Heritage Village’s All-American 50 at 250 Bash! will spotlight Florida history and American identity with the unveiling of Kirk Ke Wang’s art installation, The Citrus Wizard: Lue Gim Gong, on July 11 at 11:30 a.m. The work honors Lue Gim Gong, the Chinese-American horticulturist celebrated for helping save Florida’s citrus industry and earning the nickname “The Citrus Wizard.”
The unveiling is part of a larger daylong celebration at Heritage Village in Largo, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and marks the first of several Creative Pinellas projects supported through America250 funding. In recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary, Creative Pinellas selected Wang and five other Pinellas County artists to create new works that reflect on the history, present, and future of America.
The event will also feature cultural performances by Rebecca John and Riona John, along with Baozheng Li and Zhaorui Sun, adding music and movement to the public art debut. Wang’s installation joins a broader summer and fall lineup of America250-funded programs, including exhibitions, concerts, and upcoming film projects. Together, these initiatives aim to blend local heritage, immigrant stories, and artistic expression in a community celebration of the region’s past and its evolving cultural landscape.