Alachua County residents, county officials and organizations bundled up and braved the cold weather on Saturday to attend “Discover 200: A Bicentennial Celebration” at Depot Park and Heartwood Soundstage.  

The free event kicked off 2025’s year-long journey of recognizing Alachua County’s 200^th anniversary which started on Dec. 29, 1824, by honoring its past, celebrating the present and looking forward to the future. 

“All year long we’re going to be giving historical events,” said Mark Sexton, Alachua County’s communications director. “But today is more of a birthday party. We’re not lecturing, we’re just celebrating today.” 

Starting at 1 p.m., a main stage in front of the Cade Museum at Depot Park and another at the Heartwood Soundstage rotated a setlist of local and national bands varying from rap and country to ska and rock for attendees to roam between.  

Food trucks and vendors from local organizations and county departments such as the Alachua County Animal Resources, Visit Gainesville and Alachua County Human Resources battled the wind to keep their tents on the ground while sharing information about available services. 

UF mascots Albert and Alberta Gator gave photo opportunities while kids got their faces painted and a magician entertained people. With crowds expected in the thousands, one table started the event with 1,000 bicentennial-themed T-shirts to give away. Only a few remained halfway through the event. 

Gainesville native and Air Force veteran Robert Mounts tabled with the Matheson History Museum, where he’s finishing out his last two weeks as president. He said that considering how Alachua County’s past is scarred with racial wrongdoings, recent signs of reconciliation and restoration—such as electing black female community leaders and holding ceremonies commemorating lynchings—are worth celebrating during the bicentennial. 

“People have short memories. Everything we’re going through we’ve gone through before,” Mounts said. “Alachua County was once dominated by the KKK. It’s worth reminding people that wasn’t that long ago.” 

The Matheson History Museum will also be the county’s official one-stop-shop for bicentennial merchandise throughout the year, with items such as bicentennial-themed waterproof tote bags, teddy bears and hats, along with learning more about Alachua County over the last 200 years with upcoming exhibits. 

In between transitioning bands, County Commissioners Ken Cornell, Charles Chestnut, Anna Prizzia and Marihelen Wheeler took turns reading a proclamation dedicating 2025 as “Discover 200 Year” in Alachua County, Florida. 

“It is my honor to proclaim 2025, as “Discover 200 Year” of bicentennial celebration in Alachua County, Florida,” Cornell read. “Whereas Alachua County lands have been nurtured and stewarded by indigenous peoples long before recorded history, including the Timucua and Seminoles and other tribes, whose presence and contributions remain vital to the area’s heritage.” 

Alachua County Poet Laureate E. Stanley Richardson followed the proclamation with a recitation of his poem titled “Eden.” He said that even though he wished he could’ve included more about the county in such a short space, he hopes the poem memorializes a few of the symbols and icons he said are signature to Alachua County. 

“I’m from here, I’m a former Gator football player,” Richardson said. “The Swamp is very big. I love Payne’s Prairie, Dance Alive, the Cade Museum and University and all the art. I think it’s a cool poem.” 

More information about Alachua County’s ongoing bicentennial events can be followed on the county’s bicentennial’s official website throughout the year. 

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.