OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Marion County is inviting residents and visitors to celebrate its 181st anniversary with a community festival on March 29, 2025. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McPherson Governmental Campus, 601 SE 25th Ave.
The festival will highlight Marion County’s rich history, from its founding in 1844 to its evolution into a thriving community known as the Horse Capital of the World®. Local organizations will present exhibits and interactive displays showcasing the county’s past, natural beauty, and economic growth.
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Marion County’s history dates back to Florida’s territorial days. After the U.S. acquired Florida in 1821, government scouts surveyed the peninsula. By 1825, an agency was established to oversee the Seminole population in what would become Marion County. A military outpost was later built to protect settlers, and pioneers arrived under the Armed Occupation Act of the 1840s.
Between 1842 and 1844, the region was part of Alachua, Mosquito (now Orange), and Hillsborough counties, making government access difficult for settlers. Gabriel Priest, a state senator representing Alachua County, introduced legislation to form a new county. Territorial Governor Richard Keith Call signed the bill into law on March 25, 1844.
The festival will feature food, games, and entertainment. Vendors, entertainers, and community partners are encouraged to participate, with applications now being accepted.