Members of Villagers4Democracy braved the heat to stage a patriotic rally on Saturday in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.

The rally coincided with the July 4 celebration and our nation’s 250th anniversary.

Those holding signs along Morse Boulevard were sporting big smiles
Those holding signs along Morse Boulevard were sporting big smiles

“True to the event’s mission, it was non-partisan in nature and a celebration of the genius of the American experiment that began in 1776 and is still enduring 250 years later,” said Villager Casey Marr, one of the event’s organizers. “It was also a celebration of this nation‘s great accomplishments since then, including the abolishment of slavery, women’s suffrage, defeating fascism in World War II, creating Social Security and Medicare, all the great scientific and technological discoveries, and so much more.”

Villagers  for Democracy leaders Casey Marr, Rochelle Larson and Paula Orlando, from left.
Villagers  for Democracy leaders Casey Marr, Rochelle Larson and Paula Orlando, from left.

The staging area for the rally was along Morse Boulevard near the entrance to Lake Sumter Landing.

The signs at the July 4 event had a patriotic theme
The signs at the July 4 event had a patriotic theme.
Jim Buettner of the Village of Osceola Hills at Soaring Eagle, left, along with Bob and Sheri Duval of the Village of Gilchrist
Jim Buettner of the Village of Osceola Hills at Soaring Eagle, left, along with Bob and Sheri Duvall of the Village of Gilchrist.

“Despite the current contentious environment here, we are all proud to be Americans,” Marr said. “Despite today’s high temperatures and humidity, a large and enthusiastic crowd attended.”