Featured Events in Ocala in May, 2025 (July Updated)

The 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/music, 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. F or more information or to apply as a participating artist, please visit: www.ocalafl.gov/artwalk. In the event of inclement weather, the First Friday Art Walk will be cancelled. Information Source: Ocala Cultural Arts | eventbrite

Would you like to grow your own fresh food? Interested in staying healthy? Join us for a program that combines growing your own food with a health-promoting diet. This all-day workshop will help you learn to sustainably grow fruits & vegetables, hydroponics, efficient irrigation, and edible ornamental plants that you can use to creat delicious and healthy recipes. When: May 6, 2024 from 9:00am - 4:30pm Where: 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd., Ocala, FL 34470 Cost: $40 per person. Lunch is included . Thanks in part to generous sponsorship, you will receive a hydroponic and vegetable growing kit, recipes, and edible plants! If you have special dietary restrictions, please let Mark Bailey know by April 25th. If you require special accommodations, requests must be made at least 2 weeks prior to the program. Call 352-671-8407 or email ironhill@ufl.edu We will also have an opportunity to test for anti-oxidants, which is a indicator of a healthy diet! Additionally, at a later date, will we have an edible landscape tour of our Florida-friendly Foodscaping Demonstration Garden on May 20th from 10:00am - 11:00am at the 4-H Farm located at 5151 SE 58th Ave (Baseline Rd.) Ocala. More details to be announced at the Plant to Plate program. Agenda: 9:00am - 9:10 Intro to Marion County Agriculture 9:10 - 11:00 Fruit and Vegetable Production 11:00 - 12:00 Florida-Friendly Foodscaping 12:00 - 1:00 Lunch 1:00 - 3:00 Growing with Hydroponics / Micro-irrigation / Herb & Garden tour 3:00 - 3:15 Break 3:15 - 4:15 Nutrition and Culinary Medicine 4:00 - 4:30pm Post-test / Evaluations Information Source: University of Florida | eventbrite

"Rock The Country - Ocala, FL is set to take place at the Florida Horse Park on May 9, 2025. This exciting event in Ocala promises a memorable experience for country music fans. Located at 11008 S Hwy 475, FL, 34480, the venue provides a picturesque backdrop for a day filled with live music, delicious food, and fun activities. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enjoy a fantastic country music festival in the heart of Ocala."

Fine Arts For Ocala Presents Symphony Under The Stars A community event fundraiser for FAFO's Ocala Arts Festival. Presented by: Fine Arts For Ocala, FAFO Date: Sunday, May 11th, 2025 — Mother’s Day Location: Ocala Golf Club, 3130 East Silver Springs Blvd. Performances by: • Becky Baby - 5pm • Ocala Symphony Orchestra- 7pm Have your email confirmation - printed or on your phone - ready at the gate, or just provide your name. Food: Bring your own food & beverages, or purchase from our fabulous food vendors. We have everything there you need, Food Truck Rally, Adirondack Chair Rentals, Premium Parking (Pay online only), and the Ocala Golf Club will be selling beer & wine. Chair rentals available for purchase BEFORE the event. You are also welcome to bring your own chairs. FAFO Board members help transfer people that need assistance from the parking areas to the ticket booths and the location of your choosing. Volunteers Needed: We need volunteers to help during the event. If you would like to help or have a child that needs service hours, we'd love to have you! Each volunteer will receive two FREE adult tickets for helping out. Sign up at FAFO.org. Symphony Under the Stars VIP Tickets include: • VIP Parking • VIP Lanyard • Full dinner with indoor or outdoor dining available • One Free Drink Ticket and Cash Bar or BYOB • Roped-off Area with Adirondack Chairs during the event • Enhanced Audio of Symphony Orchestra in Clubhouse • Private Clubhouse Restrooms VIP Parking: If you have purchased a VIP ticket, exclusive Ocala Golf Club parking is included. Have your VIP ticket ready to show on your phone or printed from your computer when you come to the Ocala Golf Club parking lot, or give us your name at the entrance. Drop Off: You may drop off your guests at the Ocala Golf Club entrance or at the Gate and you will be directed to your parking spot by FAFO Volunteers. Please do not bring: tents, large umbrellas, barbecue grills or pets Consider bringing: hand sanitizer, food, beverages (including alcohol), games, flashlights and bug spray Information Source: Fine Arts For Ocala, Inc. | eventbrite

Welcome to Healthy 55: Military Appreciation Breakfast for 55+! Come join us on Wed May 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM for a special event honoring our military veterans aged 55 and above. The event will be held at 1714 SW 17th Street at One Health Center in the Community Center , where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast together and express our gratitude for their service. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow veterans, share stories, and enjoy a morning of camaraderie. Let's show our appreciation for those who have served our country with dedication and sacrifice. Don't miss out on this chance to come together and celebrate our military heroes! Information Source: Healthy55 Powered by VIPcare | eventbrite

Do you want to learn how Marion County is working to protect our water resources as we grow? Do you want to see first-hand how developers and utilities are implementing solutions to protect our water supply? Join us for an exciting 2-day program to learn how to protect Marion County's water resources as our county grows . You will hear from experts, participate in a field trip, and explore local solutions. What will you learn? The 2025 program focuses on how to balance growth with the protection of water resources and will include an in-class session, a field trip, and a strategic discussion. During the field trip, you will learn about tools and approaches to conserving water at On Top of the World Communities and visit the Bay Laurel Center CDD new advanced wastewater treatment facility. This program, hosted by the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension's Water School program, is policy-neutral and fact-based, ensuring an unbiased platform for all attendees. Topics An Overview of Florida's Water Resources Water Regulations and Policy in Florida Florida-Friendly Landscaping TM Florida Water Star SM program Latest research on soil amendments and turf fertility Marion County Growth and Land Conservation Water Supply Planning and more! Event Details The event is a 2-day program. Please plan to attend both days. Thursday, May 1, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Friday, May 2, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Lunch will be provided on both days. Location Southeastern Livestock Pavilion (SELP) Auditorium 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL 34470 Registration Register via Eventbrite or call our office at 352-671-8400 (ask for Angie) A limited number of scholarships are available. For more information, contact owells@ufl.edu CEUs 10 CEUs are available for FNGLA's Certified Professionals and Florida Water Star SM Accredited Professionals. Please contact owells@ufl.edu for more information. Agenda Day 1: Thursday, May 1, 2025 8:30 - 9:00 - Registration and Refreshments 9:00 - 9:15 - Welcome and Opening Remarks Crystal McCazzio, Interim County Extension Director, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Michael Dukes, Ph.D., Associate Dean and Professor, Director, UF/IFAS Center for Land Use Efficiency 9:15 – 9:30 – Hydrogeology of Marion County, Mary Beth Lupo, PhD., P.G., Professional Geologist Administrator, Florida Geological Survey 9:30 – 9:50 - Understanding Water Regulations and Policy Analysis in Florida, Weizhe Weng, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department 9:50 – 10:10 - Break 10:10 – 10:40 - Florida Water Star – Meeting Water Needs During Explosive Growth , Robin Grantham, Lead Communications Strategist, Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) 10:40 – 11:20 - Florida-Friendly Landscaping TM , Claire Lewis, Director, Florida-Friendly Landscaping TM Program, UF/IFAS Program State Specialized Extension Agent, and Amanda Marek, Florida-Friendly Landscaping TM Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County 11:20 – 11:40 - Soil Amendments and Research at On Top of the World, Eban Bean, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS 11:40 – 12:00 - Turf Age and Fertility and Research at On Top of the World AJ Lindsey, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UF/IFAS Department of Environmental Horticulture 12:00 – 1:00 - Lunch 1:00 – 4:30 - Field Trip On Top of the World Communities : Tour model homes to learn how Tour model homes to learn about the latest landscape and irrigation approaches to conserving water including Florida Water Star SM and Florida Friendly Landscaping TM designs. Andrew Jorgensen, Director of Community Maintenance Operations, On Top of the World Communities, LLC Bay Laurel Center CDD : Visit the new state of the art advanced water reclamation facility designed to reduce Nitrogen and Phosphorus loadings to Groundwater while reclaimed water to the growing community’s golf courses and landscaping. Bryan Schmalz, Utility Director 4:30 - Adjournment Day 2: Friday, May 2, 2025 8:30 - 9:00 - Registration And Refreshments 9:00 – 9:15 - Welcome, Introduction to Extension Kevin Camm, Associate District Extension Director – Central District, UF/IFAS Extension 9:15-10:00 - Discussion 10:00 – 10:15 - Break, Springshed Map activity 10:15 – 10:30 - Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs BMAPs. Ondine Wells, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County 10:30 – 11:00 - Marion County Growth and Farmland Preservation Area , Kenneth Weyrauch, Deputy Director, Growth Services, Marion County 11:00-11:30 - Florida Regional Landscape Conservation and Watershed Protection, Tom Hoctor, Ph.D., Director, University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning 11:30 – 12:00 - Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Plan, Suzannah Folsom, Executive Director, Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority 12:00 – 1:30 - Lunch 1:30 – 2:10 - Rotations: Taylor Garden Tour, Amanda Marek, Florida-Friendly Landscaping TM Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Water Resources in Marion County - Trevor Knight, Water Resources Liaison, Office of the County Engineer, Marion County HB 1379 related to septic systems and & Water-Efficient Landscaping study - Yilin Zhuang, Ph.D., Water Resources Regional Specialized Agent, UF/IFAS Central District Ondine Wells, Water Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County 2:10 – 4:10 - Group Discussion 4:10 – 4:30 - Graduation and Evaluation The Marion County Water School is partially funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). Information Source: UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County | eventbrite

Information Source: UF/IFAS Marion County | eventbrite

Kentucky Derby PUB CRAWL DRESSING UP IS ENCOURAGED! (But not required) Come join us for a wild time at all your Local Favorites for our Kentucky Derby PUB CRAWL ! Get ready to sip on mint juleps, wear your fanciest hats, and enjoy a day of fun with friends! We'll be exploring the best pubs in town, so lace up those shoes and get ready to trot around the city in style. Don't miss out on this exciting event - it's going to be a race to remember! The starting gate will be at SAY TACO (10 NE 1st ST.)! This is where you'll receive your Derby Ticket & Koozie! Grab your first cocktail from them and continue on the Track to: The Lodge - Mutiny - Mellow Mushroom - The District - & The Black Sheep who will all have fun cocktails waiting for you! Hit all the spots and finish the race at The Black sheep where you'll receive your Derby Rose! Information Source: The Black Sheep on Broadway | eventbrite

Join us at Bloom and Brush for a special Mother’s Day celebration featuring a fun paint-and-sip session, live DJ, floral crafts, and a photo area to capture the memories. Enjoy wine, light refreshments, and a relaxing atmosphere. This event is for guests 21 and over. Information Source: eventbrite

Tuesday, 5/13- 5:30pm-7pm - Marion Literacy Council presents: An Evening Celebrating the Beauty, Simplicity, and Power of Being Read To . Join the Marion County Literacy Council for an informal evening of reading and being read too. Join us as some of our adult learners – as well as anyone who would like to! - Luxuriate in an activity that many of us abandon as children: the simple, transformative pleasure of having someone read aloud to us. This is a free event, with a suggested donation of $20. Milk & cookie bar will be available for all. 'Fan Fav' ribbons will be available for purchase. Brought to you by the Philanthro-Creatives for MCA's Melodic Metamorphosis art exhibition, benefiting the Marion Literacy Council and Arts In Health Ocala Metro. Information Source: Marion Cultural Alliance | eventbrite

Information Source: Getitgirl Waist Trainer | eventbrite

Information Source: UF/IFAS Marion County | eventbrite

Information Source: UF/IFAS Marion County | eventbrite

Experience the magic of dance at the upcoming Radar Dance Complex Gala in Ocala, FL. The event will take place at the prestigious College of Central Florida Fine Arts Center -127 on May 31, 2025. Enjoy a spectacular evening filled with mesmerizing performances by talented dancers. Tickets for this exclusive event range from $20 to $30. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a memorable night of artistry and grace. Mark your calendars and secure your tickets to the Radar Dance Complex Gala today.