The City of Ocoee is celebrating 100 years of history and advancement with exciting centennial events throughout the year.

In the spring of 1925, The City of Ocoee was a small, agricultural township of 820 settlers; now, 100 years later, it is a vibrant community of 51,186 residents. To commemorate the transition from Ocoee’s origins in citrus cultivation to an urbanized downtown, city officials have organized a line-up of events, signifying Ocoee’s continued innovation.

On Valentine’s Day, the City of Ocoee Parks and Leisure Services hosted a centennial event with live music, games, a s’mores pit, carnival rides, craft stations, a plush bear station and more, which indicated the engaging, varied and family-friendly quality of events yet to come. Some upcoming themed events include Easter Eggstravaganza on April 19, a Fourth of July Celebration, and Ocoee Community Markets with vendors and live music throughout the month. A full event calendar can be found at the city’s new centennial website, 100YearsOcoee.com. Two events, however, take the spotlight.

The Centennial Celebration will commence at Bill Breeze Park on May 9, with a 100-year celebration packed with activities, live entertainment, food and vendors. This once-in-a-century event will showcase signature Ocoee talent, flavors and small businesses. The second event takes place on the 100-year anniversary of Ocoee’s official incorporation as a city on May 13. Collected mementos from both the city and its community members will fill a time capsule in a ceremony located at the historic Withers-Maguire House, honoring the city’s memories and culture.

As an additional tribute to Ocoee’s past and ever-evolving present, the city is in the midst of new additions, partnerships and opportunities. The 1,200-square-foot McKey Street Centennial Mural by local artist Christian Stanley was unveiled on Feb. 4, and exemplifies Ocoee’s beautiful tropical atmosphere with its historic landmarks. A second centennial mural located between McKey Street and Bluford Ave. is also in the works.

Unity Park, which was added in 2023, provides the ideal scenery for which Ocoee is known and contains a natural stormwater runoff treatment area. The park is undergoing recognition of its history with the recent installation of a memorial wall to reflect upon the 1920 Election Day Massacre and to honor the 263 Black residents who were victimized. This is in addition to an existing monument—depicted in Stanley’s mural—serving as a reminder that such a monumental, centennial milestone inevitably contains adversity and that Ocoee residents and leaders must learn from it in order to progress and to heal as a community.

“As we celebrate Ocoee’s Centennial Year, we reflect on our rich history and the incredible progress our community has made. This milestone is a testament to the resilience, pride and spirit of our residents. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue building a bright future together while honoring the traditions that make Ocoee such a special place to live, work and thrive,” agree City Manager Craig Shadrix and Mayor Rusty Johnson.

Mayor Johnson has lived in Ocoee for nearly 70 years, and has witnessed the immersion of arts, culture and technology within the city’s rapid developments. Streamlined transportation and heightened connectivity, which was originally initiated in 1959 by the construction of State Road 50, continues to result in an annually increasing population. Whether residing in, visiting or working in Ocoee, it is a central location to other Central Florida hotspots.

However, it is an all-inclusive experience within the city alone, with exclusive experiences like the annual Ocoee Music Festival; water activities and sightseeing at Starke Lake; and the recently opened, 20,000-square-foot Action Sports Park designed for skateboarders of all ages and skill levels. A testament to the city’s commitment to innovation, an additional 5,000 square feet are reserved for the Action Sports Park’s future expansion.

Events and resources coordinated by the City of Ocoee Parks and Leisure Services allow a simplified way to learn about and to become immersed in both historical commemoration and festivity-packed celebration. There are also ongoing opportunities for Ocoee residents and businesses to get involved, and to become a part of modern history.

The City of Ocoee
Ocoee
(407) 905-3100
Ocoee.org