First up: on Wednesday, July 8 at 6 p.m., head to Centennial Park for a group reading of the Declaration of Independence. City staff will be there, and anyone can join in as part of a nationwide reading. Imagine people all across the country, from the U.S. Virgin Islands to Guam, reading together at the same moment. They’ll provide copies of the Declaration, so nobody’s left out. After the reading, people can stick around to talk about what the Declaration means for us today. The event happens at the Bob and Sue Vedder Gazebo, and everyone’s encouraged to bring a chair.

Then, on Thursday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Venice History Museum will host Florida’s Freedom Tour right outside the museum. Here’s what sets it apart: it’s basically a rolling museum, a pair of 18-wheelers packed with exhibits and artifacts from the Museum of Florida History, making stops across the state as part of the America250 celebration. It’s all about bringing Florida’s story to as many people as possible. The Venice History Museum itself (351 Nassau St. S.) will stay open during those same hours, giving everyone a chance to catch Venice Turns 100! centennial exhibit, which is sticking around for another year.

If you need more information, reach out to Harry Klinkhamer, City Historical Resources Manager, at hklinkhamer@venicefl.gov or call 941-486-2490.

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Down in southwest Florida, big names like Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Park are waiving entrance fees, shining a spotlight on the area’s incredible mix of stories and scenery.

This whole celebration is massive. As the country hits 250 years, the National Park Service wants people to walk the actual ground where history happened, think Revolutionary War battlefields, monuments, and so many other places you’ve only read about. It’s about bringing Americans closer to the past in a way that sticks.

In Southwest Florida, you’ve got some real gems:

Everglades National Park isn’t just a sea of grass. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with rare wildlife and those unforgettable wetlands.

Dry Tortugas National Park sits out in the Gulf, only reachable by boat or seaplane. You’ll find Fort Jefferson here, and some of the clearest water and coral reefs around.

Collier-Seminole State Park, just outside Naples, gives you a taste of Florida’s native landscape—mangroves, wildlife, and a slower pace.

Or drive just over two hours north and experience Weeki Wachee State Park, an historic Florida destination located in Spring Hill, best known for its world-famous underwater mermaid shows and the deepest freshwater cave system in the United States. The park features crystal-clear 74-degree spring water and is home to the Buccaneer Bay waterpark.

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is wild, unpredictable, and often called the “Amazon of the Everglades.” It’s the kind of place adventurers daydream about.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is joining the party too, offering free entry to dozens of state parks, especially around big holiday weekends like Presidents’ Day. Usually, these free days cover standard admission, but not camping or guided tours. If you’re heading to a popular spot, plan ahead; parks fill up fast on these dates.

If you missed out on the free President’s Day offering, no worries. The NPS offers free access for several holidays throughout 2026 to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. Check it out at nps.gov.

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