TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN THE 352

10TOP *

THINGS TO DO IN THE 352 :

A HANDY GUIDE TO GET YOU GOING AND KEEP YOU BUSY THIS MONTH.

1

BALLOON FESTIVAL // FEBRUARY 5-6

This much-anticipated annual event will feature hot air balloon competitions, tethered balloon rides, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, and more. The festival, presented by Fross and Fross Wealth Management, will take place at The Villages Polo Club and will include food o erings at the Fly Me to the Food alley, and beer and wine will be available for purchase at the Bottoms Up Beer Garden. The Fun Zone will include activities for the young and the young at heart. The event will go on rain or shine, and balloon glows and ights will take place at scheduled times each day and evening. Visit the Facebook event page for details.

2VALENTINE’S SIP N’ SHOP & BESTIE BASH // FEBRUARY 13 Grab your girlfriend and the kiddos, and spend the day sipping and shopping at the Paddock Mall. The event will include live entertainment, drinks, vendors and more. Bring the kids to enjoy the cool KidX event while you shop. They will enjoy games, crafts and more. The event takes place from 11am-2pm. Visit the Facebook event page for details. THREE

STAYIN’ ALIVE: THE WORLD’S #1 TRIBUTE TO THE BEE GEES // FEBRUARY 18

Stayin’ Alive provides audiences with the sights and sounds of a rockin’ Bee Gees concert, including the hit playlist. The group will perform such favorites as “Jive Talkin’,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Stayin’ Alive” and “You Should Be Dancing,” among many others. The event takes place at the Circle Square Cultural Center, and ticket prices range from $23 to $28. The show begins at 7pm, and doors open at 6pm. For more information about the group, visit stayinalivetribute.com. To purchase tickets, go to csculturalcenter.com.

4

DISCOVERY DATE NIGHT // FEBRUARY 19

Get a babysitter for the little ones, and head out to the Discovery Center. Yes, without them! It’s Date Night at the Center, and it’s all about having fun and being a kid at heart. Tinker with the Chain Reaction Charlie exhibit with your sweetie. Wine and light snacks will be served, and the event runs from 6:30-9pm. Snacks will be served at 6:30pm. Stroll through the exhibit hall enjoying the hands-on o erings, and participate in guided building challenges. The cost is $30 per couple, and masks are strongly encouraged. Visit mydiscoverycenter.org and click on Events to purchase tickets, or call the Discovery Center at (352) 401-3900 for details.

FIVE ANTIQUES AND COLLECTORS EXTRAVAGANZA // FEBRUARY 19-21 Renningers Mount Dora Flea Market and Antique Center’s extravaganza will include more than 800 vendors selling a variety of items, including antiques, collectibles and more. The show will take place outdoors under SOUTHEASTERN YOUTH FAIR // FEBRUARY 19-27 The SEYF will go on as scheduled this year; however, organizers were still determining the details of the show at press time. Each year the fair showcases the hard work of student farmers, entrepreneurs and more. The show typically includes competitions in many animal categories, including market steer, open-air buildings, in tents and more. The three-day event swine, lamb and goat. Other animal categories

opens at 8am and closes at 5pm each day. A three-day 6 include beef heifer, breeding lambs, dairy goats, pass will cost $15, Friday the cost is $10, Saturday is $6 chickens, a dog show, horse show and more. and Sunday is $4. Also on property is the Flea and Farmers Other competition categories include home arts, Market, which will be open from 8am to 4pm on Saturday horticulture and photography, plus barbecue and Sunday. The Flea and Farmers market is free to shop. contests, tractor driving, speech contests and more. For details, visit the event’s Facebook page. For the most up-to-date information, visit seyfair.com.

7ART OUTSIDE THE LINES // FEBRUARY 20

Join the City of Ocala to celebrate the city’s public art exhibits and installations. Art Outside the Lines will take place at Tuscawilla Art Park and include food trucks, a live musical performance and art activities, including a partnership event with Junior League of Ocala’s HeART in the Park. For a behind-the-scenes tour, guests may curate their own experience by purchasing a Curator Pass for $15 per person. The pass includes art-themed games, two guided public art tours, prizes and free beverages, including alcohol. General admission to the event is free. For details, visit ocala .org/artpark or call the Ocala Cultural Arts department at (352) 629-8447.

TALLEY’S FOLLY // FEBRUARY 25-MARCH 21

In this romantic production by Lanford Wilson, two kindred spirits from di erent worlds are brought together through a series of love letters. This Ocala Civic Theatre production

takes place on a Missouri Farm in the 8mid-1940s. Adult tickets are $30, and tickets for those 18 and younger are $15. Masks are required in the theatre, and guests will be socially distanced through seating charts. Productions will take place on Thursday through Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. To purchase tickets, visit ocalacivictheatre.com. 9 2021 GRIT STRENGTH CHALLENGE // FEBRUARY 27 This team- and tness-based strength and tness challenge has competitors using objects that were available during the Florida Seminole War period of 1817 through 1858 as tness items. The event is a combination of Strongman competitions, CrossFit and Highland Games. GRIT will take place at the newly restored Fort King National Historic Landmark on Fort King Street and also acts as a fundraiser for the facility. Teams will be challenged to move objects like logs, sandbags and barrels over certain distances. The event is held entirely outdoors and will take place from 8am to 5pm. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

10

COUPLES’ GLOW BALL // FEBRUARY 27

This nine-hole glow ball scramble golf event is sure to be a one-of-a-kind evening out. The Country Club of Ocala course will be lit with glow sticks to light your way, and your ball will glow in the dark. The fee is $25 per person, and babysitting services will be available. The fee includes glow accessories and the prize fund; however, cart fees are not included in the ticket price. There is a 6pm start time, and you’re encouraged to bring a ashlight. The deadline to register is February 25, and you can do so by calling (352) 237-6644 or by emailing tdaniels@hampton.golf.