While most will admit that the plea of insanity is overused at times these days, then there is the case of 31-year-old Matthew Pringle. He was recently arrested by Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies for robbing the same Dollar General store on consecutive days.

Matthew Pringle reportedly assaulted an employee on Nov 13th at the Dollar General on Hwy 326 and stole $327 cash from a self-checkout register. The next day on Nov 14th, Pringle returned to the store and was recognized by an employee, and when the employee tried to call 911, Pringle allegedly attacked him, snatched the phone, and forcibly took more cash from the register.

When deputies apprehended Pringle just down the road from the Dollar General store he admitted to the Dollar General robberies. He claimed to be compelled by voices directing him to conduct these robberies. So just another plea of insanity right? Well, if you look at his extensive record you will see that he was stopped by the TSA for trying to carry a loaded gun onto a plane at a West Virginia airport.

In a separate event, he threatened his neighbors while nearly naked in the middle of a street. He also hopped onto a moving Amazon truck, threatening the driver, and in another incident, he stole $900 worth of Walmart items but then left it all behind. The insanity plea is still up in the air as Pringle is currently being held at the Marion County Jail, with his bond set at $54,000.

First Friday Art Walk

Fri, Dec 1, 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. Join Ocala Cultural Arts for Art Walk! Enjoy over 40 artist displays, live music, and art!

The First Friday Art Walk in Ocala, Florida, is a vibrant and enriching event held on the first Friday of each month from September through May. This free event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. in the historic downtown area, located at Ocala Downtown Square, 100 SE 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470.

At the heart of the First Friday Art Walk is the celebration of artistic talent and creativity. The event features over 40 artist displays, showcasing a diverse range of art mediums available for viewing and purchase. This provides a fantastic platform for local artists to display their work and for attendees to appreciate and buy unique pieces of art.

In addition to the visual arts, the event is enlivened with monthly live entertainment and music, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages. Families can also engage in free art activities provided by local arts organizations, making it an inclusive event for children and adults alike.

The First Friday Art Walk extends beyond art displays, as it also includes extended shopping hours, allowing visitors to explore and shop at various local businesses. Participating visual artists and buskers are conveniently located along the downtown sidewalks next to these businesses, creating a seamless blend of art, music, and commerce.

3rd Annual Ocala Holiday Grinch Fest

The "3rd Annual Ocala Holiday Grinch Fest" at Tuscawilla Park promises to be a festive event, perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit. Scheduled for Sunday, December 3rd, from 11 AM to 4 PM, this public event is not just an occasion to get into the holiday mood but also a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories.

A highlight for many, especially children, will be the chance to meet the Grinch. The iconic characters offer great photo opportunities and a chance to interact with beloved figures.

There will be live music and of course, plenty of food trucks will be present. The event will also feature holiday crafters and shopping vendors. These vendors typically offer a variety of items, from home decor to handmade jewelry, making it an ideal spot for finding special and personalized holiday gifts.

Popeyes Ready To Reopen Soon

The Popeyes restaurant on S Pine Avenue is nearing the completion of its restoration. You may remember that after a series of storms about a year and a half ago the entire roof and ceiling collapsed! The fast-food restaurant is expected to reopen next month.

Woman Caught Driving Stolen U-Haul In Ocala

About a month ago I reported about the woman that stole the street sweeper in Lake County and went on a four-minute semi-high speed chase here in Marion County. Well, now there is another woman who is looking to get a felony after stealing a U-Haul box truck! On November 17, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested 43-year-old Robin Annette Bunnell-Jurasik after she was caught driving a U-Haul truck reported stolen from Citrus County.

A deputy, while on patrol, noticed the U-Haul truck traveling westbound near the 7900 block of SW Highway 200. After conducting a search of the vehicle's license plate number, it was confirmed that the truck was indeed the one reported stolen from Citrus County.

The deputy pulled Robin over and during the stop, Robin explained that she had rented the U-Haul truck to move items out of her residence. She claimed that difficulties in contacting U-Haul prevented her from returning the vehicle as scheduled. During her post-Miranda interview, she acknowledged that the return of the U-Haul truck was overdue, though she expressed uncertainty about the exact due date for its return.

The arrest report revealed that the U-Haul truck had been rented by Robin on October 5, 2023. And was due to be returned no later than October 9. When it was not returned it was reported as stolen on November 16, 2023.

Robin was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where she is facing charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, a felony offense. A court date has been set for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 19. Huge kudos to the Marion County Sheriff’s dept as it was reported stolen in another county and the driver was arrested less than 24 hours later.
A quick side note to my fellow ladies out there who are thinking of stealing a vehicle. I would steer clear of street sweepers trucks, U-haul box trucks, and Marion County altogether if I were you.

Ocala To Play Host For Rock The Country Music Festival

Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Travis Tritt, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and several more musicians are going to be visiting our area the first week in June as they will be performing at the “Rock The Country” two-day music festival out at Majestic Oaks Farms in Reddick. This two-day event will be held on June 7th and 8th. There are VIP seating tickets and regular admission available.

This festival promises a sold-out show, so make sure and go online to RockTheCountry.com to get yours today!

Brick City Bluegrass Festival

Today is the final day for early bird tickets for the inaugural Brick City Bluegrass Festival. This all-ages, outdoor music festival will feature both nationally known and local bluegrass bands, including headliner Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers. Learn more and buy tickets online at OcalaFL.gov/brickcitybluegrass

City of Ocala to Host Cooking Oil Recycling Day

After Thanksgiving, the city of Ocala is hosting an environmentally conscious event to manage the disposal of used cooking oil, which is especially relevant given the popularity of deep-frying turkeys during the holiday. Residents are invited to bring their used cooking oil to the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park, located at 2105 NW 21st St., from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 27.

To participate, residents should first allow the oil to cool, then pour it into a plastic container or jug with a lid. These containers can then be brought to the designated recycling area at the event. This initiative is part of the city's effort to prevent the negative environmental impacts associated with improper disposal of cooking oils.

The city emphasizes the importance of not pouring fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G.) down the drain. Doing so can lead to the buildup of these substances inside pipes, which can solidify, restrict wastewater flow, and potentially cause sewer backups or overflows. These issues can be costly and disruptive to repair and can have significant environmental impacts.

Residents seeking more information about this event or guidance on proper disposal practices can contact the Ocala Water Resources Department at (352) 351-6772. For more info:  ocalafl.gov.

Two For One!

Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ says that if you show their Facebook ad at the register and then spend $25, you can enjoy the thrill of one FREE game of ax throwing on them! Join them in some great food and let the fun begin!

Brick City Blue Grass Festival

Early bird tickets are on sale now through Nov. 27 for the first-ever Brick City Bluegrass Festival. This all-ages, outdoor music festival at Citizens Circle on Saturday, January 20 will feature both nationally known and local bluegrass bands, including headliner Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers. In addition to live music and entertainment, the event will feature a variety of food trucks. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Coolers will not be permitted inside the event area.  Learn more and buy tickets online at www.ocalafl.gov/brickcitybluegrass

Transportation Issues Continue For Marion County Schools

In the November 14th School Board meeting, transportation seemed to be a serious concern for several board members. Others were more concerned with the here and now and being “fiscally responsible” while being somewhat shortsighted towards the concerns for future students.
In a 3-2 vote, for example, the beleaguered transportation department's request for another bus driver trainer was approved. Reverend Cummings was the most vocal against the new trainer and bus driver being hired right now, even though his district 3 which is SW Marion County is one of the fastest growing and most in immediate need of trained bus drivers. If hired today, the trainer education would take an additional 3 years to complete. The demand for more bus drivers has made the current trainers use their skills training, while also providing bus transportation. Currently, there is a bus driver recruiter who is spending only a portion of the time recruiting, reviewing applications, and interviewing while the other portion is being utilized as a trainer and bus driver as well.

Two new student representatives have joined the Marion County School Board

Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) rotates two students from its eight high schools, juniors or seniors, each quarter of the school year. The students are selected by their school’s principal and join the board every Tuesday evening for its regular meeting.

Seniors Bryce Mctier from North Marion High School and Olivia Bittinger from Dunnellon High School were selected to represent their schools and the students of the entire district.

MCPS spokesperson Kevin Christian said the students are chosen based on their “leadership, service and excellence.” This includes a leadership position in school activities, community service or tutoring, and a high grade point average with accelerated classes.

Selecting two representatives instead of one was a board decision, opening the opportunity to more students and allowing them to share at a greater capacity during board comments.

Pioneer Village Tour at Silver River Museum & Education Center

Saturday, November 25, 2023, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The pioneer "cracker" village is a collection of buildings that portray life on the Florida frontier. The village is an assortment of historic and replica structures typical of the 1800s and includes several cabins, a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, a sugar cane mill and syrup kettle, a wood-fire pottery kiln, and a replica Seminole Indian camp. Tours start at 10 am and approximately every 15-20 minutes until 12 pm. Eventbrite tickets are not needed.

Public tours of the pioneer "cracker" village are offered monthly, on the second and fourth Saturday mornings. Tours are free with a paid state park entrance fee. 1425 Northeast 58th Avenue Ocala, FL 34488

Firestone is Being Built in Silver Springs Shores

There is a new Firestone Complete Auto Care facility currently under construction in Silver Springs Shores. This state-of-the-art building will span an impressive 6,500 square feet and is strategically situated at 30 Bahia Avenue and Maricamp Road, basically between Wendy's and the Florida Credit Union. The structure will boast eight spacious bays and the ambitious goal is to have the project wrapped up by the end of February 2024.

Ocala To Play Host For Rock The Country Music Festival

Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Travis Tritt, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and several more musicians are going to be visiting our area the first week in June as they will be performing at the “Rock The Country” two-day music festival out at Majestic Oaks Farms in Reddick. This two-day event will be held on June 7th & 8th. There are VIP seating tickets and regular admission available.

This festival promises a sold-out show, so make sure and go online to RockTheCountry.com to get yours today!

Update on the Plane that went down in Paynes Prairie

The pilot of a small single-engine plane that went down in Paynes Prairie on Tuesday afternoon was found dead at the scene.

Several Micanopy residents called the CCC about seeing a plane go down over the Paynes Prairie State Park around 2 pm. Unfortunately, the area is over 30 sq miles of difficult-to-traverse area that the Alachua County Sheriff’s dept needed to search.

The plane’s wreckage was discovered around 5:15 p.m. in a heavily wooded area within Paynes Prairie. After ACSO deputies secured the scene overnight, the investigation was turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The pilot was the only person on board, and the medical examiner's office will confirm the identity soon. According to the State, The Chacala Trail at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is temporarily closed.

Huge Indoor Holiday Craft Show

Get ready for an absolutely incredible shopping extravaganza! There is an amazing lineup of artisans and crafters who have poured their hearts and souls into creating the most beautiful and unique holiday gifts and decorations. And guess what? Remember to treat yourself as well! Don't forget to indulge in something special for YOU! What will you find at the Ocala Holiday Craft Show?  Artwork, Baby items, Baskets, Belts, Blankets, Books, Candles, Cards, Clothing, Equestrian items, Flags, Games, Glassware, Gourmet Food, Handbags, Hats, Holiday Decor, Home Decor, Jewelry, Lamps, Metalwork, Needlework, Ornaments, Paintings,  Personalized items, Pet items, Plants, Scrapbooks, Soaps, Toys, Tumblers, Woodworking, Wreaths and so much more! 

Free Parking and Concessions Onsite. Show Hours are Saturday, November 18 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sunday, November 19 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Light Up Ocala

You have probably noticed a lot of activity downtown Ocala. That’s because they are doing the last of the preparations for Light Up Ocala. Tomorrow, that’s this Saturday, November 18th from 4 pm to 9 pm Downtown Ocala will have over 100 vendors including crafts, art, and plenty of food options to choose from! Live entertainment will fill the air with festive sounds and an interactive kids zone will keep the whole family entertained. All activities culminate in the most exciting part of the event: lighting up downtown Ocala!
 

For additional information, visit www.ocalafl.org/lightup

Lanes reopen on I-75 after semi-truck crashes into median

You were probably noticing the excessive traffic throughout Ocala on Tuesday afternoon and evening. Traffic was backed up in both north and southbound directions on Interstate 75 after a semi-truck crashed into the median north of Ocala on Tuesday afternoon November 14
By 2:30 p.m., all lanes in both directions were back open but traffic was slow moving for quite some time.

Emergency crews responded to the wreck just south of the town of Zuber near mile marker 365 on I-75. The left lanes in both directions were temporarily completely blocked as crews worked to remove the large vehicle.

Pedestrian standing on I-75 killed in hit-and-run accident

A 41-year-old man who was standing on Interstate 75 in Marion County in the early morning hours of November 12 was struck and killed by a vehicle that fled the scene. The fatal accident took place at around 4:45 a.m. and led to the closure of multiple lanes of I-75 for several hours. According to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, an unknown vehicle was traveling northbound on I-75, in the right lane near the area of mile marker 342.

For unknown reasons, the 41-year-old man from Clearwater was standing in the right lane of the roadway. As a result, the man was struck by an unknown vehicle. After the impact, the vehicle fled the scene.

The crash is currently under investigation.   If you have any information that may help investigators, please contact the Florida Highway Patrol at 407-737-2300.

Less than an hour before the fatal accident involving the pedestrian, another accident involving multiple vehicles occurred near mile marker 341 of the highway.

In other words, please drive safe out there today ya’ll!

With the rain, we have had lately and the larger than usual amount of traffic coming for the holiday season and to escape the Northern cold weather…we will have more accidents. Take your time by leaving your home earlier if you need to. Don’t be in a rush. And when you are taking I-75 remember to be alert since the high rate of speed means much more frequent and serious vehicle accidents. 

Alexander Springs Alligator Issues Continue

The Forestry Service reported on their Facebook last Monday afternoon:
"The Alexander Springs swim area is now reopened following a brief closure today. The temporary closure was necessary for public safety following an alligator-related incident this morning. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission immediately responded and completed its investigation. No alligators were harmed or removed from the area, as a result of this investigation."
In July, there were two alligator incidents that temporarily closed down the springs. One resulted in a young man going to the hospital for treatment.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends that if you see a gator, Remember to keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey.

Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. Never feed an alligator. It’s illegal and dangerous. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food. This can lead to dangerous circumstances for yourself and other people who could encounter the alligator in the future.
People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at: 866-FWC-GATOR(866-392-4286)

The Forest Jam

Come and experience the local

sounds of your community. Whether you want to play, sing, or listen, the jam is open to everyone.

Thursday's 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Forest Community Center 777 S. Hwy 314 A Ocklawaha

For more information visit parks.marionfl.org or call 352-438-2840

Ocala is one of the ‘Most Beautiful Places’

Travel + Leisure published its list of the “Most Beautiful Places in the Sunshine State” on Saturday. Ocala/Marion County came in at number 18 on the list, which included 26 locations from all across the state.

“Ocala and Marion County boast miles of untainted nature, making it a great destination to experience natural wonders, outdoor adventure, world-class sporting facilities, and culture,” according to Dana Young, president and CEO of Visit Florida. In addition to the Ocala/Marion County area, the magazine also named the Three Sisters Springs in nearby Crystal River as one of its most beautiful spots. The spring is regularly visited by dozens of manatees during cold weather.

The accolade is one of several that the city of Ocala has received this year from publications around the United States.

Earlier this year, Ocala was ranked as the most affordable place to live in the state of Florida and ranked among those with the most new residents over the past year.

Super Saturday Basketball

Mary Sue Rich Community Center 1821 NW 21st Ave Ocala, FL. Is inviting you to: “Bring your friends for a pickup game.” This is a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends while staying active and having fun. Perfect for all levels of play and all ages. Every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon

All Ages, Free, No Registration. For more information call 352 401 6980

Light Up Ocala

Saturday, November 18th from 4 pm to 9 pm Downtown Ocala will have over 100 vendors including crafts, art, and plenty of food options to choose from! Live entertainment will fill the air with festive sounds and an interactive kids zone will keep the whole family entertained. All activities culminate in the most exciting part of the event: lighting up downtown Ocala!
 

For additional information, visit www.ocalafl.org/lightup

Tickets Still Available For Soul Asylum Concert In Ocala

Tickets are still available to see Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum-selling rock band Soul Asylum in Ocala next week. On Friday, November 17, Soul Asylum will perform at the Reilly Arts Center. The band’s breakthrough came with the release of their 1992 album Grave Dancers Union, which features the international hits “Runaway Train,” “Black Gold,” and “Somebody to Shove.”

Tickets for the November 17th concert at the Reilly Arts Center range from $25 to $55. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and it will feature special guest Drivin N Cryin. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Reilly Arts Center website.

Ocali Country Days Are Back This Fall

The festival runs through this weekend of November 11th – 12th 9 AM – 4 PM with live music, historic displays, vendors, great food, unique crafts for sale and more.

Visitors experience the Florida of yesteryear with Living History exhibits highlighting life during the 1800s. Tour pioneer cabins, visit with crafters demonstrating old time skills, watch sugar cane syrup being made, take a tram ride through the state park, tour the Silver River Museum and much more!

$8 per person, children 5 and under FREE

Board Game Night at Meeple Movers Cafe

New to gaming? Don't worry, they are a friendly bunch and they will have you relaxing with new friends and fun games in no time. The Meeple Crew is available to get you started tonight Fri, Nov.10 · 5:00 PM.

Open Board Game Nights are the best at Meeple Movers Board Game Cafe! They have shelves full of games ready for you to try.

Due to being a registered food establishment, please do not bring outside food or drinks. They have sodas, tea, water, and coffee (leaded and unleaded) available. And a great selection of beer, cider and wine. You'll also find a menu of cafe items from chicken nuggets to pizza.

Please note, there is a $5 (plus tax) per person charge to play, but you'll have access to a clean play space, a great game library of hundreds of games, and a fun evening! Memberships are available for flat-rate gaming - ask Jon at the event. You are welcome to bring your own favorite game, but please leave game bags in your vehicle.

School Bus Carrying 20 Children Sideswiped A Pick-Up Truck

Dejavu! Thursday of last week I reported on a bus crash and again today I’m going to be telling you about another bus crash!

A school bus was involved in an accident on County Road 464 in Marion County on Tuesday evening.

Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at around 5:05 p.m. The school bus and a pickup truck were both traveling eastbound on Maricamp, near SE 64th Avenue Road. The school bus was traveling within the inside lane and the pickup truck was within the left turn lane as both vehicles approached the intersection, according to the Florida Highway Patrol incident report.

The school bus veered into the left turn lane, which caused its left side to collide with the right side of the pickup truck.

The report identified the driver of the school bus as a 59-year-old Reddick woman, and the pickup truck’s driver and sole occupant was a 57-year-old man from Ocala.

A total of 20 children were on the school bus at the time of the crash.

There were no injuries reported.

School Choice and Community Resource Expo Tonight at WEC

Marion County Public Schools will host its annual School Choice and Community Resource Expo in Ocala this week to showcase local magnet schools and the abundance of academic options that are available to students.
The free event will be held tonight Thursday, November 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Expo Center 2, which is located at the backside of the World Equestrian Center. During the two-hour expo, participating students, parents, and families will get to learn about the different school choice options offered by Marion County Public Schools and visit various community resources, all in one convenient location. According to MCPS, the goal of the expo is to provide families with an experience to learn about school choice options while receiving direct links to district and community resources.
The application window to apply for school choice, magnet, and Career Academy options will open on the day of the expo, and all applications must be received by no later than January 31, 2024. To apply for school choice, visit the MCPS website and click on the “Student Enrollment and School Choice” tab. Next, click on “Apply To School Choice” to begin the application process.
If accepted into school choice programs, the student’s parents/family must provide their own transportation since the district does not provide transportation for out-of-area placements. For more information, contact the MCPS School Choice office at 352-671-7743.

Two New Fire Stations For Marion County

Marion County Fire Rescue is celebrating the start of construction for a new $8.4 million emergency medical services facility, EMS Central, set to replace the old one built in 1960. Located at 1400 SW Sixth Ave. in Ocala, the 19,400 sq. ft. facility will feature 12 vehicle bays, accommodations for 21 personnel, and other essential amenities. The existing station, previously a juvenile detention center, is now inadequate for the EMS team's needs.

Additionally, a $4.6 million fire station is planned in Citra, replacing the station at Northeast 180th Lane and U.S. 301 S. Contracted to Charles Perry Partners Inc., it will feature a 4,386 sq. ft. vehicle bay and 3,737 sq. ft. of living quarters. This project, like the EMS Central, is funded by the county's penny sales tax.

While the Citra station's groundbreaking date is pending, operations will continue at the old site until the new one is ready. The Citra project includes a "Safe Haven Baby Box" for safe, anonymous infant surrenders. Both projects are part of the county's long-term development plan, with the Citra land being a donation from the Citra Improvement Society.

Ocala Man Dies In Alachua County Crash

An Ocala man, aged 31, died on Tuesday night October 31st after his SUV crashed into two trees in Alachua County. The accident occurred around 11:45 p.m. on County Road 234, near County Road 2028. The man reportedly didn't stop at a stop sign, causing the SUV to cross County Road 2082 and collide with two trees. Following the crash, the vehicle caught fire. The driver, who wasn't wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the SUV and died at the scene, as confirmed by Alachua County Fire Rescue. His identity has not been disclosed by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Coffee, Cake & Community

NOMA Gallery cordially invites you to Coffee, Cake, and Community hosted EVERY Thursday from 1 to 4 PM. It's a no-pressure get-together for artists and art gallery guests.

No charge!

The whole community is welcome. Artists often bring their current projects to work on or sketch our silly still life, and business people do all the business-type things on their laptops while sitting on our comfy couches.

To make CCC even more fun, we will have a live clothed model for figure drawing on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month if you would like to participate for only $10. Please note, payments must be made in person via cash.

Ocala Geekfest!

Sunday, Nov 12th

Come out and join us for our 4th annual Ocala Geekfest! Comics, cards, vintage toys, games, tabletop gaming, Funko, DND, and much much more!!! All things Marvel, Disney, DC, Anime, sci-fi, and more! The holiday season is quickly approaching! Come on out and shop local! This is going to be a great time!

12 PM - 4 PM!!!

Over 50 vendors!

Food trucks

Cosplay contests

DJ

Live entertainment and much more!!

Admission is Free

Parking is free

Ocala downtown market

Party In The Park

New Cars and Live Music! Rain or Shine!

Join Jenkins Auto Group in Tuscawilla Park Free Event on November 11 from 12 PM to 5 PM to enjoy live music, food trucks, local arts and vendors, and the opportunity to see the latest lineups by Jenkins Auto Group! Bring a blanket and chairs to enjoy our musical lineup featuring Steeln’ Peaches – An Allman Brothers Revue and special guest John Copeland to open. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Schedule

12:15 PM John Copeland

1:45 PM Star Spangled Banner performance

2:00 PM Steeln’ Peaches

3:15 PM intermission

3:45 PM Steeln’ Peaches

The Circus Is In Town

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, gather 'round and get ready for the most spectacular show on Earth!

The circus is in town, and we've got thrills, spills, and chills that will leave you breathless!

Loomis Bros. Circus

Mon, Nov 6 @ 7:30 PM

Tue, Nov 7 @ 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM

Traditional circus acts, animals, and world-class artists

General Admission seating is first come first serve

Doors open one hour before each show

Rain or shine event

ADULT (12+), CHILD (2-12), FREE for kids under 2

Tuesday Talks

Join us in person or live on Facebook for our next Tuesday Talks on November 7th, 2023

Breakfast at 8:15 am, presentation at 8:30 am.

Join Darren Hohensee, Director of Business Development with Variable speak about a new labor model. Learn how adopting a Flexible Capacity Model will unlock new growth potential for your business!

Join us upstairs every 1st Tuesday of the month (excluding holidays), in the CEP Boardroom located at 310 SE

3rd Street, Ocala, FL 

First Friday Art Walk

First Friday Art Walk takes place the first Friday of each month, September through May from 6 to 9 p.m. First Friday Art Walk is a free event located within Ocala’s historic downtown. Event festivities include over 30 artist displays, monthly live entertainment, free family art activities provided by local arts organizations, and extended shopping hours.

Participating visual artists and buskers are located along the downtown sidewalks next to participating businesses. There are a variety of art mediums on display and for sale.

The main entertainment is located in the gazebo. November's main entertainment performer is: The Mudds.

In the event of inclement weather, the First Friday Art Walk will be canceled.

Junk In The Trunk

This Giant Community Yard Sale, Junk in the Trunk, will be back on Saturday, November 4th, 7:30 am - 1 pm!

Located just south of Brown's Country Market on Hwy 301, this is the perfect event for people who love yard sales, flea markets and looking for a bargain!

There will be 250+ sellers with all sorts of clear-out and yard sale-type items - it's different every time. There will also be a variety of food trucks to fuel everyone, which will add to the already great atmosphere!

If you are looking to sell it's REALLY easy as there's no need to register - just show up between 5:30 am and 7:30 am to set up.

Bring your own tables, chairs, shade, etc.

Due to safety reasons and advertised shopping times, sellers mustn't leave before 12:30 p.m.

It's free to shop and park and there is a small fee for sellers depending on the size of the vehicle you are selling out of:

Cars - $15         Trucks/SUVs/Jeeps - $20         Vans/Trailers - $25

School Bus Crash

In Marion County, Florida, a school bus crashed into a tree due to the driver's medical emergency around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. The bus was on CR-467, and the 40-year-old driver was the sole occupant. No students were on board. The driver's condition after being transported to a local hospital is currently unknown, as per Florida Highway Patrol.

The 16th Annual Stone Crab JAM Music Festival

Saturday, Nov. 4th, 12 pm to 11 pm The 16th Annual Stone Crab JAM Music Festival is ONE DAY ONLY Beer, Wine, soda, Vendors, Food Trucks, Sweets, a variety of Seafoods, AND Landlubber foods ???? SIX LIVE BANDS! Stroll Open Container and Dance in the Streets - BAYSIDE, beautiful, historic, Crystal River,

Tickets are only $15

12 & under FREE

Parking: Free

Bringing pets is discouraged because of crowd size.

Girls Night Out This Saturday Night

November’s “Girls Night Out” event at the Ocala Downtown Market.

Bringing you a high-energy experience with amazing vibes, shopping, music, drinks, food trucks, photo ops, and local central Florida women-owned businesses. Offering all things women!

Grab the girls and come celebrate each other while enjoying an amazing Autumn night out!

Experience a variety of luxurious products and services including fairy hair, glitter tattoos, permanent jewelry, plants, massages, boutique shopping and so much more!

The event features music By DJ Rae Bae

This is Saturday night from 6 pm-9 pm at the Ocala Downtown Market.

MCA’s Block Party!

Marion Cultural Alliance’s, iconic fundraiser and exhibit Block Party, returns - bigger, bolder, and 'blockier' than ever!

Back by popular demand, this exhibit features 12 x 12 ‘blocks’ of art created by local and regional artists, designers, and creators. This year's theme is in honor of Hip Hop music's 50th anniversary. The month-long Block pARTy Exhibit launches with the VIP Reception, on Friday, November 3, at the Brick City Center for the Arts from 5 - 7 pm. VIP guests will enjoy an evening of art, music, tapas, and drinks surrounded by more than 100 pieces of original art.

Each VIP’s name will be placed in a drawing. Tickets will be drawn randomly, and the guests will be able to select the artwork of their choice in the order their ticket is drawn. The paintings will remain on display throughout the month of November when the art will be available for pickup. Following the VIP Reception, the Gallery will open to the public from 7- 9 p.m., coinciding with the City of Ocala’s First Friday Art Walk. All remaining paintings will be priced at $75 each. Theme attire is encouraged! Think old-school hip-hop (Run DMC, LLCoolJ, Salt & Pepa). VIP ticket prices are $50