Homestead Celebrates America’s 250th at Race to the 4th

The City of Homestead’s annual Race to the 4th brought thousands of residents and visitors to Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, July 4, for an evening of fireworks, music, family activities and patriotic celebration.

The long-running Independence Day tradition, held from 5 to 10 p.m., once again offered free admission and free parking, drawing large crowds not only into the speedway but throughout the surrounding parking areas, where families watched from cars and gathered together to take in the celebration.

This year’s event carried special significance as the nation marked the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The evening was filled with community pride, patriotic joy and a strong sense of togetherness as Homestead joined cities across the country in celebrating America’s milestone birthday.

The celebration featured live music, entertainment, a Kids & Art Zone, food trucks, cold drinks and family-friendly activities throughout the venue.

AJ Gaytan and Southern Stampede performed from the event stage, while children had plenty of opportunities to enjoy games and activities before the evening’s main attractions.

Even rain earlier in the night could not take away from the celebration. While the showers dampened Homestead-Miami Speedway, they did not dampen the spirit of the crowd. After the rain passed, the sky cleared enough for Mother Nature to add her own touch to the evening with a magnificent sunset over the speedway.

Bella Cianni performed the National Anthem as the Homestead Police Department Color Guard presented the national colors. Miss Homestead Rodeo Cristina Pernas and national rodeo competitor Janelis Egozcue also participated in the Lap of Honor. Egozcue is set to compete in the National High School Rodeo Finals later this year.

Mayor Steve Losner welcomed the crowd from the stage, joined by members of the Homestead City Council and local elected officials. City leaders spoke about the significance of celebrating Independence Day during the country’s 250th anniversary year and thanked the community for coming together for one of Homestead’s signature events.

The night’s headline attraction was the city’s “Best Fireworks Show in South Florida,” which lit up the sky above the speedway in a colorful patriotic display. After the fireworks, drones took to the air for a second show, forming a variety of patriotic images before concluding with the message, “The Future Lives Here.”

For many families, the evening was more than a fireworks show. It was a reminder of Homestead’s hometown pride, its growing place in South Florida and the community spirit that continues to make Race to the 4th one of the region’s most anticipated Independence Day traditions.