OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Liberty Lives Here, Marion County’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, takes advantage of the unique opportunity to mark this unprecedented milestone.
There are a series of proposed events including civic education programs; freedom-focused celebrations; workshops and school visits; Independence Day, Bill of Rights Day, veterans and first responders recognition ceremonies; local groups sharing history through storytelling; youth contests and engagement on social media; voter registration drives; and an America 250 Ball, Patriot Parade and 4 for the Fourth. The Finale Event is the week of July 4, 2026, featuring the Patriot Parade leading up to fireworks shows in multiple locations around the region.
“We looked at something that would identify us as who we are as a people in Marion County, and our team was like, Liberty Lives Here. It just kind of rings true to us,” said Marion County Commission Chair Carl Zalak, III, who also serves as the chairman of America 250 Marion County, FL. “We have America 250 Marion County, carrying that legacy of liberty forward. What does that look like? How does that work? We’re excited about all of the different pieces that are lining up, everything between the schools, what we’re doing for Marion County Day, and of course the Celebration for the Fourth of July, not only just having the Fourth of July celebration but also having the kids involved while they’re in school. They’re doing those Wednesday Moments for the Constitution. There are some art contests. We gave a little sneak peak of the drumline [at the Ocala Metro CEP ExCEPtional Breakfast last month]. They’ll be doing some competitions during Marion County Day too.”
America 250 Marion County, FL is a celebration of the area’s identity, faith, freedom and community, said Zalak. America 250 Marion County, FL’s impact will be far reaching and is more than a celebration. It’s actually our commitment to the next 250 years, said Zalak.
“What does that look like, what kind of legacy are we leaving? It makes you reflect on those moments, and say, ‘what are we handing to the generations in front of us,'” said Zalak. “What is that foundation built on. What does Liberty look like in our heart? If liberty lives in our community and liberty lives in our neighborhoods, and liberty lives in these places, America will be just fine.”
Collaboration for the celebration
It’s a coordinated effort with the Marion County School Board, the school district, the municipalities of Ocala, Belleview and Dunnellon and the county’s law enforcement agencies who are all part of the team and working together to help create this lasting legacy, said Zalak.
“This isn’t just some celebration, this is a once in a lifetime moment for Marion County to celebrate freedom and liberty,” said Zalak.
The planning for America 250 Marion County, FL, began in October of 2025, however, the discussion emerged in earnest last summer. The estimated budget and cost for educational materials, event expenses, historical speakers/guides, recognition programs and the fireworks show on the Fourth of July, is $300,000. There will be opportunities for sponsorships giving the community a chance to take part, with the sponsorships offsetting the costs of the celebration.
“We started putting things together last October, where we met with each individual entity first, asking them if they wanted to be involved in America 250,” said Zalak. “Here’s our vision. We met with the school board, they were like, ‘man, we’re in 100 percent.’ The City of Ocala, the chamber’s been fantastic, being our eyes and ears for the business community. We need everybody. You can’t pull off a community event, not of this scale, four different locations, simultaneous fireworks, everybody’s got to run their part and do their part, in order for us to pull off something truly spectacular.” Sue Mosley and her team, William Taylor and those guys do the parade at Christmas. I went to them, and they were like, we’re in, let’s do a patriotic parade.”
One of the municipalities was more than willing to participate, as it will be a watershed moment for the city, experiencing something that they’ve always wanted to do, but weren’t able to because of financial constraints.
“When we asked the City of Belleview, will you come on board, they were like, ‘we’ve never been able to afford fireworks before. We’ve never been able to put this plan together.’ They were so excited, this is the first time Belleview’s ever had fireworks,” said Zalak.
It’s an opportunity for the nation to reaffirm its commitment to liberty, freedom and justice, demonstrating its faith and the foundation that has been laid for the future, one that’s filled with hope despite our differences, said Zalak. America 250 Marion County, FL is an opportunity to celebrate the virtues that unite us.
“Not only are we doing something really cool, but we’re leveraging the community and the strength of our community to put this event on,” said Zalak. “I hope when people look back at this, they’ll say that we’re continuing to lay that foundation for the next 250 years, that we’re remembering what America is about because when America comes together, there is no more powerful nation, there is no more powerful spirit. The American dream only lives here. That’s how powerful opportunity is in this country that doesn’t exist anywhere else. Sometimes we just need to reflect on that and remember that.”
Community spirit
No matter what difficulty we’ve had in our history, Marion County and our country, have always pulled through, said Zalak. The nation has always found a way to win. The semiquincentennial serves as a milestone marker since the nation’s signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The series of celebrations and observances will pay tribute to the United States as an independent republic.
“Not only are we going to get a chance to honor our veterans, for securing our freedom, that has cost some of them everything, many of them mental stability or physical ailments,” said Zalak. “Every generation has a responsibility to pass on freedom and liberty. We take it for granted because it’s just available to us in extraordinary excess. Those sacrifices continue to live on in our foundation.”
Ways to give back
America 250 Marion County, FL has opportunities for people to get involved, said Zalak. Those include the 4 for the Fourth where people can volunteer four hours, to give back to this country and this community in an expression of gratitude. It serves as a reminder of the great place we get to call home, he said. Businesses and individuals can become sponsors. The National Society of the Daughters’ of the American Revolution Ocala chapter received a $15,000 grant for a proposed creation of a Sir Francis Marion plaque to be placed at the Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park near the DAR Freedom Tree.
There will also be an on-demand article shop, with merchandise featuring the America 250 Marion County, FL. There’s also the possibility of an America 250 Marion County, FL Ball. said Zalak. However, funds will be needed to be raised for that to become a reality.
“I want our business community, not only to participate, but to take this once in a generation opportunity to say that we want to put our name and our money, and our time behind this community,” said Zalak. “When somebody in a generation from now says where were you at, we’re part of what made that happen. I want businesses to be able to say that and put their name behind it.”
The public impact is expected to reach more than 500,000 residents, more than 40,000 students and patrons, have a tremendous economic impact on local businesses, and strengthen civic pride, said Zalak.
“When this is all done. When July 4th is over, I hope people will say we didn’t just celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we strengthened its foundation,” said Zalak. “If we can say that, right when it’s done. People were encouraged; people were united. When you get off the highway in Marion County every single business, every single house is flying the American flag. Think about what that picture will do. Just think about it, we’re going to line the streets. But will the businesses and homes line their community. It will be America’s hometown because we really are. Liberty does live here.”
The event will have a web page, marioncelebrates250.org, and will have a social media presence on facebook.com/MarionCountyFlorida and Instagram.