On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the City of Orlando officially launched its year-long celebration marking the city’s 150th anniversary with a special event at City Commons Plaza, where Mayor Buddy Dyer, alongside city officials and community partners, unveiled a commemorative banner to kick off the festivities.

In his remarks, Mayor Dyer highlighted some of the events planned throughout the year, with the grand celebration set for July 31, 2025, the city’s official birthday. Notable events include the upcoming Orlando Collected exhibit at the Orange County Regional History Center, opening in April. The exhibit will showcase 150 unique items donated by local individuals and organizations, offering a window into the city’s rich history – my choice for the exhibit was the old sign for Dandelion Communitea Cafe which I helped to get donated to the History Center after covering their closure. It was hand-painted by local folk artist Morgan Steele, who passed away in 2016.

PHOTO VIA DANDELION COMMUNITEA CAFE

Later this summer, the Changing Face of Orlando: A Sesquicentennial Celebration public art exhibition will feature a striking visual comparison of historical photographs paired with their modern-day counterparts, illustrating the city’s remarkable transformation over the past 150 years.

The year-long celebration will culminate on July 31 with a city-wide service event and free admission to popular attractions, including Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum.

The City of Orlando invites all residents, businesses, and organizations to join in the celebration. Opportunities to participate include hosting events, offering special anniversary promotions, sharing personal Orlando stories on social media, and contributing historical anecdotes and photos to the city’s digital history board.

As part of the kickoff, the city also launched an official 150th anniversary webpage, where residents can stay updated on upcoming events, submit their own pieces of Orlando’s history, and find ways to get involved throughout the year. Additional promotions and details will be added as the year progresses. Join the celebration and stay connected at orlando.gov/150.

Brendan O'Connor

Editor in Chief of Bungalower.com

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