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 PM – 9:15 PM with Bully For You entertaining the crowd! A dazzling fireworks display will begin at 9 PM.

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.

  ---

  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.

  ---

  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!

• Downtown Street Closures

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

• Food Vendors

  There will be a variety of food trucks around Lake Mirror and in the Magnolia Building parking lot.

  ---

  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

  You may bring your own food.  Grills are not permitted.

• Outside Food and Beverages

  Outside food and beverages, including adult beverages, are permitted.

  Grills and glass containers for any beverages are not allowed.

• Rain, Tents, Umbrellas

  RWK takes place, rain or shine!  Personal hand-held umbrellas are allowed, but tents, pop-ups, beach umbrellas or any items that would require staking in the ground, are not.

• 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!

Sponsored by