Events
Birding is the fastest growing new activity and January is peak birding time in central Florida so join Oklawaha Valley Audubon Society for a field trip and start 2018 off right. On Friday, January 5, 2018, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm they will be doing Golf Cart Birding with the Villages Birding Club which is free. On Sunday, January 14, 2018, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm they will be going to Circle B Reserve Birding and the cost is $10 for members and $15 for non members. Both trips will have expert guides and everyone is welcome no matter what your level of experience. Attendees are encouraged to bring binoculars, cameras, hats, water, snacks and wear comfortable hiking clothes and shoes. Email rayesm105@aol.com or call/text 609-553-0757 for details to register in advance.
Oklawaha Valley Audubon Society (OVAS) presented Lavon Silvernell of Astatula with the Conservationist of the Year award at their Holiday Luncheon on December 3rd. OVAS was founded in 1966 and has been a conservation advocate in Lake County for over 50 years. They presented their first Conservationist of the Year Award in 2008 to recognize someone who had significant conservation achievements in Lake County. Last year, Welton Cadwell, former Lake County Commissioner, received the award, recognizing him for a “Lifetime of Conservation”. Continue reading
Date:12/15/2017 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Tuscawilla Park
829 NE Sanchez Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34470
Join us for Let’s Skate Ocala’s Friday night theme night, “Santa’s Workshop” with this favorite holiday movie! Ice rink admission is $5/person, n fee for movie. Popcorn and drink will be available for a small fee. Please bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, call 352-368-5517.
Location: Downtown Square
100 SE 1st Ave.
Ocala, Florida 34470
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 bri ng 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.. Ho! Ho! Ho!
The Marion Civic Chorale and Countryside Presbyterian Church Choir, both directed by Ryan Pagels and the Chancel choir from First Presbyterian Church, directed by David Bedenbaugh will perform on Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 pm. at Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 S.W. Hwy 200, Ocala. They will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra of local musicians.
The first half of the program will be a sing-a-long of favorite carols followed by “The Gift of Love,” an original work, written by Bedenbaugh and Pagels. This is based on the 9 Lessons & Carols.
The public is invited and there is no admission charge but a freewill offering will be taken.
For further information, please call the church office at (352) 237- 4633.
Phoca Press announces the launch of Air Capabilities of the U.S. Navy SEALs: A History of Innovation by The Villages resident Captain (SEAL) Norman H. Olson, U.S. Navy (Retired). We will also be hosting a special pre-launch celebration and book signing will be held at the Evans Prairie Country Club December 9 and a book signing at his home drop zone at Skydive City, Zephyrhills, Florida December 10, 2017.
Evans Prairie Country Club Pre-Launch at The Villages
December 9, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Captain Norman Olson will host an afternoon of question and answer, sharing of historic photos and memorabilia and book signing.
http://phocapress.com/category/press-news-pr/
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.
For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5533.
‘A Fight for Freedom: Attack on Fort King’ Dec. 2-3
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.
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
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. Continue reading