Ocala Strawberry Festival
Ready for a “Berry” good time? The 10th annual Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival is coming to the McPherson complex on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The festival begins at 9 am with FREE admission and ends at 5 pm. Proceeds collected from parking ($5 per vehicle) will benefit the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association and Habitat for Humanity of Marion County.
The festival starts with over 230 unique and exciting vendors, a kid’s zone with a petting zoo, strawberry food items that melt in your mouth, a bigger-than-ever car show with cool cars, trucks, and motorcycles, a pie-eating contest, a BMX show. Top-notch entertainment will be with performances from the Petty Experience Band, and Chris Patti, a Great Crooners and Frank Sinatra Tribute Artist.
Many nonprofits will have vendor booths, and Several photo booths will be available. The festival offers fresh Florida grown strawberries to purchase with many delicious strawberry treats. Come watch the strawberry pie eating contest.
The festival is for all ages, there is food for all tastes and fun for all generations of festival-goers. Habitat for Humanity could not host this event without the over 700 dedicated volunteers who have donated their time, efforts, and knowledge to assist.
All proceeds raised at the annual Strawberry Festival will be used to build a new home which will be called the Strawberry House for low-income families with an affordable mortgage and a safe and secure environment to raise their children.
For more information visit: https://habitatocala.org/strawberry/
Humane Society of Marion County Invites Youth to Play with Shelter Cats
The Humane Society of Marion County is thrilled to introduce their brand-new program, "Meeting New Furrends," specially designed for local youth aged 10 to 15!
At the Humane Society in Ocala, young animal enthusiasts can join in a delightful 30-minute session to socialize and play with adorable cats in a peaceful and private room. The Humane Society has all the essentials covered – treats, toys, catnip, and more to make it a purrfect experience. Plus, participants will be pampered with refreshments and comfy blankets for the ultimate cozy cat cuddling.
The program classes are divided into two age groups: children (ages 10-12) and teens (ages 13-15). So, whether a child is a young cat whisperer or a teenager is a feline fanatic, there's a spot just for them!
Mark the calendars for the upcoming sessions on Saturday, March 2, with limited spots available, so registration is a must. There's more fun to come with sessions scheduled for April 6, and May 4.
For all the nitty-gritty details and to secure a spot, interested individuals can reach out to the Humane Society of Marion County at 352-873-7387, ext. 202,
