Civic pride marched in 1976 Jacksonville
Editor’s Note: Flashbacks is a recurring series of short vignettes contributed by the Jacksonville History Center that shines a light on the people, places and moments that have shaped Jacksonville’s rich and complex history. Each installment offers readers a glimpse into the stories – both celebrated and lesser-known – that continue to influence our city today.
“In God We Trust” was the theme of the Heritage Award-winning float in the July 4, 1976, parade. | Photo: George Linville Collection/Jacksonville History Center
Fifty years ago, America’s bicentennial was observed on Sunday, July 4, 1976. In Jacksonville, however, the celebrations lasted the entire month.
Jaxsons had a variety of events to enjoy – some at venues that no longer exist – including baseball games (the Jacksonville Suns at Wolfson Park), live performances, art shows and other events such as a bicycle race at the Gulf Life Building, “Alice in Wonderland” – a marionette show – at the Roosevelt Mall, table tennis matches at Exhibition Hall, and a picnic at Boone Park with music by Dale Crider and the Peyton Brothers.
Bicentennial Commissioner George Linville poses with Florida Air National Guard pilots next to an Air Force F-106A fighter jet decorated for America’s Bicentennial. | Photo: George Linville Collection/Jacksonville History Center
The July 4th Bicentennial Parade is noted as the city’s largest parade to date, drawing more than 275,000 people downtown for events and activities throughout the day and evening.
The Independence Day parade in 1976 included women marching in support of the Equal Rights Amendment in Florida, which has never ratified it. | Photo: Jacksonville History Center Collection
Also throughout the month of July, many well-known artists drew crowds to the Civic Auditorium, the Alexander Brest Planetarium, the Gator Bowl and the Coliseum, including the Moody Blues, Loggins and Messina, Jimmy Buffett, Fleetwood Mac, New Riders of the Purple Sage, George Carlin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, Outlaws, Neil Young and Stephen Stills, and Tammy Wynette.
Owner of a real estate company and president or chairman of more than 60 organizations in his 80-year lifetime, George Linville, shown here left with Jacksonville Mayor Hans Tanzler, served as president of the year-long American Bicentennial Commission of Jacksonville in 1976. | Photo: George Linville Collection/Jacksonville History Center
The centerfold of the “Town Post,” a 16-page tabloid newspaper, listed all the events – free or otherwise – in its Bicentennial issue, aptly named Bi-, Bi- American Pie. | Photo: Jacksonville History Center Collection
Contributed by The Jacksonville History Center