ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – Wednesday signaled the start for the Red, Hot and Boom celebration at Cranes Roost Park.
The event is considered one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in Central Florida. While the city had to make some changes to the fireworks show due to construction near the lake, that’s not stopping crowds from showing up.
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“So, this year the size of the fireworks is going to change but the intensity of them and the spectacular nature of the fireworks show this year is unlike we’ve ever done before,” said City Manager Frank Martz.
Martz said workers were set to shoot almost 15,000 fireworks Wednesday night, and up to 200,000 people were expected to show up.
When it comes to events involving a large amount of people, safety is always a priority. First responders said they were somewhat concerned about the heat.
“It’s going to be extremely hot out here again we are expecting a heat index of over 104 on the day of the event,” said Asst. Chief Tod Zellers with the Seminole County Fire Department.
Dr. Tim Hendrix, the Medical Director of Advent Health Centra Care, shared some information about how people can stay safe during the heat at Fourth of July events.
“You want to say cool in the heat of the day. Plan your activities in the morning and the evening because when you’re out in that heat, when you’re in the sun, you’re exposed to the temperature and you’re active because you’re raising your body temperature because you’re being active, those things are going to put you at risk of heat exhaustion,” Hendrix said.
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