Record Attendance at 2026 Eustis Hometown Celebration

Published on August 27, 2026

The numbers are in, and the City of Eustis’ 2026 Hometown Celebration drew record attendance, with nearly 18,000 people gathering in Ferran Park on July 3 for the City’s annual Independence Day celebration commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.

The event, held from 4 – 10 p.m. in Ferran Park, offered a packed schedule, including performances by Orlando Weekly’s 2026 Best Cover Band, The 789’s, and the nationally recognized Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team. The evening also featured a headlining performance by country music star and Eustis native Michael Ray and concluded with a stunning fireworks display over Lake Eustis. 

This year, the free event drew visitors from across the state. A comparison of post-event data from the 2025 and 2026 Hometown Celebrations showed significant growth, including:

• Estimated visits increased from approximately 6,500 to 17,200
• Average dwell time increased from 94 to 115 minutes
• Median dwell time increased from 48 to 87 minutes
• Share of visitors going directly home declined from 43% to 35%
• Many vendors reported increased sales compared to the previous year, with some reporting that it was their most successful Eustis event to date.

These metrics indicated that attendees spent more time at the event and in the surrounding area before heading home.

The Hometown Celebration will return next year on Friday, July 2, 2027.

For more information on upcoming events, please visit www.eustis.org or follow City of Eustis and City of Eustis Events & Tourism on Facebook and Instagram.

###

About the City of Eustis

The City of Eustis is a vibrant lakefront community in Central Florida known for its historic downtown, waterfront parks, signature festivals and commitment to preserving its small-town charm while embracing future growth.