Red, White & KABOOM!

(City News Blog) | T. Mims Red, White & Kaboom Site

About

The T.Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom Independence Celebration will take place at Lake Mirror along the Frances Langford Promenade on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. with Gary Love and the Moonlighters, entertaining the crowd before a dazzling fireworks display launches at 9 p.m.

Don't forget the canned & non-perishable food items!

Tom Mims, President of T. Mims Corporation said, “We are very excited to sponsor Red, White & Kaboom again this year and I know the community is looking forward to an awesome event.  It is an excellent opportunity for our community to come together in celebration of our great country with live music and fireworks.”  He added, “We ask all those attending to please bring a canned food item that will help those in need. All non-perishable items benefit Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE). We want everyone to have fun and help support a great cause like VISTE.”

Red, White & Kaboom FAQs

• Admission | VISTE Fundraiser: Bring Canned Goods

  We are asking that everyone who is attending please bring at least one non-perishable food item.  There will be volunteers collecting canned food items that will be donated to Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE).  VISTE is a community-based non-profit organization serving Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry, and Ft. Meade.  Established in 1983, the primary goal is to enable elderly persons to continue living independently and safely in their own homes.

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  Canned Goods

  Each month, VISTE gives a box of supplemental groceries to over 1500 elderly neighbors who need help making ends meet.  We need YOUR help to fill those boxes!

  Some of our most requested items are:

  • Canned soup
  • Canned tomatoes
  • Peanut butter
  • Canned chicken
  • Canned tuna
  • Pasta
  • Ground coffee
  • Canned beans
  • Any nonperishables

  Note: Please do not include glass items.

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  About VISTE

  VISTE (Volunteers in Service to the Elderly) is a community-based non-profit organization serving Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry, and Ft. Meade.  Established in 1983, the primary goal is to enable elderly persons to continue living independently and safely in their own homes.

• Bully For You

   

  

  2026 Red, White & Kaboom musical guests, Bully For You!

                                                                                     Alt rock cover dancy band from right here in Lakeland!  Bully For You brings lots of genres and even more energy!

• Map & Event Schedule

  

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  2025 Red, White & Kaboom Vendors

  1. Big Hot Box
  2. Breezy Eazy Bistro
  3. Burger 21
  4. Donut NV
  5. Fat Maggie’s
  6. The Mango is Mad
  7. Pelican Snoballs
  8. Pipo’s Latin Food
  9. SB&B Seafood
  10. Thunder Hollow Kettle Korn

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  Event Schedule

  • 12:00 p.m. | Mobile Sound Stage Setup
  • 3:00 p.m. | Sound Setup / Band Setup
  • 4:00 p.m. | Sound Check / Food Trucks Arrive
  • 5:00 p.m. | Food Trucks In Place
  • 6:00 p.m. | Address Audience / Gary Love and the Moonlighters - 1st Set
  • 7:15 p.m. | Gary Love and the Moonlighters - 2nd Set
  • 8:15 p.m. | Gary Love and the Moonlighters - 3rd Set
  • 9:00 p.m. | Fireworks
  • 9:15 p.m. | Gary Love and the Moonlighters - Closing Song

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  Restrooms (Accessible) 

  There will be six accessible restrooms around Lake Mirror. Most of these are portalets, and one is in the Lake Mirror Center. 

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  Reserved Parking Spots

  • T. Mims - 6 spots at Lake Mirror surface lot
  • 2 spots at Main Street Garage
• Parking

  Street Parking:

  As this year's Red, White & Kaboom takes place on Friday, July 3. Parking is free after 5 p.m. in public garages*, street spaces, and lots.

  
   *Free parking at the Main Street Garage starts at 3 p.m. Public access to Summit Parking Garage starts at 6 p.m.
  
  

  ACCESSIBLE PARKING

  The parking lot under the Rose Street bridge will serve disabled individuals with a placard or license plate with the international symbol of accessibility.  There is also on-street parking that is marked for accessibility.  All downtown garages have accessible parking spaces as well as accessible parking in these areas that are close to Lake Mirror. 

  • Lake Mirror Parking: 6 spaces
  • Magnolia Building:  5 spaces
  •Peggy Brown Building: 1 space (Van accessible)
  •Parking lot behind Station 1 Fire Station:  2 spaces
  • Front Parking Lot of City Hall:  2 spaces
  •Dedicated accessible Parking Lot for RWK:  Rose Street under the overpass
  •Downtown Garages:  Accessible parking in all garages

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  Downtown Parking Info | Downtown Parking Brochure

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• Downtown Street Closures

  Road closures begin on June 3, at 4 p.m.
  
  

• Food

  During Red, White & Kaboom there will be a variety of food trucks around Lake Mirror and in the Magnolia parking lot.

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  We are excited to welcome the following vendors to Red, White & Kaboom 2026:

  • Chick-fil-A
  • Pipo’s Latin Food
  • Mango is Mad
  • Spontaneous Consumption
  • Castro's Cafe
  • SB&B Seafood
  • Burger 21
  • Big Hot Box
  • Glazed Up Mini Donuts
  • Chief’s Food Truck
  • The Sweet Spot
  • The Pudding Queen

   

  Bringing Food
  You may bring your own food, but grills are not permitted.

• Alcohol at RWK

  Alcohol is permitted, but please no glass bottles or containers.

• Rain

  This is an outside event that will go on, rain or shine! (But we suggest you bring your rain gear, just in case.)

• Tents & Umbrellas

  Tents, pop-ups and beach umbrellas are not permitted during the event. Personal rain umbrellas are permitted for inclement weather, but no umbrellas or any other items are allowed to be staked into the ground.

• Restrooms / ADA Facilities

  There will be restroom stations throughout the event, and ADA accessible restrooms will be available at all stations.

   

  

• Pets

  Pets on leashes are allowed. Just remember some pets are sensitive to loud noises and may not enjoy the fireworks.

• RWK a Family-Friendly Event

  Red, White & Kaboom is most certainly a family-friendly event!

• Personal fireworks and sparklers at RWK

  The City of Lakeland does not allow visitors to bring fireworks and sparklers to this event for safety reasons. By prohibiting personal fireworks and sparklers, the city can better control the use of pyrotechnics and minimize the risk of accidents or injuries.

• How long has Red, White & Kaboom been happening?

  RWK has been happening since 2004!

• When does the event start/end?

  Red, White & Kaboom takes place from 6-9:15 PM; fireworks start at 9 PM.

• Why July 3rd?

  Publix Field at Joker Marchant does fireworks on July 4th each year following the Lakeland Flying Tigers Baseball game. We figure there is nothing wrong with celebrating our nation twice!

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