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Bargains: July

Celebrating Independence Day calls for umpteen picnics, parades, and fireworks no matter where you live. Here in Florida, freebies and cheapies join in the fun, not only July 4th weekend, but throughout a whole month dedicated to National Recreation and Parks. Take a look at a few:

Saturday, July 3: Big name performers, food, drink, and fireworks are in the works at the Red Hot and Boom celebration, Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs. FREE. 407-571-8180.www.uptownaltamonte.com

Manatee Springs State Park offers competitive races between family teams from 10 a.m-2 p.m during Family Fun Day. FREE with Park admission, $6 per carload 2-8 persons; less for single, bikes and walk-ups. 352-493-6072. www.floridastateparks.org

It’s an old-time Independence Day celebration at Tampa’s Cracker Country from 10 a.m-4 p.m., with crafts, games, and competitions ala late 1800s. $7 adults, $6 ages 6-12 and seniors; veterans ∏ price; FREE for active military and immediate families with ID. Free parking, Orient Rd. entrance, State Fairgrounds. 813-627-4225. http://www.crackercountry.org.

Sunday, July 4: Jacksonville presents Liberty Celebration and Fireworks from 4-9:30 p.m. at the Sea Walk Pavilion. It’s music, food and fun before the skies light up from the beach. FREE.

Lake Eola, Orlando is the site of a FREE fireworks display and laser show , so pack your picnic basket, blankets and kids, for a fun evening. 407-246-2121. http://www.cityoforlando.net

Celebration Town Center adds a parade and live music to their fireworks. FREE. 407-566-4015. http://www.celebrationtowncenter.com

It’s a big blowout at Kissimmee Lakefront Park where karaoke, arts & crafts, bingo, food, fireworks, and a water-ski show are all part of the mix. FREE. 407-933-8368.

Apopka’s Roger Williams Field is the site for a day of live music, food, games and prizes, before the fireworks begin. FREE. 407-886-2277.

St. Cloud puts on a big FREE bash on the Lakefront with carnival rides, a petting zoo, classic car show, model stock car racing, arts & crafts, and live music. Of course there’s food and fireworks. 407-892-3671.

Hollywood Beach features contests in limbo, apple stacking and roasted corn eating from 12-9 p.m at the Beach Theatre, Johnson Street. Little Miss Fireworks is chosen before the off-shore show. 954-921-3404. http://www.visithollywoodfl.org

In Coconut Grove, the Barnacle Historic State Park presents an old-fashioned picnic, lawn games, live music and food. $5 adult, $3 ages 6-12) 305-442-6866. www.floridastateparks.org <http://www.floridastateparks.org/>

Sunday, July 11: Music fills the evening air on the 2nd Sunday of each month, June-August during the Jacksonville Beach Summer Jazz Concert Series.5-9 p.m. Sea Walk Pavilion. FREE. http://www.jaxbeachjazz.com

Saturday, July 17: FREE entry to ALL Florida State Parks (except Skyway Fishing Pier) in honor of National Recreation and Parks Month. Some will have special programs; e.g. a guided tour at Washington Oaks Gardens; launch of Geocaching program at Jonathan Dickinson. For ones nearest you, click on http://www.floridastateparks.org

Sunday, July 18: $5 day per person at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo. Visit the animals for little money, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 813-935-8552. http://www.lowryparkzoo.com

Saturday, July 24: It’s Summer Jazz on the Gulf Coast at the Naples Beach Hotel. FREE. 851 Gulfshore Blvd. N. 239-261-2222. http://www.naples-florida.info

Ongoing: ANY day it’s your birthday now means FREE daytime admission to the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa as long as you come on the actual day, with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas. You must present acceptable proof of birth date, e.g. driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, military ID and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Check www.vacationfunflorida.com/blog for frequent updates and specials.

Love the outdoors? Want to do your part in preserving the state’s environment? The Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service has joined with Volunteer USA Adventures to offer families, organized groups, and individuals, an affordable holiday while conserving outdoor recreation areas. In exchange for helping on such projects as clearing trails and waterways, volunteers will be given complimentary entrance to the park and campsite space, if available. To see what, where, and when current projects are available, click on www.volunteerUSAdventures.com

Keep checking Bargains, www.vacationfunflorida.com/blog , and Tampa Bay on the Cheap for more bargains or events for little money.