OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Patriotic Day celebrations are taking over the City of Ocala on the Fourth of July for free community gatherings. These celebrations are bringing the city together for the 250th Anniversary of the United States as a part of the Marion Celebrates America 250 line-up of patriotic fun. These events will take place just before the Marion County Independence Day Fireworks Celebration from 5-10 p.m. and Patriotic Parade from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Experience a family-friendly line-up of interactive entertainment with Fourth in the Park at Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala. Activities will include live music, games and a kid’s zone for everyone to engage in the festivities. Country singer-songwriter from New Jersey, Emma Forgette, will be performing from 10-11:30 a.m. while Nashville-based country artist, Cliff Dorsey, performs from 12-2 p.m. Food trucks will include The Krafty Kettle, The Best Brazilian Barbeskew, Sol Cup, Chick-Fil-A from Paddock Mall and Country Boyz BBQ. Activities in the kid’s zone will include bounce houses and a photo booth with games and facepainting for additional costs.
For those who need a break from the sun during Fourth in the Park, guests can walk over to the Discovery Center for July Fourth Fun at the Discovery Center. This will include more family-friendly fun with patriotic crafts and giveaways from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 701 Sanchez Ave, Ocala. Guests will also have the chance explore the center to experience their latest exhibit, “Treehouses: Look Who’s Living in the Trees.”
For water-based fun, enjoy a full day of swimming, live DJ’s, games, themed activities and giveaways during Patriotic Day at the Aquatic Centers. This will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. at Jervey Gantt Aquatic Center, 2390 SE 36 Ave. and Hampton Aquatic Center, 255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Outdoor splashpads will offer music, games and popsicles to beat the heat while splashing around during the Fourth of July Splash Party. These will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Lily’s Splash Pad, 2200 NW 17 Pl and Citizen’s Circle Splash Pad 151 Osceola Ave.
Enjoy this weekend of patriotic and family-friendly activities and celebrations to commemorate 250 years of America. To learn more about these patriotic gatherings and events, visit the City of Ocala’s line-up of events here.