Three Ocala men are atop the list of nominees for “Hometown Hero” at next year’s Rock The Country music festival in Ocala, which will be headlined by Kid Rock and Nickelback.
Despite Ben Fritz, Brent Murray, and Noah Hunton having earned the first, second, and fourth most votes, respectively, in the entire competition, only one of the Ocala residents will be named the “Hometown Hero” for Rock The Country when it returns to Marion County next Spring.
Voting is open for Rock The Country’s Hometown Hero prize through Monday, December 2. The organization says that it will announce the winners for each of the ten cities on Tuesday, December 3.
According to event organizers, the “Hometown Hero” sweepstakes will recognize one local resident in each of the ten cities where Rock The Country takes place next year. The winner in each city will be awarded the following:
- Rock the Country merchandise
- 2 VIP Tickets
- Backstage Tour
- Leading the Pledge of Allegiance on Stage
As of Friday morning, Fritz (24%), Murray (16%), and Hunton (13%) are listed among the top five vote-getters among the 40 nominees in all 10 cities. The other two nominees in the top five are from Bluff, Missouri, and Anderson, South Carolina.
Earlier this month, Rock The Country organizers announced the finalists in Ocala who are vying for the prize:
- Ben Fritz – Fritz has “educated, inspired, and saved countless lives” through his public battle with colon cancer in Marion County. “His raw honesty and dedication to early detection awareness have made him a beloved hero in his community,” reads the organization’s statement.
- Brent Murray – Murray is a fire chief and mentor to aspiring firefighters. “His leadership, active church involvement, and unwavering support for his community make him a true hometown hero,” according to the organization.
- Noah Hunton – Hunton is a local singer and dedicated volunteer who uses his music “to inspire and connect with his community, especially children. His passion and commitment to giving back make him a shining light in Ocala,” reads the organization’s statement.
Rock The Country will return to Ocala on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, 2025. Next year’s event will take place at the Florida Horse Park.
Over 30,000 fans attended the first Rock The Country in Reddick earlier this year. That inaugural two-day festival was headlined by Kid Rock and Jason Aldean.
To cast your vote for one of the Ocala men nominated, visit Rock The Country’s Hometown Hero webpage.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Ocala-News.com has no affiliation with Rock The Country or its associates. A fourth resident who was nominated for this award was not included in this story because the nominee informed Ocala-News.com that he/she never agreed to participate.
