Friday, July 4, 2025 | 6 -10 p.m. | Free to attend
Tuscawilla Park | 800 NE Sanchez Ave.
Celebrate Independence Day with an unforgettable evening at Patriotic Skies! Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the night sky, live music to keep you dancing, and a fun-filled Kids Zone featuring games and activities for the whole family. Satisfy your cravings with a variety of delicious food from local food trucks, offering everything from savory snacks to sweet treats. Whether you’re relaxing with loved ones or enjoying the entertainment, this free event is the perfect way to celebrate America’s birthday in style. Don’t miss out – bring your chairs, blankets, and your patriotic spirit!
Entertainers
Bryce Mauldin, originally from Webster, FL, is bringing serious Florida fire to the Nashville country scene. As a fully independent artist, he’s racked up over 20 million streams on his original music and built a massive following across social media with a sound that appeals to fans of both classic and modern country.
From high-energy hits like “City Limits”—channeling the rock-influenced edge of Jason Aldean—to the heartfelt, steel-guitar-driven “Seeing Somebody Else,” Bryce’s music spans generations and styles while staying true to his roots. His songwriting is personal yet universally relatable, giving a voice to fans through real-life storytelling.
With his distinctive style and growing momentum, Bryce Mauldin is quickly carving out his place as one of country music’s rising stars.
Emma Forgette
In the world of country music, few voices shine as brightly and authentically as Emma Forgette’s. Born in New Jersey but rooted in Ocala, Florida, Emma is quickly making her mark on the contemporary country scene.
She began her musical journey just three years ago at age 17, exploring opera, rock, pop, and theater, but always returning to her first love—country music. Her powerful voice and wide range draw comparisons to some of the genre’s greatest female artists, and her dream of performing at the Grand Ole Opry feels well within reach.
Emma’s musical foundation runs deep. She played first-chair flute through school and is now learning guitar, adding to her already impressive artistry. Offstage, she’s a true country girl—living on a family farm, collecting cowboy boots, and embracing the simple joys of rural life. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—Americans are living nearly a decade longer than they were in the 1970s. That’s great news—but staying healthy into your 80s and beyond requires extra care and an eye towards prevention. The protection provided by vaccines plays a key role in helping keep you healthy and preventing severe illness and potential long-term complications, especially for older adults and individuals with immunocompromised conditions.
As people age, their immune system naturally weakens—it becomes slower at recognizing and fighting off viruses. At the same time, lungs become more vulnerable, and chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes can make it harder to recover from illnesses such as COVID-19. Similarly, people of all ages with weakened immune systems—whether from certain health conditions or medications—face a higher risk of severe illness because their bodies also struggle to mount a strong defense. In both cases, a reduced ability to fight infectious respiratory disease increases the risk of serious complications and hospitalization. Continue reading
Ocala, FL — The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership has been named a finalist for the 2025 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). ACCE is an association based in Alexandria, Va., with over 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.
The award, sponsored by GrowthZone, is the most prestigious and competitive award in the chamber industry, recognizing excellence in operations, member service and community leadership. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and impacted key community priorities, such as education, transportation, economic prosperity and quality of life.
“This year’s finalists represent excellence in the chamber industry,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Each has shown how chambers can lead as community partners, forward-thinking leaders and problem solvers to drive growth and make a lasting impact on regional prosperity. We congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.” Continue reading
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