After canceling plans for a scheduled drone show due to safety concerns, the city of Ocala will bring fireworks back to downtown to celebrate Independence Day later this year.
Patriotic Skies will return to Tuscawilla Park (800 NE Sanchez Avenue) on Friday, July 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public and will feature live music, food vendors, a kid’s zone, among other activities.
This year’s Patriotic Skies will culminate with a fireworks display being presented by Ocala Main Street, an organization that promotes downtown Ocala and its businesses.
Ocala Main Street will use the opportunity to celebrate the grand opening of its new Heart of the Park project at the former American Legion building at the park. The new site will host a VIP experience during Patriotic Skies, according to Ocala Main Street.
The announcement that the event will feature fireworks comes less than three months after city officials canceled a $300,000 contract with Sky Elements, LLC, who was previously acquired to perform drone shows at the next two Fourth of July celebrations.
The vote to cancel the contract with Sky Elements occurred exactly one month after a drone fell from the sky during one of the company’s shows in Orlando and critically injured a child.
In January, city officials also discussed the viability of fireworks at Tuscawilla Park, with a local business owner sharing several pertinent details in support of the move.