- December 6, 2024
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On May 13, 2025, the city of Ocoee will turn 100 years old, and preparations for the centennial celebrations have begun to ensure the anniversary is a big, yearlong event befitting of the milestone.
“(This) centennial celebration is a rare opportunity to reflect on the city’s past, celebrate our present and prepare for an exciting and successful future,” Activity Support Services Director Doug Gaines said. “In October 2023, the city marked the town of Ocoee’s 100-year anniversary during the grand opening event for Unity Park. Shortly after, the City Commission directed staff to begin planning the city centennial celebration. You asked us to make these celebratory events a huge big deal.”
At the direction of the commission, Gaines and city staff went to work, and at the Tuesday, July 16, Ocoee City Commission meeting he gave a presentation detailing the overview of what the city’s staff has in store to celebrate the anniversary.
“Based on … your call to action, a dedicated planning committee has been brainstorming ways to make our centennial celebration something we can all be proud of,” Gaines said. “The committee involved the mayor, the city manager’s office and almost every single (city) department. … We’ve come up with a long list of opportunities to showcase and celebrate the city’s 100th birthday. … First, let’s start with the new proposed events. Our plan is to kick off the centennial celebration in January with a social media campaign to get everyone excited and generate media coverage and publicity. … Another new event will be the Valentine’s Day block party event. We’re planning on hosting a golf tournament Feb. 21. The big community celebration will be Friday, May 9, here at Bill Breeze Park. … The actual happy birthday event and time capsule ceremony will be May 13. We’re also planning on having a movie night and block party Nov. 14.”
Along with those new events, the city plans to add centennial-themed celebrations to the plethora of its existing community events, such as the Ocoee Music Festival, the monthly Ocoee Community Market and the Easter Eggstravaganza.
“Our plan is to incorporate the 100-year anniversary theme into all of the city’s existing events,” Gaines said. “We have more than 20 city events throughout the year, and this gives us multiple opportunities to incorporate the centennial theme. … Our new monthly community market can be a great marketing tool for the centennial. Our ideas include having a 100-year anniversary tent set up at the markets with giveaways and activities.”