OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The City of Ocala, in partnership with Ocala Main Street, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, and the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau, will host Patriotic Skies at Tuscawilla Park (800 NE Sanchez Ave.) on Friday, July 4, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Free to the public, this year’s celebration will bring together community partners to offer a festive and family-friendly evening in honor of Independence Day. The City of Ocala will host an evening of live entertainment, family activities, and food, while Ocala Main Street will present a full-scale fireworks display to conclude the night. Set against the scenic backdrop of Tuscawilla Park, the event promises a memorable way to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Live performances for the evening will feature musical acts Bryce Mauldin, Emma Forgette, and DJ Karim Martin. The All-American Kid’s Zone will include free activities such as bounce houses, a rock wall, a mechanical alligator, and a mechanical surfboard. Face painting will be available for a small fee.

From 6 to 9 p.m., guests can also enjoy food trucks, photo opportunities, and more. The fireworks display, presented by Ocala Main Street, will being at approximately 9:30 p.m.

To support event access, free shuttle service will be available from 5 to 11 p.m. from the following locations:

  • Marion Technical Institute (1614 SE Fort King St.)
    • Shuttle drops off at the Recreation and Parks Administration building (828 NE Eighth Ave.)
    • Runs approximately every 30 minutes (ADA accessible)
  • E.D. Croskey Recreation Center (1510 NW Fourth St.)
    • Shuttle drops off at Ocala Skate Park (517 NE Ninth St.)
    • Runs approximately every 20 minutes (ADA accessible)
  • Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Ave.)
    • Shuttle drops off at the intersection of NE Sanchez Ave. and NE Fourth St.
    • Runs approximately every 15 minutes
  • Marion County Parking Facility (346 NW Second St.)
    • Shuttle drops off at the intersection of NE Sanchez Ave. and NE Fourth St.
    • Runs approximately every 15 minutes

Additional ADA parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Reilly Arts Center (500 NE Ninth St.).

Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets, as seating will not be provided. Tents, alcohol, and personal drones are not permitted at this event.

For more information, contact the City of Ocala’s Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517 or visit www.ocalafl.gov/julyfourth. 

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