructs the children in bike safety before the Bike Parade begins at Lake Wailes on July 4th.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Kayla Shelton, Colbee Anderson, Kelly Richards, Ashley
Castleberry and Brittany Adams share a reflective moment on the shores of Lake Wailes as they light up the evening with their sparklers, as the indigo horizon bids farewell to another memorable July 4th at the lake.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Kate, Davis and mom Addy Willette were decorated in a

big way for the Lake Wales Arts Council 1st Annual July 4th Bike Parade on the shores of Lake Wailes.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Rudy wore his traditional Fourth of July bowtie as his decoration for the parade.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


YMCA's Sam Terry helps Titan Gibb manuever the obstacle course on the shores of Lake Wailes for the 1st Annual Bike

Parade.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


"You're A Grand Old Flag, You're a high flying Flag and

Forever in Peace may you wave," says the song. Seventeen-month-old Stella Taylor, one of Lake Wales youngest flag wavers, was in full celebration of America

at the Lake Wales Arts Council 1st Annual July 4th Bike Parade.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


David Conner wants you to become a member of the Lake

Wales Arts Council.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Kaleb Meeks has the American flag painted on his face

before riding in the parade. Kids decorated their bikes, ate snow comes, played games and had fun before riding in the parade at the Lake Wailes 4th of July festivities.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Uni-cycle lady, Tina Love, led the Lake Wales Arts Council 1st Annual Bike Parade, to the amazement of the kids that

followed her.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Davis Willette doesn't know how to ride a bike yet but

he still wanted to show his patriotism with his little red wagon.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


The bike paraders pose for a picture after riding their bikes on the shores of Lake Wailes.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


The Eagle Ridge Mall in Lake Wales held 4th of July events including a concert by Michael Ray of Lakeland and Florida

native and headliner Aaron Tippin for free. Fireworks followed the show.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Michael Ray of Lakeland and his band members had just as much fun as the audience during their free concert in celebration of Independence Day.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Audience members of the free concert were more than happy to participate with the bands as they clapped their hands to the beat.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Michael Ray of Lakeland and his band members had just

as much fun as the audience during their free concert in celebration of Independence Day.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


There were crafters, games, food vendors and the ever

popular bounce house for event goers to enjoy.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Brodie Adams starts off his Lake Wailes fireworks experience with a couple of sparklers.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Tressa Rose with her dog entourage enjoyed the Lake

Wailes fireworks from their tailgate. Rose said she looks forward to the fireworks on Lake Wailes every year. "It's a tradition and I love it here!"

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


The Lake Wailes fireworks were still as festive as in years past.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Splashes of brilliant pink cascade from the sky, casting a reflective halo on the waters below.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS


Is it the sun? No - another bright flash follows a loud boom as the fireworks display at Lake Wailes gets underway.