An estimated more than three thousand Palm Beach and Broward residents lined the streets on the 4th of July chanting and trying to get the attention of the government.
In less than six months, the growth of the tea party movement has exploded.
The video that started it all is a February news clip in which CNBC's Financial Reporter Rick Santelli ranted about the government's bailouts and what he called excessive spending.
"We are going to have a tea party in Chicago," Santelli said.
Whether he was serious about the tea party or not, Santelli's remarks resonated with thousands of conservative Americans.
The video generated more than a million hits on YouTube spearheadeding the modern tea party movement.
"We are passionate and our mission is simple," South Florida Tea Party Founder Everett Wilkinson said. "It's about fiscal responsibility."
Wilkinson, a former marine, is spent the 4th of July organzing both Broward County and Palm Beach County tea parties.
"The movement here has grown from three hundred people to about four thousand people in a few months," he said.
The holiday's events are the third in a series of rallies meant to shake up the administration. The last rally was held April 15th, tax day.
"We want people to know about the bailouts and how they are helping the banks but not the American people," Wilkinson said.
Although the weather was scorching, thousands of people lined the streets waving flags and holding creative signs to get drivers' attention.
"That's how we want to raise our kids," said father Paul Flowers who brought his wife the three school aged daughters to the rally. "We want to let them know to stand up for what they believe in."
"It's been cool here," said Flowers' 14-year-old daughter, Peyton. "All the support and people who actually believe the same way I do."
People at the rally were young and old; both Democrat and Republican.
"This is the time to stop government from dividing us up and defeating us," said Lieutenant Colonel Allen West who is running for the District 22 Congressional seat in 2010. "An event like this crosses party lines because we are all Americans first."
For Wilkinson, the result of his hard work is overwhelming.
"I have three volunteers just from West Palm Beach answering e-mails and calls all week long," Wilkinson said. "People want to know more about us and how they can get involved."
He says it's paying off.
"The Cap and Trade Tax recently passed, we got 30 Democrats to vote against it," he said. "That's proof our voices are being heard."
