Traffic plan released for Freedom Festival at CoolToday Park
Published on June 26, 2026
The City of North Port have released the traffic plan for the annual Freedom Festival: Cheers to 250 Years, presented by Dragonfly Dental. The community celebration will take place Saturday, July 4, at CoolToday Park, 18800 W. Villages Pkwy., North Port, FL 34287, beginning at 6 p.m.
This year’s festival invites the community to come together in celebration of Independence Day and a historic national milestone, marking America’s 250th birthday as part of the nationwide America250 commemoration. Freedom Festival: Cheers to 250 Years will feature patriotic entertainment, family activities, food vendors, live music and a fireworks finale to honor the occasion.
Free parking will be available at the park, and the public is encouraged to carpool. A traffic management plan has been established to support safe entry and exit throughout the evening. Slow and safe is the motto of the day!
The opening ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and will include the presentation of colors by Imagine School at North Port Young Marines, the National Anthem performed by Jennifer Montalvo and a special flyover by the Gulf Coast Raptor Formation Flight Team. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m., conditions permitting.
“We’re excited to welcome the community to this year’s Freedom Festival: Cheers to 250 Years,” said Shelby Mendelson, Recreation Manager. “As we celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday, we look forward to bringing everyone together for an evening of community, patriotism and fun. With thousands expected to attend, we encourage everyone to plan ahead, travel safely and consider carpooling so we can celebrate responsibly and create lasting memories together.”
The City is proud to recognize the businesses and organizations that have committed their support to this year’s Freedom Festival: Presenting Sponsor: Dragonfly Dental; Gold Sponsors: Hooper's Backflow Services, National Metering Services, Quality TV Smart Home & Security, Visit Sarasota, Wharton-Smith; Silver Sponsors: Statewide Garage Doors, Tommy's Express Car Wash; Bronze Sponsors: 5th Nail Lounge, Anytime Fitness, Bath Fitter, Bentley & Sons Electric, Lundstrom Home Inspection, Mark Kaufman Roofing, Oasis Eye Care, Optical & Med Spa, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, The Joint Chiropractic; In-Kind Sponsors: Caddy Carts, GEICO Local Office North Port, Gulf Coast Raptors Formation Flight Team, North Port Home Depot, North Port Area Chamber of Commerce, North Port Behavioral Health, Sarasota County, The Hadley, and Imagine School at North Port Young Marines. To receive safety and event-related messages about the festival, text FREEDOM26 to 888-777. More information can be found at NorthPortFL.gov/FreedomFestival.
ENTRANCE PLAN
From North Port: Vehicles traveling from City of North Port and from the East must use West Villages Parkway as the primary entry route. Additional access is available via Mezzo Drive, Merlot Ave and Playmore Blvd., which also provide convenient entry to the event area. Playmore Blvd. will be closed from 9-9:30 p.m. for the fireworks show, weather permitting.
From Venice Vehicles traveling from Venice and from the West may enter through Preto Blvd. and turn left onto Playmore Blvd. to access the event location.
River Road/Manasota Beach will be open and monitored by PD.
EXIT PLAN
To North Port: Travel north on West Villages Parkway and make a right at US 41.
To Venice: Travel north on West Villages Parkway, make a left on Playmore Blvd., then make a right on Preto Blvd. and finally make a left on US 41.