The city of Ocala will host its second annual Patriotic Skies Fourth of July celebration this Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with several activities and free shuttles scheduled throughout the course of the event.
Patriotic Skies will return to Ocala’s Tuscawilla Park (800 Sanchez Avenue) on Friday, July 4. The event will feature games and activities that are family-friendly, as well as local food trucks and live entertainment. The event will culminate with a fireworks show.
A presentation of the colors and National Anthem will kick off the show at 6 p.m. Emma Forgette, an Ocala-area country artist who released her debut album last year, will open the main stage with a performance from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. The event will be headlined by Bryce Mauldin, another country artists who is originally from Webster in Sumter County. Mauldin will perform on the main stage from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
The fireworks show is scheduled to take place at 9:30 p.m.
Food trucks scheduled to attend the event include Brick & Ember Pizza, Junkie Fries, Kona Ice, Puertorican Cravings, Royal hibachi, and Urban Dawgs, among others.
The city will operate shuttles from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at several different pickup and drop-off locations. Pickup locations include the Marion County Courthouse Garage (346 NW 2nd Street), Ocala City Hall parking lot (110 SE Watula Avenue), E.D. Croskey Recreation Center (1510 NW 4th Street), and Marion Technical Institute (1614 SE Fort King Street).
The drop-off zones will be Sanchez Avenue & NE Fourth Street and the Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration Building at 828 NE 8th Avenue.
In addition to the satellite parking lots, there will also be limited parking available at the Ocala Skate Park.
Two main roadways will be closed for the event: Sanchez Avenue from NE 4th Street to NE 9th Street, and Watula Avemnue between NE 5th Street and NE 9th Street.
The city says coolers are allowed and that soft drinks will be available for purchase in addition to the food trucks. Chairs will not be provided, so guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Dogs are allowed at the event, but they must be leashed and picked up after, according to the city.
Are you planning to attend this year’s Patriotic Skies celebration in Ocala? Share your comments with us.