The Senior Fishing Derby was a great success, with over a hundred reservations accounted for. And the winners are: Oldest Fisherwoman – Lillie Brooks 97; Biggest Fish – Mae Jones.

Thank-Yous out to the City, especially Grace Huff for coordinating the event. Thank you to the city crew for the set up and clean up. Thank you to Dustin Echols of Clay Electric for cooking. Thanks to BJ Trophys for the two trophys and thanks to TomL Publishing for donating fishing rods, reels and restaurant coupons for door prizes (Ocala DownTown and Seniors Voice of Ocala newspapers). See more for pictures of the event… [Read more…]

The Marion County Genealogical Society will meet Thursday January 18, 2018 at 2 PM at the Marion County Public Library located at 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala.  A brief business meeting will be followed by the January program “Understanding and Using Your Autosomal DNA Test Results” by Drew Smith. For further information, contact Joel Swanson at (352)897-0840 or [email protected].

The City of Ocala is pleased to announce the selected sculptors and their works participating in the 2018-2019 Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition.

OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 7, 2017) – The City of Ocala is pleased to announce the selected sculptors and their works participating in the 2018-2019 Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition.

SELECTED ARTIST                                          LOCATION                         NAME OF SCULPTURE

Mike Hansel                                                       Middletown, RI                 Navigator

Corrina Sephora                                               Atlanta, GA                         Transcendence

John Gamache                                                  Ocala, FL                              Robustae

Claudia Lauster                                                 Naples, FL                            Job

Keith Bryant                                                       Charlotte, NC                     Leaf Boats

Richard Whitehill                                              Earlysillve, VA                    Waves

Kevin Lehman                                                    Lancaster, PA                     Monoliths: Shine

Gus and Lina Ocamposilva                            Clearwater, FL                   Arabesque

James Futral                                                       Ft. Myers, FL                      Metal Elephant

Darryl Lauster                                                    Arlington, TX                      Untitled (Monument to John Glenn) [Read more…]

Effective Monday, Dec. 11, the parking lot at the SE 31st Street Start! Walking Trail located at 2025 SE 31st St. will be closed for resurfacing.

OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2017) – Effective Monday, Dec. 11, the parking lot at the SE 31st Street Start! Walking Trail located at 2025 SE 31st St. will be closed for resurfacing. This resurfacing project is expected to be completed in approximately two weeks.

During construction, the walking trail will remain open to the public, however due to space limitations, there will not be a temporary parking lot available during this time.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 27, 2017) – The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include the following special performances and activities:

• 6 to 9 p.m. – Live music by Macey Mac on the main event stage located at the downtown square near the gazebo. Macey is a 13-year-old artist who channels a unique combination of LeeAnn Rimes, Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin.
• 7 and 8 p.m. – Enjoy modern fusion and gypsy-style belly dancing with swords, hula hoops, fire props and fire breathing by Belly Artist Dance Studio.
• Free hands-on art activities for all ages will be provided throughout the event by the Appleton Museum of Art, Painting with a Twist, Marion County Public Library, Karate America Ocala, Animis Foundation and the Discovery Center.

[Read more…]

Admission to this event is $5 per person. Veterans, active military and children ages five and under are free.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2017) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host ‘A Fight for Freedom: Attack on Fort King’ Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort King National Historic Landmark located at 3925 E. Ft. King St.

This two-day event will include a re-enactment of Chief Osceola’s attack on Fort King and the demise of Indian Agent Wiley Thompson, an event that led to the start of the Second Seminole War. The event will also include a Seminole village and soldier’s encampment to show what life was like back in the 1830s. Those in attendance will experience time-period crafts, traditional skills workshops, food, drinks and games, such as tomahawk throwing and horseshoes. [Read more…]

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 21, 2017) – Monday, Nov. 20 the City of Ocala began construction to upgrade the air system at Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) #3 located at 3100 SW 67th Ave. This project is expected to be completed by early April 2018.

“This project will upgrade the aeration equipment at WRF #3,” said Robyn Preston, Plant Supervisor, WRF #3. “This upgrade will allow for a better waste water treatment and nutrient reduction and will also ensure optimum treatment for current and future flows.” [Read more…]

This family-friendly holiday program will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays Dec. 5 through 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the downtown square.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 13, 2017) – ‘Santa on the Square’ returns to Downtown Ocala this December. This family-friendly holiday program will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19 and 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the downtown square.

Children of all ages will enjoy music, snacks and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus! This event is free and open to the public. Guests must be in line by 8 p.m. to get their picture taken with Santa and are encouraged to bring their own camera to capture this special visit.

For more information, please call the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.

Date: 11/18/2017 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Location: Downtown Ocala
100 SE 1st Ave., Ocala, Florida 34470

Light Up Ocala
Saturday | November 18 | 4 – 9p.m.

Join us for the 34th annual Light Up Ocala! Featuring live entertainment on four different stages throughout the event zone, over 100 vendors, all kinds of food trucks, and street performers throughout the area including the Living Angel Statues, dog acts, Punch and Judy, jugglers and more! There will be a kids zone with bounce houses, slides, and laser tag too. [Read more…]

The On Top of the World Concert Chorus will present an encore performance of their winter concert entitled “All-American Christmas” on Sunday, December 10 at 3:00 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 5200 SW College Road, Ocala, 34474.  This concert will include a collection of Christmas songs all by American composers.   This is a free concert but a good will offering will be collected.

This concert is open to the community and all are welcome to attend.  For information contact 352-854-8718.