The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, Nov. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 26, 2017) – The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, Nov. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include the following special performances and activities:

• 6 to 9 p.m. – Live music by Nina Casteneda on the main event stage located at the Downtown Square near the gazebo
• 6 p.m. – Live entertainment by Xtraordinary Rising Talent
• 7 p.m. – Live entertainment by West Port High School’s MCCA Dance Program
• 8 p.m. – Live entertainment by the Cairo Dancers
• 6 to 9 p.m. – The Appleton Museum of Art, Painting with a Twist and the Marion County Public Library will provide free, hands-on art activities for all ages.

[Read more…]

The City of Ocala will host a West Ocala Wellness Community Garden Day Saturday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at the community garden located at 2200 W Highway 40, between SW 21st and SW 23rd Avenue.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 26, 2017) – The City of Ocala, in partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Marion County, Marion County UF/IFAS Extension Service, Marion County Children’s Alliance, Generation Fit, Feed the Need Garden, Inc. and the Heart of Florida Health Center, will host a West Ocala Wellness Community Garden Day Saturday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at the community garden located at 2200 W Highway 40, between SW 21st and SW 23rd Avenue. [Read more…]

‘An Artist’s Life: Paintings by Robert Stebleton’ will be on display at City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., beginning Tuesday, Nov. 7.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 26, 2017) – ‘An Artist’s Life: Paintings by Robert Stebleton’ will be on display at City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., beginning Tuesday, Nov. 7. This art exhibit is open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be on display through Wednesday, Jan. 10.

An opening reception for this exhibit will be held Thursday, Nov. 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at City Hall. The artist, Robert Stebleton, will be in attendance to engage with guests and provide unique perspectives into his artwork. Light refreshments will be provided. [Read more…]

*Immediate release. For further information contact Ashley Lopez at (352)629-8306. 

(OCALA, Fla.) October 24, 2017 – A snake, a turtle, and a cat were safely removed from a smoke-filled home, after a self-cleaning oven function led way to a stove fire.

Ocala Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the 1800 block of East Fort King Street, where a residential structure fire was reported, at 10:46 AM. Firefighters arrived to find the homeowner and two dogs outside. Upon entering, crews came across smoke coming from an oven which was accidentally set to clean with a pot containing grease inside. Attacking the oven fire with water cans firefighters extinguished the flame, and removed the animals that were unable to exit on their own – a snake, a turtle and a cat. [Read more…]

MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 25, 2017) – On the morning of Wednesday, October 25, 2017, detectives with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes Unit arrested Basil A. Franks (DOB: 04/26/1998) and Terell A. Angus (DOB: 07/02/1997) after they committed an armed robbery at a Dollar General store while wearing Halloween masks Tuesday evening. Both suspects have confessed to multiple robberies in Marion County, and detectives with the MCSO and the Ocala Police Department (OPD) will be evaluating additional charges against them for those cases.

At approximately 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24th, two armed, masked suspects, later identified as Franks and Angus, entered the Dollar General store located at 6725 SE Maricamp Road and committed an armed robbery. Witnesses say that Franks wore a “Freddy Krueger” mask and Angus wore a “Scream” mask, and Franks was armed with black handgun with a chrome chamber. Franks threatened the store employees with the firearm while Angus took money from the cash register and placed it into a blue cloth bag. The duo then fled the store. [Read more…]

The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host a Senior Fishing Derby Monday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at Tuscawilla Park located at 800 NE Sanchez Ave.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 25, 2017) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host a Senior Fishing Derby Monday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at Tuscawilla Park located at 500 NE Sanchez Ave.

This free catch-and-release event is open to adults ages 50 and older. A limited supply of fishing poles and bait will be available, however, participants are encouraged to bring their own. A complimentary lunch will also be provided. Prizes will be awarded for the smallest fish, biggest fish, the most fish caught and more. [Read more…]

The City of Ocala’s ‘Let’s Skate Ocala’ ice rink will open to the public Saturday, Nov. 11 in conjunction with the annual Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival. The skating rink will be located at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave., and will be open through Sunday, Dec. 31.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2017) – The City of Ocala’s ‘Let’s Skate Ocala’ ice rink will open to the public Saturday, Nov. 11 in conjunction with the annual Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival. The skating rink will be located at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave., and will be open through Sunday, Dec. 31.

Admission is $5 per person for a two-hour session. The rink will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m., Fridays from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. The rink will be closed Mondays and Wednesdays for private rentals and parties. For more information about venue rentals, please contact Bridgett Griffin, Therapeutic Recreation Programs Supervisor, City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department, at [email protected] or 352-368-5517. [Read more…]

The following is a list of road closures that will be in effect for the Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO) festival, taking place downtown Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2017) – The following is a list of road closures that will be in effect for the Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO) festival, taking place downtown Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29.

Road closures effective Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 a.m. to Sunday, Oct. 29 at 11:30 p.m. –

• SE First Avenue, from SE Third Street to E Silver Springs Boulevard
• E Broadway Street, from SW First Avenue to Osceola Avenue
• E Fort King Street, from Magnolia Avenue to Osceola Avenue
• SE Second Street, from Magnolia Avenue to Osceola Avenue
• SE Magnolia Avenue, from E Fort King Street to Silver Springs Boulevard

[Read more…]

Date:10/28/2017 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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

The Ocala Art Festival brings artists from across the United States to historic downtown Ocala.  In addition to 155 professional artists’ displays, this event includes live entertainment, food trucks, children’s art activities, student at competition and performances.  For details, please contact FAFO at 352-867-0355.  Have a wonderful time!