By Peter Covino
Lifestyles Editor

Happy 236th Birthday, U.S.A.

There are lots of Independence Day activities throughout Central Florida including fireworks, a parade and concerts in Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Celebration (for a complete rundown on those activities go to aroundosceola.com or check Thursday’s Osceola News-Gazette).

If you want to check out the theme parks, Disney, SeaWorld and Universal Orlando all have lots of Fourth of July activities planned.

The Magic Kingdom at Disney is always a favorite place to get that red, white and blue feeling and 2012 is no different.

The most popular park in Central Florida and one of the most visited in the world will celebrate the holiday with fireworks at 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

And the Main Street Electrical Parade gets moved to 10 p.m. to cap the evening both nights. The park is open until 11 p.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have a special fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. and an evening show of Fantasmic! At 9 p.m. before the fireworks.

Epcot will have special Independence Day shows all around the park throughout the day including the Voices of Liberty starting at 11:45 a.m. There is an extra performance of the Sounds Like Summer concert at the America Gardens Theatre  with shows at 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth will begin at 10 p.m.

Over at Universal Studios,  Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular, a new show at the theme park has a show at 10 p.m. The high-tech show at the lagoon, features famous scenes from more than 100 Universal Pictures films. The show uses four-story-tall, 360-degree projection cinespheres, original music lasers and fireworks.  The July 4 edition  will also feature a patriotic finale, complete with fireworks display. The show begins at 10 p.m.

SeaWorld will be at its patriotic best as well with a fireworks finale over Ski Lake. The fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m. with best viewing spots at Ski Stadium. The stadium will open at 7:45 p.m. for the event.

The fun at SeaWorld includes SeaWorld Summer Nights, a nighttime rock n’ roll spectacle with live DJs, evening shows, Shamu Rocks and the  Sea Lions Tonite  comedy show.

The Fourth of July events are included with theme park admission.

If you are in Kissimmee for the July 4 event, you might want to check out Quokka Coffee downtown. The coffee specialty shop (they also serve wine and beer) will be open during the evening with drink specials and more.

LEGOLAND

The area’s newest theme park celebrates its first Fourth of July with lots of family type activities.

Red Brick and Boom runs from July 4-7. Features include special glasses that turn ordinary fireworks into millions of exploding LEGO bricks. The park will have extended hours with four nights of fireworks at 9 p.m.

A special all-American blow-out bash is reserved just for the Fourth with atmospheric entertainment, backyard games and a Party in Miniland USA. Families can also build their very own star to add to LEGOLAND Florida’s first American Flag made out of thousands of LEGO bricks.

Red, Brick and Boom is included with park admission.  LEGOLAND has a special offer for Florida residents, the Premium Pass.  To purchase tickets, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

Red Hot & Boom!

Cranes Roost Lake in Altamonte Springs is the home of  Central Florida’s biggest July 4 celebration.

The event includes the obligatory fireworks at 9:30 p.m., plus nationally and internationally known entertainers throughout the day. It starts at 4 p.m. and continues until 11 p.m. There are food and beverage booths and more. No pets, coolers or personal fireworks allowed. Admission is free.

Olde Fashioned

Celebration

You don’t have to wait until Wednesday to celebrate the holiday with Winter Park’s Olde Fashioned July  4th Celebration. The free July 3 event is at Central Park in downtown Winter Park and features a patriotic parade, hot dog eating contest and fun activities for the family. The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Also in Winter Park, July 4, admission to the Morse Museum of American Art is free from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fireworks at

the Fountain

Another one of Central Florida’s favorite events is Fireworks at the Fountain in downtown Orlando at Lake Eola.

It begins with an afternoon at the park with games, activities, live entertainment and food followed by a 30-minute fireworks show. Admission is free.

Bike parade

The Lake Wales Arts Council will host a new event, the 4th of July Bike Parade.

The artistic parade begins on the shores of Lake Wailes lake. Participants can register at 9 a.m. near the basketball court.

The Arts Council will provide art supplies and instruction for children to decorate their bikes, trikes, wagons and scooters. Parents are encouraged to decorate baby buggies. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. For more information  call 863-676-8426.

Orlando World Center

For a more relaxed getaway, Orlando World Center Mariott there is music for kids of all ages at the pool pavilion through July 5. The resort is also  hosting a special July 4 buffet at Solaris. It is All-American fare with coleslaw, barbecue chicken, macaroni and roasted corn salad, pork ribs and a dessert bar.

The buffet will be open from noon until 4 p.m. and prices are $21.95 for adults, $10.95 for children. Reservations are recommended for large parties. Call 407-238-8528 for information/reservations.