OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Umbrellas up, spirits high! The Fourth of July celebration at Tuscawilla Park didn’t miss a beat Friday as hundreds of Ocala families braved the drizzle for a full day of red, white, and woo-hoo! at Patriotic Skies, the city’s signature Independence Day event.

Hosted by the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks and Ocala Main Street, Patriotic Skies proved once again that you can’t rain on this city’s parade or its fireworks.

Man and woman share funnel cake at Fourth of July celebration in Ocala.
People walk under umbrellas during rain at Ocala's Fourth of July event.
People with umbrellas and folding chairs gather at Tuscawilla Park in Ocala, Florida, during rainy Fourth of July festivities.
Three women in American flag-themed clothing stand with a stroller and child during a park celebration.
People sit and eat under a park pavilion during a rainy Fourth of July event in Ocala.
Man raises arms as young children wearing patriotic necklaces play near colorful cones on the grass during a public event.
Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

Sure, the weather leaned more wet than wild, but kids still raced through the bounce house, spun on the merry-go-round, and zipped around the Kid Zone with patriotic beads and sticky snow cones in hand. Two-year-old Noah Linaves was spotted happily zigzagging between colorful cones despite the rain.

Kids smiling and jumping inside a colorful bounce house during a holiday event.
Kids in motion blur as they spin on a merry-go-round at night during a crowded Fourth of July event in the park.
Kids in motion spin on a blue merry-go-round at a park during a Fourth of July celebration.
Toddler in camouflage shirt watches a yellow ball fall into a net during an outdoor game on grass.
Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

The event kicked off with a salute from the Ocala Police Department Honor Guard, followed by a full slate of live music, including a standout performance from local artist Emma Forgette, who warmed up the crowd and the stage with an electric set, rain streaks and all.

Close-up of a young woman singing into a microphone while playing guitar on stage.
Two uniformed officers in dress blues carry flags past a stage during a Fourth of July event.
Female vocalist in red boots stands onstage with microphone as band members play guitar and bass under colorful stage lights.
Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

Face painter Tonya DeRose kept her brush busy decorating smiling faces like 12-year-old Isabella Bailey’s, while families lined up at the Kona Ice truck, soaking up the cool flavors and retro vibes. Nearby, parents snapped photos at the patriotic photo booth, where kids rocked star-spangled hats and glasses big enough to make Uncle Sam jealous.

Smiling children and adult wear red, white, and blue sunglasses and hats in front of a sparkly blue backdrop.
People gather around a colorful Kona Ice truck, ordering shaved ice during a community celebration.
Smiling family of five dressed in red, white, and blue outfits pose in front of a blue sequin backdrop with festive accessories.
Kids and families wait in line for a patriotic photo booth with a blue backdrop at a Fourth of July event.
A vendor airbrushes a patriotic design on a young attendee during Ocala’s Fourth of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2025.
People stand in front of a lemonade and kettle corn food truck during a nighttime Fourth of July event in Ocala.
Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

Even as the skies opened up, crowds simply popped open their umbrellas, kicked back in folding chairs, and waited for the grand finale. And when the fireworks finally lit up the night, cheers echoed through the soggy grass like it was the sunniest evening of the year.

Large multicolored fireworks explode in the night sky above trees and umbrellas during a holiday celebration.
Umbrellas and raindrops fill the frame as a bright blue firework lights up the rainy night sky at a park celebration.
People holding umbrellas watch fireworks explode in a cloudy sky during a Fourth of July celebration at a park.
People with umbrellas watch golden fireworks light up the rainy night sky at a park celebration.
Wet woman holding phone smiles while watching fireworks during a rainy Fourth of July celebration.
Crowd watches red fireworks burst in the rainy night sky with umbrellas open at a park celebration.
Silhouetted family and crowd watch fireworks explode in the sky on a rainy night in Ocala during a Fourth of July event.
People with umbrellas watch green fireworks in the sky over a wet park during a nighttime Fourth of July celebration.
Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

Stars, stripes, snacks, and showers – Ocala’s Patriotic Skies celebration delivered all the holiday hits.

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