Local

Thousands turn out for Red Hot and Boom despite rain

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — An estimated 100,000 people descended upon Crane's Roost Wednesday in Altamonte Springs for the annual Red, Hot and Boom.

It's one of the biggest 4th of July celebrations in central Florida.

They were all waiting for one thing.

"A lot of lights," park-goer Lawrence Butcher said.

The fireworks, and the headlining act, the Jonas Brothers, were pushed back, and crowds asked to take cover when a storm rolled in. When the show did start, the power went out at one point.

Earlier in the night, a massive number of people could be seen crowding Crane's Roost from Skywitness 9.

Some in the crowd got a little out of hand. At one point, police had to break up a fight.

"Just have that patience. You're out here to enjoy and have a good time so don't ruin the night by getting upset over something simple," Officer Rob Pelton with the Altamonte Police Department

Several law enforcement agencies spread out throughout the park to deal with any problems, but for the most part, the biggest problem was rain.

The celebration brought out the food trucks.

Sweets For U Vendor Mya Foss said she didn't think the rain would keep people away.

"I don't think so. I think it rains and then the sun comes out, and everyone just comes to celebrate and it's just great," Foss said.

WFTV hopped a ride inside one of the food trucks to see what it takes to prepare to feed a crowd of thousands.

"You're talking 4 o'clock to 11 o'clock a very long stretch, lots of people," said Keith Esbin of Claw Daddy's, which decided to join the action this year after seeing vendors rake it in last year.

"A food truck like this could potentially raise $5- to $7,000 in a single evening," Esbin said.

Fireworks at the Fountain will take place Thursday from Orlando's Lake Eola Park.

Log on to icflorida.com to find a 4th of July event nearby.

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