Founders’ Day, anniversary of Ocoee massacre fall in the same week; why some residents want that changed

OCOEE, Fla. — Ocoee residents are split over whether the Ocoee Founders’ Day event should be renamed or rescheduled after it was planned for the same week as the 100th anniversary of the Ocoee massacre.

"You have some citizens who are fractured and concerned," a resident said during a recent Ocoee commission meeting.

On Election Day in 1920, black people were killed and chased from their homes after trying to vote.

READ: Bills propose more education on Ocoee massacre, compensation for decedents

Some residents are upset as they believe some of the founders may have been responsible for the massacre.

This year’s Founders’ Day celebration occurs during the same time July Perry was slain. Perry was a wealthy citrus grower who was involved in helping black people get their right to vote.

“It’s not that we’re trying to eliminate Founders’ Day, it’s just that we don’t want it to interfere,” one resident said.

The Founders’ Day festival is known for its big musical acts.

Some feel it honors the city founders, and needs to remain. Others suggested changing the name to the Ocoee Music Festival. The renaming suggestion never made it to a vote

Once in December, and at a hearing on Jan. 7, there were pushes to move the festival away from the first week in November to honor the lives of those lost.

“We have an opportunity here in Ocoee to start a new and honorable tradition,” a resident said.

But both attempts failed.

There will be events to remember the massacre in Ocoee on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, the weekend before the festival.

But some wanted the remembrance to be a week long, and said they are still planning to push to get the date or name changed.

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