Hey St. Cloud.
It is a full holiday weekend. Fireworks over the lake Saturday, a sunset cruise on the Lillie, a seafood boil at Crabby's, and we just got named the safest small city in Florida. Here's everything worth knowing this week.
THIS WEEKEND
4th on the Lake
Sat July 4 · 4pm to 9:15pm · Lakefront Park, 1104 Lakeshore Blvd
The biggest night of the summer. Car show, a Paul Bunyan lumberjack show, kids bike parade, hot dog and ice cream eating contests, live music from Modern Ties, then an expanded fireworks show over East Lake Toho at 9:15 for the country's 250th. Free. Get there early, parking fills fast. Map · Details
Star Spangled Cruise on the Lillie
Sat July 4 · 7pm to 10pm · Old Florida Riverboat Co, 1402 Lakeshore Blvd
A sunset cruise on the restored 1880s paddleboat with live music, a red white and blue BBQ spread, and front row seats to the fireworks over the lake. Ticketed and limited, so book ahead. Map · Details
Stars and Stripes Seafood Boil
Sun July 5 · 5pm to 8pm · Crabby's on the Lakefront, 1104 Lakeshore Blvd
Cool off the holiday with a seafood boil right on the water, cold drinks, and live music from Mauricio Camacho. Lake view included. Map · Details
COMING UP
Soldier City Market
Sat July 11 · 9am to 12pm · Veterans Park, 1201 13th St
The community market's new Saturday run. Local makers, food, and veterans resources in a park that is finally busy again. Free. Map · Details
Sami's Birthday Bash
Sat July 18 · 10am to 1pm · St. Cloud Civic Center, 3001 17th St
Our sandhill crane mascot gets an all American carnival with games, food, and family fun. Free and made for the kids. Map · Details
AROUND TOWN
We are officially Florida's safest small city. An analysis of FBI property crime data put St. Cloud at number one among the state's small cities. Not bad for a town growing this fast.
A big new plaza is on the way. The Heritage project is set to bring a shopping center anchored by a grocery store, plus big box stores, restaurants, medical offices, two hotels, and around 600 apartments. Construction is expected to start later this year.
Local schools are climbing. Osceola County schools, which serve St. Cloud families, posted strong gains on the 2026 state achievement scores.
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
Phyre Brewery and Tavern
A vintage speakeasy themed spot downtown at 918 New York Ave. Small batch brews, a full bar, and live jazz and acoustic every Saturday and Sunday. Easy place to land after a walk downtown.
Got a business to nominate? Reply and tell us who and why.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
CTR Roofing
Summer storms hit St. Cloud roofs hard. CTR Roofing handles inspections, repairs, and full replacements, and they keep it simple from the first call to the last nail.
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DID YOU KNOW
Ever driven past Mt. Peace Cemetery and wondered about all the old headstones? It is called one of the largest Union cemeteries south of the Mason-Dixon line that never saw a battle. St. Cloud started in 1909 as a colony for Union Civil War veterans, which is how we got the Soldier City name. Fitting week to remember it.
Sources: Osceola History, Experience Kissimmee
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Missed Issue 16? We had National Treasure on the big screen by the lake, the Soldier City Market, the world's largest swimming lesson, St. Cloud getting featured as Osceola's growth engine, and the bookstore downtown with a hidden speakeasy. Read it here.
Go enjoy your weekend, St. Cloud. We'll be back Thursday.
- Rob
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