352 Preview Magazine 03/23

JUST LISTED

19+ Acres in NW Ocala

4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, open living room, chef’s kitchen, high ceilings throughout, a delightful outdoor lanai area, and the triple split plan is perfect for added privacy. Luxurious owner’s suite. Partially fenced plus whole-house generator.

JUST LISTED

10 +/- Acres Close to Ocala/The Villages

The Lakes of Lady Lake

Amazing, renovated home overlooking the golf course. Features 3 BR, 2 BA, a ex room, vaulted ceilings, lots of natural light. e primary suite o ers a sitting area and spacious bath. e back screen-enclosed porch allows for beautiful views of the golf course.

Close to Ocala’s Historic District

$499,000

$325,000

Beautiful country setting surrounded by other farms. Property is zoned A-1 and is cleared, ready for you to build your dream home and layout your farm. Property has no deed restrictions and is suitable for any discipline.

Great opportunity to purchase or rent. Each oor o ers reception areas, 2 restrooms, conference rooms, kitchenette and four large o ces. ere is also an elevator, 15 parking spaces, extra storage and o ce space in the below garage area.

Willows of Bellechase

Exquisite home featuring 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms, stone replace with custom cabinets built-ins, solid-surface counters, wood ooring in the family room, gourmet kitchen, custom master suite with tray and co ered ceilings throughout. Easy access to all the city conveniences.

Minutes to World Equestrian Center

Seller Motivated $5,485,000

Great location-HWY 27 frontage! is is your opportunity to purchase 40.62+/- acres. 18-stall center aisle barn with o ce, full bath and tack room. Adjoining 42+/- acre parcel is also available.

Let Me Show You Ocala!

15.06 +/- acres is the perfect setting! Gently rolling land surrounded by a tree lined perimeter. Via Paradisus is a deed-restricted community, Equine friendly! Access to Cross Florida Greenway Trails and the Florida Horse Park. Other various sized lots available.

Recently updated o ce with 4 or 5 rooms, waiting area, plus kitchen. It could also be used as a residential home. Located just o Hwy. 200, close to all the city conveniences and hospitals. Currently zoned B-4, which allows for a wide and diverse range of uses. $647,500 $260.000

Turning Hawk Ranches

5+/- gorgeous acres in a gated community with access to the Florida Greenways and Trails. Home features split plan with classic architectural detailing, 4 en-suite bedrooms, expansive formal living room, o ce, media room and private backyard. $1,447,000

1.09+/- acre lot. Located just minutes to Trinity Catholic High School and Ocala. Located on a cul-de-sac for additional privacy. Overlooks horse farms in deed restricted and gated neighborhood. Bring your plans and build your dream home.

15.06 +/- Acres - Via Paradisus Located Just Off HWY 200

Oak Creek Caverns Lot $197,000

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CONTENTS 03.23

FLING SPRING

CENTRAL FLORIDA IS BLOSSOMING WITH FUN FESTIVITIES THIS SEASON.

8 TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN THE 352 & MORE

A handy guide to get you going and keep you busy this month.

WATCH EXPLORE

12 CONCERT SPOTLIGHT

Last-minute tickets and local shows you won’t want to miss.

14 DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?

Marion Theatre plays host to documentary lm premiere about Magic, the miniature therapy horse.

16 REACHING FOR THE STARS

The North Star Boys is an Asian American pop group that’s taking the Internet by storm.

18 MUCH ADO ABOUT MUSIC

Whether you’re into jazz, bluegrass, rock or country, there’s likely a music festival for you. Check out a few of this season’s highlights.

22 BASEBALL IS BACK!

After four long months of no baseball, the MLB is back in action with spring training.

24 PARK IT

No matter where you are in the county, there’s a park that’s waiting to be explored.

CRAVE

32 GROUND TO GLASS

From tours and tastings to dining opportunities and an abundance of events, Keel Farm is well worth the day trip.

36 BITE-SIZED BITS

Restaurant news and foodie fun to keep your palate up to date.

DOZENS OF PERFORMERS WILL TAKE TO THE STAGE THIS YEAR, INCLUDING STEEP CANYON RANGERS, JIM LAUDERDALE, THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS FEATURING MOLLY TUTTLE, SAM BUSH AND MORE.

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR

MARCH 2-19

Ocala Civic Theatre presents Outside Mullingar, a charming romance set in rural Ireland in modern times. The quirky tale of two never-married, middle-aged mis ts whose love-hate relationship goes back to childhood, performances will take place Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for kids 18 and under. ocalacivictheatre.com

2 OCALA SHOW BIG RV

MARCH 2-5

In the market for a new RV? Just dreaming of your next camping trip? The Florida RV Trade Association is bringing the Ocala Big RV Show to the Florida Horse Park March 2-5. With 10 RV dealerships participating, concessions and giveaways, you’re sure to nd the new camper of your dreams. Admission is $5 per adult, and kids under 16 get in free. The event takes place 9am5pm Thursday-Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. Learn more at frvta.org/show/ocala-rvshow

SANTOS FAT TIRE FESTIVAL

MARCH 9-12

Florida’s most epic bike event of the year takes place at Ocala’s Santos Trailhead. The festival features the Epic 50 Ride on Saturday, camping at the adjacent Santos Campground, a huge vendor village with bike booths and food trucks, and skills clinics. santosfattire.com

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

5

PARADE OF SENIOR SERVICES MARCH 17

The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the Parade of Senior Services Information Fair from 10am-2pm at the College of Central Florida Klein Conference Center. The event showcases non-pro t agencies that provide a variety of social, health and education services to the senior citizens of Marion County and surrounding areas. This event is free to attend for adults ages 50 and over. For more information, call (352) 368-5517.

IMPROVEMENT EXPO HOME MARCH 11

Looking to make improvements to your home? Come ask the experts! A variety of experienced home improvement professionals will be on hand to o er suggestions on how to make simple changes that will not only update your home’s appearance but also increase its value. The free event takes place from 9am-1pm at Circle Square Cultural Center. For more info, call (352) 854-8707 ext. 7533.

SOUTHEASTERN PRO RODEO MARCH 17-18

Get ready for two jam-packed performances lled with exciting competition in steer wrestling, barrel racing and the most dangerous eight seconds in any sport, bull riding. Performances begin at 7:30pm, gates open at 5:30pm. For tickets and information, visit ocalarodeo.com

BATTLE OF THE BRUSHES: 2 MARCH 18

Returning Champ Mel Fiorentino and runner up Battle of the Brush Artists Teddy Sykes and Jordan Shapot will be back to compete for the title against six all-new artists. The event will feature live music, free beer and wine, the opportunity to vote for your favorite piece, and raises money for the Marion Cultural Alliance and Magnolia Art Xchange. Learn more at 8thavegallery.com

OCALA OPEN MARCH 21-24

Candler Hills Golf Club will host the 17th annual Ocala Open Professional Tournament March 22-24, with a charity pro-am on March 21. Parking and admission are free for spectators. VIP tickets are available for purchase. Learn how to sign up for the charity pro-am and see the schedule of events at ocalaopen.com

ST. PATRICK’S DAY BLOCK PARTY MARCH 17

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day blockparty style in front of Exposition Center 1 at the World Equestrian Center from 5-10pm. Presented by the Yellow Pony Pub & Garden, shamrock out to the live music, jig along with the Irish dancers and sample traditional beer and fare from the Emerald Isle. General and VIP tickets available. Purchase tickets at showclix.com/ event/2023-st-patrick-s-day.

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES –AN EXPO FOR ACTIVE SENIORS MARCH 22

The Senior Resource Foundation of Ocala is proud to present this event at the College of Central Florida Ewers Century Center from 10am-2pm. This free event will explore activities for seniors like scuba diving, bowling, archery and more. Proceeds bene t the Boys and Girls Clubs of Marion County. Find out more at srfofocala.org

Southeastern Pro Rodeo photo by Tanya Kozlovsky, KOFEstudio; Battle of the Brush photo by Dave Miller

& MORE 03.23

NICE LADIES NIGHT MARKET MARCH 1

The Nice Ladies networking group is hosting its 2nd annual Night Market at the Ocala Downtown Market from 5-9pm. Over 26 vendors will be attending, from boutiques and artists to local services and non-pro ts. Beer, wine and co ee and food trucks available at the market. Find the event on Facebook.

by Swing Theory. Attendees will enjoy free activities with a 1940s twist with local arts organizations providing free, hands-on art activities. This event is free, and guests are encouraged to bring their chairs. Find out more at ocala .org/artwalk

INSPIRE GALA

MARCH 3

The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County will host its inaugural Inspire Gala to honor members of the community for their e orts to create change and leave a lasting impact. The event takes pace from 7:30-9:30pm at the Hilton Churchhill Ballroom in Ocala, with the cocktail hour beginning at 6pm. Tickets are $150. ocalafoundation.org

WILD HORSE TAMING

MARCH 3-5

and neglected children in our community. The event will take place at the World Equestrian Center from 7-11pm. Tickets are $100 each or two for $150 if purchased online in advance. Enjoy a variety of casino games, bid on fabulous prizes and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres. kidscentralinc.org

MEDAL MADNESS SAINT PATRICK 5K & 10K

MARCH 4

The race takes place at the Baseline Road Trailhead. All runners must register on RunSignup. Every nisher will select one of the medal madness nisher medals. Participants who nish rst will have the rst pick of the nisher medals. The race starts at 7:30am. Packet pickup starts 30 minutes before the race. runsignup.com

UNMASKED: MASQUERADE SOIRÉE AT THE BRICK MARCH

4

Join Marion Cultural Alliance for a Masquerade Soirée at The Brick from 6-9pm, celebrating the alluring art of local artist Lisa Russo. Guests will enjoy live music, exquisite dancing, catered hors d’oeuvres and wine or beverages (included). Masquerade masks and evening wear encouraged, with a prize for the best masquerade mask. Tickets are $30 for MCA members and $35 for general admission. mcaocala.org

OCALA GEEK FEST! MARCH

5

FLORIDA MASTER GARDENER PLANT CLINIC MARCH

2

This class is free and open to the public and begins at 10am. UF/ IFAS and Florida Master Gardener will o er this monthly class at the Marion Oaks Recreation & Fitness Center. Learn about all things Florida/Marion County planting. Come ready with your questions, and feel free to bring any seedlings you would like to share with others. Find the event on Facebook.

RETRO SOUNDS AT FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK MARCH 3

First Friday Art Walk will feature Retro Sounds from 6-9pm in downtown Ocala. Retro Sounds, a music and art event will celebrate the 1940s, the era of big bands, victory rolls and dance halls. The evening will begin with an instructed, swing dance class on the square from 6-7pm and then continue with a performance

Parelli Natural Horsemanship is celebrating 41 years of teaching the Parelli Method with a live, three-day event at the World Equestrian Center. Daily run times are 9am-4:30pm. Doors open at 8am. The mornings will consist of wild horse tamings with Pat Parelli. Afternoons will consist of demonstrations on the taming methods. parelli.com

ALL FOR THE HORSES EXPO

MARCH 3-5

This all-equine industry tradeshow will be held concurrently with the ninth week of the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series and will feature a carefully curated collection of vendors from across the equine industry. The event takes place from 9am-6pm each day. worldequestriancenter.com

KIDS CENTRAL CASINO ROYALE: HAVANA NIGHTS

MARCH 3

Enjoy a fun- lled evening of cool casino action bene ting abused

10TH ANNUAL SUPERHERO FUN WALK

MARCH 4

Outreach Autism Services Network is hosting this fun walk at the Baseline Road Trailhead from 10am-1pm. Dress up as your favorite superhero, and enjoy live music, games, ra es and vendors. OASN is a non-pro t organization that provides low-cost social and academic programs, no-cost referrals and support to individuals on the spectrum for autism and related neuro immune disorders. oasn.info

FREE FIRST SATURDAY + GALLERY TOURS

MARCH 4

Visit the Appleton Museum from 10am-5pm for Free First Saturday! Enjoy free admission all day to see the permanent collection, special exhibitions or to make art in the Artspace. At 11am and 2pm, artist Hiromi Mizugai Moneyhun will give a tour of her solo exhibition Paper Thin & Shadow Deep appletonmuseum.org

From the people who brought you the Ocala Oddities Market, it’s the Ocala Geek Fest, a collectors market. From 12-5pm at the Ocala Downtown Market, browse comics, cards, collectibles, table top games, anime, Disney, Marvel, DC and much more. There will be over 75 vendors, food trucks, cosplay contests, a DJ and live entertainment. Admission is free. Find the event on Facebook.

CIRCLE SQUARE CULTURAL CENTER BACKSTAGE TOUR MARCH

7

Master the Possibilities is proud to o er a backstage tour of Circle Square Cultural Center. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the “green” rooms where performers do makeup and costuming, the front of the house and backstage equipment. Learn about the ticketing system and how shows are selected. Tour takes place from 12-1:30pm and is $3 for members and $8 for non-members.

masterthepossibilities.org

ART 101: FLORIDA LANDSCAPE PAINTING

MARCH 14

Join us at the Appleton Museum for a three-hour Art 101 acrylic

painting workshop focusing on Florida landscapes. All materials are provided, and all skill levels are welcome. The cost is $50 for Appleton members and $75 for non-members. Class takes place from 10am-1pm. Register online. appletonmuseum.org

SPRING POP UP SHOP MARCH 16

Join over 11 shops for a Pop Up Shop & Botox event from 2-8pm. Now’s the time to shop for the spring season, so bring your friends and join in on a fun afternoon lled with shopping and Botox. The event will happen at 209 SE 15th Avenue in Ocala. Find the event on Facebook for details.

LUNCH WITH THE ARCHAEOLOGIST MARCH 16

Bring a lawn chair, pack a lunch and join Ocala Recreation and Parks under the gathering chickee for Lunch with the Archaeologist. Gary Ellis, director emeritus from the Gulf Archaeology Research Institute, will be talking about Fort King, artifacts found on-site and local history. The event takes place at Fort King National Historic Landmark and Visitor Center from 11am-1pm. ocala .org/recpark

L.E.A.F SERIES “WEED SCIENCE” MARCH 17

Learn the principles of weed management and weed identi cation with Agriculture & Natural Resource Agent and Certi ed Arborist Maxine Hunter from the UF/IFAS. Held at Sholom Park at 10:30am, discover the value and bene ts weeds have on our ecosystem with Weed Science. $5 registration fee. sholompark.org

THE SMURFS GREAT ESCAPE OCALA MARCH

18

Looking for an exciting adventure

with your family and friends? Save the Smurfs from the evil wizard Gargamel at this immersive new escape room-style experience. From 9am-5pm Ocala will be transformed into a unique outdoor scavenger hunt. Solve puzzles, complete challenges and join hundreds of other teams as you race against the clock to save the Smurfs. cluedupp. com/products/smurfs-ocala

FLORIDA HISTORY & TRUTHS

MARCH 22

Master the Possibilities will host two classes on this date: Unconquered: The Seminole Tribe of Florida from 10-11:30am and The Florida Spectacular: Here’s What Makes Florida a State to be Thankful For. Each class is $13 per class for the general public and $8 for members. Learn more and register at masterthepossibilities.org.

DATE NIGHT AT THE DISCOVERY CENTER: PLANTASTIC!

MARCH 24

Explore the Discovery Center’s newest exhibit, Plantastic, after hours. Partake in hands-on science activities while enjoying light refreshments. Whether you’re on a date or just two friends out on the town, this will be a memorable experience to share together. Must be 18 years or older to attend. The event takes place from 6:30-9pm. Purchase tickets on eventbrite.com.

OMCHC CORNHOLE FUNDRAISER

MARCH 25

Join Ocala-Marion County Hospitality Council for the 2nd Annual Cornhole Fundraiser at the Reilly Arts Center at 10am. There will be a competitive and a backyard division. This is a familyfriendly event with food trucks, live music and beer garden. A portion of the proceeds will bene t the Marion County Children’s Alliance. To register, visit bit.ly/3HOwacH

DOWN FOR DONUTS MARCH 25

Down For Donuts is a charity tness competition held at CrossFit Iron Legion in Ocala bene tting GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down syndrome center. Suitable for any level of athlete or ability, there are individual and co-ed teams. The event will also feature silent auctions and donuts and co ee from local businesses and takes place from 8am-5pm. down-for-donuts.com

MT. CALVARY GOSPELFEST MARCH 25

The second annual Mt. Calvary GospelFest will be held from 12-6pm at 5000 SW College Road in Ocala on the lawn under the oak trees directly in front of the historic church. The day features musical acts, homestyle foods, children’s activities and an open mic. Attendees should bring their own pop-up tents, chairs and refreshments. For more information, call at (352) 286-3170.

KNOWING YOUR WILD NEIGHBORS: NATIVE PLANTS MARCH 25

Knowing Your Wild Neighbors is a three-part educational series brought to you by Rescuing Ocala Wildlife. Each walk introduces a di erent “wild neighbor”. At 10am, head to Ocala Wetland Recharge Park for a guided native plant tour led by Amanda Marek of UF/IFAS Marion County Extension. This event is for all ages and experience levels and is free to attend, but donations are encouraged. rowildlife.org

“ART FOR ANIMALS” TATTOO CHARITY EVENT MARCH 25

The 8th annual “Art For Animals” tattoo charity event will take place from 12-9pm at Fist City Tattoo. The event is rst come, rst serve, and

BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING SLOW ABOUT OCALA & MARION COUNTY

pre-selected ash designs start at $50. 100 percent of the shop’s proceeds goes to the Humane Society of Marion County. The event also includes ra es, giveaways and food trucks.

2023 CF STUDENT ART EXHIBITION OPENING RECEPTION MARCH 29

The College of Central Florida will showcase the talent of its Visual Arts and Digital Media students in the 2023 CF Student Art Exhibition on view March 27-May 4. This annual tradition provides students with an opportunity to present their work in a professional environment. The Webber Gallery invites the public to an opening reception on March 29 from 12:30-1:30pm. Light refreshments will also be served. Admission is free. cf.edu/community/arts/webber

BRAIN FAIR MARCH 29

Join Master the Possibilities for this fun- lled, giant circuit of brain games and activities. A key element of optimal brain aging is to engage in novel stimulation. The Brain Fair will provide a host of challenges, including cognitive, sensory, motor skill and lateral thinking. The event is $3 for members and $8 for the general public and takes place from 1-3pm at Circle Square Cultural Center. masterthepossibilities.org

SPRING MAGNOLIA JUNKIN’ MARKET MARCH 31-APRIL 1

Join Two Sisters Vintage from 8am-3pm for the spring Magnolia Junkin’ Market, featuring 50 plus vendors, food trucks and plenty of fun. Vendors will sell vintage, antique, junque and craft items. This free event will be held at Two Sister Vintage, located at 540 NE 14th Street, Ocala. Find the event on Facebook.

TICKETS PLEASE

LOCAL LIVE &

CHURCH OF CASH

MARCH 11 | REILLY ARTS CENTER

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

UKULELE MASTER JAKE SHIMABUKURO

REILLY ARTS CENTER

The Reilly Arts Center presents “the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele,” Jake Shimabukuro at 7:30pm in the NOMA Black Box. Over the past two decades, Jake Shimabukuro has proven there isn’t a style of music he can’t play—whether it’s jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, folk or even classical—on perhaps the unlikeliest of instruments: the ukulele. Worldrenowned bassist Jackson Waldho will join Jake for an evening of incredible music. Tickets are $40 for general admission and $260 for a VIP table. For additional information, visit reillyartscenter.com

HEAR HERE

MIRANDA MADISON

MARCH 3

THE CORKSCREW OCALA

PIG PEN, RATH & THE WISE GUYS, LOVE SONGS FOR JUNKIES

MARCH 11

MUTINY OCALA

THE MUDDS

MARCH 11

LA CUISINE FRENCH RESTAURANT

HOUSTON KEEN

MARCH 12

EATON’S BEACH

TORN

MARCH 17

100 PROOF SALOON

LIVE EFFECT

MARCH 18

CIRCLE SQUARE COMMONS

BRANDON DULL

MARCH 19

THE CRAZY CUCUMBER EATERY & BAR

ECLIFF

MARCH 25

THE JUNIPER GENERAL STORE

CLIFF DORSEY

MARCH 29

YELLOW PONY

SANDRA & ALEX LEKID

MARCH 31

YELLOW PONY

LITTLE RIVER BAND

APRIL 14

HARD ROCK LIVE ORLANDO

SHINEDOWN

APRIL 15

AMWAY CENTER, ORLANDO

ALABAMA

APRIL 27

SEMINOLE HARD

ROCK TAMPA

THE KILLERS

MAY 8

ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE

HANK WILLIAMS JR.

MAY 19

MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION

AMPHITHEATRE AT THE FL STATE FAIRGROUNDS, TAMPA

ED SHEERAN

MAY 20

RAYMOND JAMES

STADIUM, TAMPA

STEVIE NICKS

MAY 25

AMWAY CENTER, ORLANDO

BROOKS & DUNN

JUNE 10

AMWAY CENTER, ORLANDO

MATCHBOX TWENTY

JULY 5

DAILY’S PLACE, JACKSONVILLE

BEYONCÉ

AUGUST 16

RAYMOND JAMES

STADIUM, TAMPA

The Church of Cash will bring Johnny Cash’s music, with style and energy, to fans everywhere, matching the loyalty to the song and the message that Johnny left to all of us.

THE SPINNERS

MARCH 18 | CIRCLE SQUARE CULTURAL CENTER

Timeless in a way that few other acts today are, The Spinners are one of the most iconic and enduring groups in R&B history.

THE

KINGSTON TRIO

MARCH 26 | ORANGE BLOSSOM OPRY

Fans of legendary folk icons

The Kingston Trio now have an opportunity to re-discover their timeless music as part of the national “Keep the Music Playing” tour, which celebrates the group’s more than 60 years of entertaining audiences.

TITANS OF ROCK, A TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY AND BON JOVI

APRIL 22 | REILLY ARTS CENTER

Wind-FM is Rockin’ the Reilly with two great concerts and playing all the hits of Journey and Bon Jovi in one amazing night.

SARA EVANS

MAY 6 | THE SHARON L. MORSE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Sara Evans is about to put smiles on a lot of faces with the release of Copy That. The 13-song collection nds Evans putting her distinctive creative stamp on some of the most iconic songs in country and pop.

Photo courtesy of Reilly Arts Center

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?

MARION THEATRE PLAYS HOST TO DOCUMENTARY FILM PREMIERE ABOUT MAGIC, THE MINIATURE THERAPY HORSE.

RONALD W. WETHERINGTON, SOCIAL EDITOR

It’s not every day that a miniature horse arrives in a tuxedo to the Marion Theatre in downtown Ocala. It’s even better when he arrives in a limousine with a police escort. The occasion was the documentary lm premiere of Hero Horse: A Magical True Story. Magic is a Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horse who stands 2 feet tall and has beautiful blue eyes. And, yes, Magic is house trained. At the lm premiere’s pre-party, there was even a special drink called “Remember the Magic,” which was black and white just like the miniature horse. The Marion Theatre pulled out all the stops for a fun- lled evening for Magic enthusiasts.

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses is an award-winning non-pro t charity that celebrated 25 years of service as of 2022. Even though the horses such as Magic travel to nursing homes, hospitals and emergency sites throughout the country, most of the work they do is with children and adults right here in North Central Florida. The horses provide a valuable service of comfort and smiles as children and patients hug and pet the miniature horses who come to comfort in times of need.

Little hero horse Magic was on the team called in to comfort survivors and rst responders of the mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, as well as at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Magic helped the tornado survivors of Moore, Oklahoma, victims of the res in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and countless other situations where care and comfort were needed. No wonder Magic has been showered with awards and even visited Congress in Washington, D.C.

Because Ocala is the “Horse Capital of the World,” it is highly appropriate and very tting that we have such a local hero as miniature horse Magic in our community. To make a donation and support Magic and the service work of the other Gentle Carousel horses, visit gentlecarouseltherapyhorses.com or call (352) 226-9009.

JORGE GARCIA-BENGOCHEA & MAGIC

ANGIE RAY & LEWIS STOKES

JOEL BOCKORAR, ERIN FREEL & NICK BLASER

TOMMI CHAPPELC, KATHLENE LAMORTE, BETTY BRUMBAUGH & PAMELA FREEMAN

GENTLE CAROUSEL MINIATURE THERAPY HORSES IS AN AWARD-WINNING NON-PROFIT CHARITY THAT CELEBRATED 25 YEARS OF SERVICE AS OF 2022.

KIM SMITH, DEBBIE GARCIA & BETSY BEBACQUA

MARY O’NEIL, JENNIFER & KARRIGAN MCGRAW

KAREN PETERSON & KATHY HUNTER

GARY & PAULINE HARTOGH

PHILIP & MIREILLE DOFFEGNIES

LOUISA BARTON, DANCIN PETE RODDA & OLIVIA FULLER

JANE PASS & JASON REYNOLDS

REACHING FOR THE STARS

THE NORTH STAR BOYS IS AN ASIAN AMERICAN POP GROUP THAT’S TAKING THE INTERNET BY STORM. AND ITS FOUNDING MEMBERS, OLIVER AND SEBASTIAN MOY, CALL OCALA HOME.

WRITTEN BY KARIN FABRY-CUSHENBERY

Oliver and Sebastian Moy know what it takes to make their dreams come true. The brothers, who hail from Ocala and attended Forest High School, created the seven-member Asian American music group North Star Boys. As youngsters, they sang at Meadowbrook Church and worked with a local talent agency securing commercials and performances. To say they’ve come a long way is an understatement.

“The concept of NSB had been an idea for four years,” says Oliver, 22. “Once our core group came together, we decided to take the leap. We couldn’t promise success, but we do have a shared goal to act as an inspiration to other minorities all over America and beyond.” And, so far, they are doing just that.

NSB is about to embark on its rst North American tour, a 25-city trek across the country that includes a stop in Orlando and one in Tampa. But it was a moment in New York City that had the boys realizing they were on their way to making it.

“Our rst debut single was dropping soon, and we decided as a group to travel from LA to NYC,” recalls Oliver. “We hosted a meet and greet in Times Square for our fans and gave them 24 hours notice. We were shocked to nd the biggest crowd had gathered. We had to jump on cars to avoid the crowd, and police were called in. It was a mess, but it was a beautiful mess. We realized we were making an impact.”

The name North Star Boys originated from advice given to the Moy brothers by their mom, Natalia.

“She is always telling all us boys to go after our goals and to follow our north star,” Oliver says. “The idea is to have a goal and reverse

engineer it to make it happen. That’s what NSB is. It was all of us coming together and focusing on our goals to make them happen. I loved the name so much; it was a no-brainer.”

Oliver is the resident songwriter and has amassed a catalog of nearly 400 titles.

“In 2020 I learned the craft of making music,” says Oliver. “I downloaded a program and taught myself how to engineer and produce music. What encourages me is showing my friends and getting their input, good or bad, on the songs I create. Music is a craft, an artwork, and I want to improve.”

NSB, whose members range in age from 19 to 23, has recorded several of those songs, including “Sunshine” and “You Are My Star.” A mini-EP album, Panic, has been released, and fans are loving it—if the boys’ social media numbers are any indication. NSB’s music can be found on all major streaming platforms, and tickets are currently available for their tour.

The Moy brothers travel the world these days, from Korea to Los Angeles to many stops

in between, but Ocala is always home base. And whether they are playing basketball or meeting with friends at the Ale House, Oliver and Sebastian, 20, make the most of their time here.

“I really do enjoy Ocala,” says Oliver. “My family is here, and I like to visit as much as possible. It’s relaxing and peaceful, and I feel like I can breathe when I come back home.”

For now, though, Oliver and the rest of the guys just want everyone to check out their music on YouTube and take in their show.

“We have been preparing for this tour for a year,” says Oliver. “We are excited to be able to share our music and our lives with our fans. We’re going to dance together and talk, sing and have a great time. It’s not just a show, it’s a North Star Boys experience.”

NORTH STAR BOYS

Visit northstarboys.com to hear the music and purchase merch and concert tickets.

March 29 Orlando, The Social

March 30 Tampa, Crowbar

Photos courtesy of North Star Boys

Providing

OCOEE MUSIC FESTIVAL

MARCH 10-11 | OCOEE, FL

This two-day free festival brings nationally known acts to Central Florida. Performances begin at 5pm, and Fridays performances include Night Ranger, The Mavericks, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. On Saturday, Chris Janson, Niko Moon, Chapel Hart, Walker Montgomery and Mark Houghton will take the stage. The festival has been going strong for 28 years and also includes carnival rides, festival food, a car show, beer garden, a marketplace and more. For details, visit ocoeemusicfestival.com

WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE

MAY 18-21 | DAYTONA, FL

Dozens of rock acts will perform during this four-day event at the Daytona International Speedway, including both local and national bands. Some headliners will include Slipknot, Rob Zombie, Evanescence, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice Cooper, Godsmack, Tool, Deftones, Incubus, Alice Cooper and many more. Jose “Metal Ambassador” Mangin is the o cial emcee of the event. Tent and RV camping opportunities are available for this event, and details can be found at welcometorockville.com

SARASOTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

MARCH 13-18 | SARASOTA, FL

MUCH ADO ABOUT MUSIC

IT’S SPRING IN FLORIDA, AND THAT MEANS FLIP-FLOPS, SUNSHINE AND LIVE MUSIC. WHETHER YOU’RE INTO JAZZ, BLUEGRASS, ROCK OR COUNTRY, THERE’S LIKELY A MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR YOU. CHECK OUT A FEW OF THIS SEASON’S HIGHLIGHTS.

WRITTEN & COMPILED BY KARIN FABRY-CUSHENBERY

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

MARCH 2-12 | PLANT CITY, FL

In addition to fun rides, tasty food and tons of vendors, the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City is known for its outstanding music performances. This year’s concerts include highlights such as The Oak Ridge Boys’ Front Porch Singin’ Tour and Walker Hayes on March 2, Sara Evans and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges on March 4, the Gatlin Brothers and Chris Young on March 5, Neal McCoy and Josh Turner on March 6, CeCe Winans and the Roots & Boots performances on March 7, the Pointer Sisters on March 8, Wayne Newton and Train March 10 and so much more. A complete schedule of events can be found at strawberryfestival.com.

Produced by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, the Sarasota Jazz Festival includes a renowned lineup of jazz greats, including Lizz Wright, the Christian Sands Trio, Marcus Miller, Allen Carmen Project—Gumbi Ortiz, Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Paquito D’Rivera and so much more. Main stage performances will take place Wednesday through Saturday from 6-9:15pm, and the late night open jam takes place Friday and Saturday from 9:30pm to midnight. The week-long celebration of jazz will also include several film events, including The Benny Goodman Story and Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool . For a complete listing of scheduled events and ticket information, visit sarasotajazzfestival.com .

REGGAE RISE UP 2023

MARCH 16-19 | ST. PETERSBURG, FL

Vinoy Park will come to life with the sounds of reggae music during this weekend festival. The 2023 festival lineup includes Dirty Heads, Wiz Khalifa, Rebelution, Koffee, 311, Dispatch, Sublime with Rome and more. The event will also feature many support acts throughout the festival. Other activities include more than 100 craft and food vendors, food and beverage vendors, large-

Photo courtesy of

Welcome To Rockville

attentive to their needs is what sets us apart from other area options

attentive to their needs is what sets us apart from other area options.

As we celebrate 20 years in Central Florida, Mainstreet Community Bank is the benchmark of community banking and stands ready to help your business grow!

As we celebrate 20 years in Central Florida, Mainstreet Community Bank is the benchmark of community banking and stands ready to help your business grow!

scale art installations, interactive activities and more. Tickets can be purchased at reggaeriseup.com

SUWANEE SPRING REUNION 2023 MARCH 23-26 | LIVE OAK, FL

The Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park in Live Oak plays host to this annual celebration of bluegrass and string music. Dozens of performers will take to the stage this year, including Steep Canyon Rangers, Jim Lauderdale, The Infamous Stringdusters featuring Molly Tuttle, Sam Bush and more. Additional activities include daily yoga, food and craft vendors, music workshops, Slopryland, kid’s activities and the Bill Monroe Shrine. Tickets and more information can be found at suwanneespringreunion.com

INNINGS FESTIVAL

MARCH 18-19 | TAMPA, FL

If you love music and baseball, don’t miss this unique festival. The event features three stages of rock, pop and alternative artists performing their greatest hits, plus special appearances from baseball legends, including John Kruk, Cecil Fielder, Wade Boggs, Goose Gossage, Ray Lankford and more. The festival also includes culinary delights and the Florida Grapefruit League’s Spring Training Experience. Headlining performers include Weezer, Pitbull and Imagine Dragons on Saturday and The Avett Brothers, Marcus Mumford and the Dave Matthews Band on Sunday. More info and ticket details can be found at inningsfestival.com

MUSIC FEST ORLANDO

MARCH 25 | ORLANDO, FL

A one-day music fest featuring Fantasia, Babyface, Goodie Mob, 69 Boyz, Levelle, Plies, JT Money, Lyfe Jennings and more. This outdoor festival is hosted by Rickey Smiley and celebrates a variety of musical genres, from hip-hop and rap to R&B. Through the HBCU Initiative, the festival offers an educational assistance platform for local students who are looking to further their education. The event takes place at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, and more information can be found at musicfestorlando.com .

RESONATE SUWANEE

MARCH 30-APRIL 1 | LIVE OAK, FL

Visit the Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park to take part in this unique three-day music and art festival. Acts will include Lettuce, Lawrence, Emancipator, The Floozies and many more. Event details may be found at resonatesuwannee.com.

TAMPA BAY BLUES FESTIVAL

APRIL 14-16 | TAMPA, FL

This celebration of blues music will once again return to the stages of Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg. Performers include Tower of Power, Robert Cray, Vanessa Collier, Larry McCray, Chris Cain, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and more. Doors on Thursday at the Palladium open at 7pm. Gates open around noon on Friday and Saturday and 12:30pm on Sunday. Options include VIP packages, kick-o party packages and even after show events. Visit tampabaybluesfest.com for more information.

98 ROCKFEST 2023

APRIL 21 | ORLANDO, FL

Breaking Benjamin, Falling in Reverse, The Pretty Reckless, Beartooth and more will take to the stage at the Amalie Arena during this oneday-only music festival. Tickets start at $35, and VIP experience passes and upgrade tickets are available. More information can be found at 98rock.iheart.com

JACKSONVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL 2023

MAY 25-28 | JACKSONVILLE, FL

This annual festival lls the streets of downtown

Jacksonville with the sounds of smooth jazz, just bring your lawn chair and wear a pair of comfortable shoes. The event is free; however, a variety of VIP experiences are available for a ticketed price. The event also includes the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition on May 25 at the Florida Theatre. Doors for this free event open at 6pm, and the competition begins at 7pm. Keep up with the event at jacksonvillejazzfest.com

FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL

MAY 26-28 | WHITE SPRINGS, FL

The 71st annual Florida Folk Festival will take place at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs over Memorial Day weekend. This festival is a celebration of all things Florida, including dance, stories, crafts, food and more. The event will include more than 300 performances, including everything from Irish fiddle tunes to contra dancing. The festival has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a “Top 20 Event” in the Southeast United States. Visit floridastateparks.org for more details.

Photo courtesy of Suwanee Spring Reunion

Suwanee Spring Reunion

On View Through April 9

THE SHAPE OF THINGS Op Art & Geometric Abstraction

Detail of Richard Anuszkiewicz (American, 1930-2020), “New Glory,” 1975, Serigraph on paper, 26 x 19 ½ in.

BASEBALL IS BACK!

AFTER FOUR LONG MONTHS OF NO BASEBALL, THE MLB IS BACK IN ACTION WITH SPRING TRAINING. AND CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA ARE WHERE YOU’LL FIND MUCH OF THE ACTION WITH FLORIDA’S GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE. PLAN A WEEKEND TRIP, AND TAKE IN A FEW GAMES. COMPLETE SCHEDULES AND TICKET INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE TEAM’S WEBSITES.

COMPILED BY KARIN FABRY-CUSHENBERY

NEW YORK YANKEES

GEORGE

ATLANTA BRAVES

DETROIT TIGERS

PUBLIX FIELD AT JOKER MERCHANT STADIUM, LAKELAND TIGERS.COM/SPRINGTRAINING

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

DUNEDIN

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

NEW YORK METS

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

PARK IT

OCALA AND MARION COUNTY ARE FILLED WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING FAMILY-FRIENDLY PARKS. NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE COUNTY, THERE’S A PARK THAT’S WAITING TO BE EXPLORED.

COMPILED BY KARIN FABRY-CUSHENBERY

FORT KING NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK

3925 E FORT KING ST., OCALA

Educational opportunities, wooded walking trails, historical sites

SILVER SPRINGS CONSERVATION AREA

5415 NE 7TH ST., OCALA

330 acres of walking trails that cover sandhill, upland mixed forest and wet prairie ecosystems

SOUTHEAST

BASELINE

TRAILHEAD PARK

4255 SE 58TH AVE., OCALA

SOUTHWEST

LIBERTY COMMUNITY PARK

10575 SW 57TH TER. RD., OCALA

Fun playground equipment, open elds for play, hiking trails

SCOTT SPRINGS PARK

2825 SW 24TH AVE., OCALA

Bike skills trail, cave, cool playground, springs with overlook

KP HOLE PARK

9435 SW 190TH AVE. RD., DUNNELLON

Tubing and canoeing opportunities, picnic and concessions, plus swimming

NORTHWEST

OCALA WETLAND

RECHARGE PARK

2105 NW 21ST ST., OCALA

60-acre site with educational exhibits and kiosks, boardwalks, 2.5 miles of paved trails and wildlife overlooks

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. RECREATION COMPLEX

1510 NW FOURTH ST., OCALA

Swimming pool, racquetball, sports elds, walking trails

LILLIAN F. BRYANT PARK

2200 NW 17TH PL., OCALA

Kiddie splash pad, playground, sports elds, picnic opportunities, walking trails

FLEMINGTON COMMUNITY PARK

18200 N HWY 318, REDDICK

Quiet park with playground, tennis, walking trails and sports elds

NORTHEAST

COEHADJOE PARK

4225 NE 35TH ST., OCALA

A new kiddie zipline is coming soon, plus the playground is awesome.

Large playground, clean bathrooms, miles of paved and unpaved trails, frisbee golf

BRICK CITY

ADVENTURE PARK

1211 SE 22ND RD., OCALA

Updated playground, a complete running track, plenty of shade

MARSHALL SWAMP TRAILHEAD

8282 SE HWY 314, OCALA

Three miles of wooded and swampland walking trails complete with footbridges.

HORSESHOE LAKE

PARKS & RETREAT

23532 NE 110TH AVE., FORT MCCOY

Rent a cabin, enjoy the playground and swim at the beach.

TUSCAWILLA PARK

829 NE SANCHEZ AVE., OCALA

Fishing (catch and release), a unique playground, art installments

JERVEY GANTT PARK

2200 SE 36TH AVE., OCALA

Community pool, open elds, dog park, fun playground, 2-mile tness course, sand volleyball

CLYATT PARK

1501 SE 17TH ST., OCALA

Unique playground equipment, basketball and tennis courts

SHOLOM PARK

7110 SW 80TH AVE., OCALA

Beautiful gardens and ponds, wildlife, two miles of trails

OCALA REGIONAL SPORTSPLEX

3500 SW 67TH AVE., OCALA

Lighted basketball and sand volleyball, a playground, huge open areas, picnic pavilions

Find additional city and county parks and recreation areas at ocala .org/recpark and parks.marion .org.

Ocala Wetland Recharge Park

Horseshoe Lake Parks & Retreat

Fort King National Historic Landmark

Sholom Park

Ocala Wetland Recharge Park image courtesy of City of Ocala; Horseshoe Lake image courtesy of ??; Fort King image by Ronald W. Wetherington; Sholom Park image courtesy of Sholom Park

Central Florida is blossoming with fun festivities this season.

Compiled by Melissa Peterson

Near and far, there’s plenty of fun to be had as springtime makes its debut. From food and gardening festivals to historical celebrations, here are some of our favorite spring events happening throughout the 352 and beyond.

Thundering Spirit Family Pow Wow

March 3-5

Head to Renninger’s in Mount Dora for traditional Native American culture, including drumming, dancing, storytelling, crafts and food. Don’t forget to bring chairs and/or blankets to sit on. Event takes place from 9am-10pm Friday and Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and $15 for a three-day pass. Children under 12 and active or retired service persons are free. thunderingspiritfamily.com

Florida Brewers Guild Craft Beer Festival

March 4

This event will take place from 2-5pm at Perry Harvey Sr. Park in downtown Tampa. Raise a glass to toast the success of Florida craft beer. Sample more than 300 beers from 80-plus Florida craft breweries while raising money for the Florida Brewers Guild, the nonprofit trade association committed to preserving the rights of craft brewers throughout the state. General admission is $45, VIP tickets are $65 and tickets at the gate are $50. All attendees will receive unlimited samples of Florida’s best craft beer and a commemorative tasting glass. This event is for adults 21+ up only; bring a valid ID. Designated drivers get in free. Food trucks will be on-site. floridabrewersguild.org

Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival

March 4

The Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival is once again coming to the McPherson Complex in Ocala. The festival begins at 9am with free admission and ends at 5 pm. Parking is $5, and proceeds bene t the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association and Habitat for Humanity of Marion County. The festival features over 230 vendors, a kids’ zone with a petting zoo, strawberry food items, a car show, a pie-eating contest, live entertainment, photo booths and a BMX show. The festival o ers fresh strawberries from Plant City. habitatocala.org/strawberry

Floral City Strawberry Festival

March 4-5

This annual event features live

entertainment, a kids’ area and tasty pie-eating contest, held both days. With strawberries being the star of the festival, hundreds of ats of strawberries made into delectable strawberry shortcakes for all to enjoy will be available, and ats of strawberries will be ready to take home. Parking is available at the Citrus County Auditorium, located at 3610 S Florida Avenue in Inverness. Free shuttles will be available to bring you directly to the gate entrance at Floral Park. The festival takes place from 9am-5pm on Saturday and 9am-4pm on Sunday. gostrawberryfest.com

Florida SpringsFest

March 4-5

The Florida SpringsFest will take place from 10am-4pm at Silver Springs State Park. Learn about Florida’s amazing springs, including history, science and sustainability, as well as fun,

music, food and friends, all for $2 park admission! Glass bottom boat rides will be available all weekend and are not included with park entry fee. On Saturday visit with mermaids. View the lm The Siren and the Springs Richard Kerns with Odyssey Earth will be narrating the lm at 10am, 12pm and 2pm both Saturday and Sunday, and a Q&A session will follow each showing. Find Florida SpringsFest on Facebook for more event details

Marion County Master Gardeners Spring Festival

March 11-12

Head to our area’s largest all-inone plant sale and garden expo, held at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion from 8am-5pm on Saturday and 9am-4pm on Sunday. The event features a kids’ zone, garden décor, a mobile plant clinic, seed board, food trucks, Florida-friendly

vendors, educational seminars and demonstrations, trees, native plants, owers and herbs for sale. Bring your own wagon to haul your plants around the pavilion. Admission is $3, and children under 12 and parking are free. sfyl.ifas.u .edu/marion

Santos Fat Tire Festival March 9-12

Florida’s most epic bike event of the year takes place at Ocala’s Santos Trailhead and is presented by the Ocala Mountain Bike Association in partnership with the Florida State Parks and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The festival features the Epic 50 Ride on Saturday, camping at the adjacent Santos Campground, a huge vendor village with bike booths and food trucks, and skills clinics. Proceeds from FTF bene t trail maintenance and building, safety patrol training and equipment. santosfattire.com

Ocala Veg Fest

March 12

Save the date for this fun and free outdoor annual food festival. This 100 percent vegan event will feature vendors, speakers and plantbased food for purchase. General admission is free, and the event takes place at the Ocala Downtown Market from 10am-3pm. Find the event on Facebook and get your free ticket on eventbrite.com.

Rainbow Springs Art Festival

March 18

The major fundraiser of the Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery, proceeds from the festival’s ra e help support the gallery’s two scholarships for graduating high school seniors. The festival is held on Pennsylvania Avenue and Cedar Street in downtown Dunnellon. Last year, 32 artists displayed their art during the festival, with

art ranging from detailed pencil sketches and intricately beaded bracelets to spring wreaths and paintings of farms, horses and owers. Food vendors and live entertainment will also be available. rainbowspringsart.com

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Spring Garden Festival

March 18-19

This festival is an annual celebration held at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens located in Gainesville. Featuring over 100 booths, including many where visitors can purchase a variety of plants, garden-related products and outdoor decorations, the event will also include food vendors, local live entertainers on Sunday and a children’s activity area where kids can pot plants and take part in craft projects. Many booths are sta ed by local gardening and environmental organizations, and there will also be a variety of ne arts and craft vendors. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 5-13. The event takes place from 9am-5pm both days, with no admission after 4:15. kanapaha.org

Mount Dora Spring Festival of Arts and Craft s

March 18-19

Stroll through more than 250 craft and arts exhibitors, all setup to sell their unique o erings on the streets of downtown Mount Dora. The event also o ers face-painting, wine tasting, food vendors and entertainment throughout the event. Beer, wine and cocktails can be purchased around the event area. The event takes place from 9am-5pm, and free shuttles run from 900 Lincoln Avenue. mountdoraspringfest.com

Marion County Day March 23

Marion County invites your family to attend this annual community festival, held from 10am-2pm at

Florida SpringsFest

the McPherson Complex in Ocala. The event celebrates Marion County’s history and showcases everything that makes Marion County great. Organizations from around the area will participate in telling Marion County’s story in a fun, informative and interactive way, and visitors will enjoy food, games and more, as well as free admission. marion .org

Festival Latino

March 25

Celebrating Latin culture with food and music for families, this event, held at Citizens’ Circle in downtown Ocala, features vendors, food trucks, artisans and crafters, and more. The event begins at 11am. Find the event on Facebook for more information

Williston Spring Fest

March 25

The Williston Chamber of Commerce is hosting a fun-filled, family-friendly day of strolling and enjoying arts and craft vendors, food vendors, local businesses, live music and a kids’ area. The event is free and held at Heritage Park from 11am-5pm. Find the event on Facebook for additional detail s.

Hogtown Craft Beer Festival

March 25

Held at the Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center, located at 210 SE 134th Avenue, in Micanopy, this event offers visitors a chance to sample beers from various local, regional and national breweries. In addition, some of the best local restaurants and caterers will have terrific cuisine available for purchase. Tickets are $59, or $400 for a VIP package for four. Designated driver tickets are just $5, and parking is free. Minors can attend as long as they are escorted by their parent. Leashed pets are also welcome. The event takes place from 12-6pm. hogtownbeerfest.com

Dunedin Highland Games & Festival

April 1

Celebrate the heritage and culture of Scotland with great music, dancing, athletics, good food, drinks and friends. Events include Scottish athletic games, pipe and drumming, Highland dancing and a Highland trail run. Fun for the wee ones includes sack races, games, arts and crafts, face-painting and balloon artist creations. The event takes place from 8am-7pm in the Dunedin Community Center. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult. VIP tickets are also available. dunedinhighlandgames.com

in downtown Newberry from 9am-4pm. The event will feature tons of craft and food vendors, live entertainment and shows, a food court and fun for the kiddos. newberrymainstreet.com

Santa Fe College Spring FestivalArts

April 1-2

Craft & Food Fest. Shop with 75 vendors, enjoy a variety of food trucks and take pictures with the Easter Bunny. Find the event on Facebook for more inf o.

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival

April

7-23

McIntosh Garden Show and Plant Sale

April 1

This event is held in Van Ness Park, located at 5835 Avenue G in McIntosh. Garden- and plantrelated vendors will bring a variety of plants, trees and owers to this annual event. Food and activities for children will be available, and drawings for garden items and décor will be held throughout the event. The McIntosh Seedlings Garden Club’s booth will feature herbs, shrubs, indoor plants, veggies, perennial plants, garden accessories and more. Handmade garden decorations, signs and artwork will also be for sale. mcintoshseedlings.com

Newberry Main Street Annual Spring Festival

April 1

The Newberry Main Street Annual Spring Festival will take place

After a three-year hiatus, Santa Fe College is excited for the return of its historic Spring Arts Festival. Founded in 1969, this Gainesville landmark will be hosted on the Northwest Campus of Santa Fe College. The festival will feature juried national artists, community artists and SF students, showcasing jewelry, sculptures, ceramics, fiber arts, glass, wood, photography, mixed media, oil and watercolor paintings, printmaking, graphics and digital art. Live performers, including music and dancers, will take the stage, and children and families will have an opportunity to play and learn with art-themed activities and events. The event takes place from 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. sfspringarts.org

Barberville Pioneer Settlement Spring Frolic

April 1-2

The Barberville Pioneer Settlement will host its Spring Frolic featuring hundreds of musicians on eight stages; workshops; jam tents; living history demonstrations from blacksmiths, spinners, weavers and craftsmen; storytelling and arts and craft vendors. The event takes place from 9am-6pm on Saturday and 9am-4pm on Sunday. General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. pioneersettlement.org/spring-frolic

Ocala Spring Craft & Food Fest

April 2

Head to Tuscawilla Park from 11am-4pm for the Ocala Spring

The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival stands out as one of the best sand sculpture festivals in Florida, with world-renowned sand artists entered to win the best in show with their crazy-cool sand creations. Head to Clearwater Beach and peruse the expansive 21,000-square-foot structure while the artists are at work creating their amazing sand sculptures. The event also features live music, reworks and sand-sculpting classes. sugarsandfestival.com

Brownwood Paddock Square Art & Craft Festival

April 8

The Art & Craft Festival at Brownwood in The Villages continues to grow and highlight the talents of many unique crafters, providing the area with one of its most enjoyable spring traditions. Come meet and visit with some of the nation’s best crafters while enjoying the charming streets of this spectacular community. Find great one-of-a-kind gifts and more while listening to live music as you peruse the displays. The event takes place from 10am5pm both days. Free admission. thevillagesentertainment.com

Farmland Preservation Festival

April 8

The festival promotes the importance of our farmlands by showcasing locally grown farm produce, locally made and crafted farm products and cottage crafts, farm animals and equipment, and agricultural exhibits and demonstrations. The festival features a tractor parade, farmers market, local food, musical and

Immaculate Tuscan-style o ce just blocks from downtown Ocala. Two separate individual oors with 2,400 sq. feet of space per oor that includes: waiting room, administrative reception area, conference room, break room, 2-restrooms plus 4 large o ces that can accommodate multiple desks or work stations. Elevator for secondoor access. Plenty of parking spaces. Property has been an incomeproducing rental. Building is wired for City of Ocala high-speed internet.

dancing entertainment, a petting zoo and a hayride. This free event takes place at Majestic Oaks Ocala, located at 17500 N US Hwy 441 in Reddick, from 9am-3pm. Find the event on Facebook for more information

Easter On The Farm

April 8

Mayhem Ranch will host its second annual Easter on the Farm event from 11am-5pm. Presale tickets are $12. Kids 2 and under are free. Tickets are $15 at the gate, if available. The event will feature live music, pictures with the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt at 1pm (separated by age groups), egg crafts, a hayride to feed the cows, a petting farm and nursery, pony rides for $5, a jump zone and slide, archery, games, a parakeet encounter for $5 and much more. mayhemranch .com

Dunnellon Boomtown Days

April 15

The Dunnellon Chamber & Business Association will host the 50th annual Boomtown Days from 9am5pm in the historic district at West Pennsylvania Avenue and Cedar Street. The event will feature craft and arts vendors, business displays, food vendors, a pie-eating contest and car show. dunnellonchamber. com/2023-boomtown-days

Spring Plant Sale

April 21-23

The Florida Museum of Natural History will host its spring plant sale, featuring more than 100 species of Florida- and pollinatorfriendly plants. Discover which pollinator species you can attract, and learn about the butter yfriendly plants that work best in your landscape. Accent, host, native and nectar plants are available for purchase, with proceeds bene ting the Butter y Rainforest exhibit. The event will take place at the UF Cultural Plaza in front of the Florida Museum from 10am-5pm on Friday and Saturday and 1-5pm on Sunday. oridamuseum.u .edu

The BlueberryVillages Festival

The CincoVillages de CelebrationMayo

May 5

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on the Spanish Springs Town Square from 5-9pm. This free event features food and drink vendors, live music and entertainers, and market vendors. thevillagesentertainment.com

Garden Show and Spring Festival

May 6-7

With tons of colorful plants, several beautiful cascading waterfalls and countless breathtaking views, Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens is the perfect spot to bring your family and friends. Enjoy live music throughout the day, and visit with vendors from all over Florida selling plants, arts and crafts, and food. The event takes place from 9:30am-5pm on Saturday and 9:30am-4pm on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-13 and free for kids 5 and under. cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com

Belleview

Founder’s Day

May 6

Brick City Beer & Wine Festival

April 8

The ninth annual Brick City Beer and Wine Festival, presented by the World Equestrian Center, will be held from 2-6pm at Citizens’ Circle at 151 SE Osceola Avenue in downtown Ocala. This annual event is hosted by the Ocala-Silver Springs Rotary Club and the Ocala-Sunset Rotary. Proceeds bene t Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion County Literacy Council and Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection. The event will feature 30+ breweries and wineries, food trucks, vendors and a kids’ suds saloon. Tickets start at $40 for general admission. VIP admission is also available. brickcitybeerandwinefest.com

April 21

This event will feature food and craft vendors, blueberry drink specials, live music and entertainment, and market vendors. This free event takes place from 4-9pm at the Brownwood Paddock Square. thevillagesentertainment.com

Brooksville Blueberry Festival

April 29-30

This annual festival is full of one-of-akind products, unique local artwork, gifts and decor from near and far, live entertainment and musicians, and a lot of blueberries. The event takes place from 10am-10pm on Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sunday on the downtown Brooksville square. brooksvilleblueberryfestival.com

The City of Belleview’s 2nd Annual Founder’s Day will take place at Lake Lillian from 10am-3pm. Event attendees can enjoy a variety of craft, business and food vendors. Free children’s activities include games, crafts and in atables as well as activities and booths focusing on the city’s history. belleview .org

Festivals of Speed

May 6

Over 200 exotic, classic and American muscle cars will be placed for display on the Grand Plaza of the World Equestrian Center, located at 1390 NW 80th Avenue in Ocala. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, McLaren and others will make for an incredible display. Enjoy on-site restaurants, bars, luxury brand retail stores and horse competitions. After the car show watch the

Kentucky Derby on massive 100foot jumbotrons right in the Grand Plaza, and after that enjoy a fabulous Arabian Horse competition in the Grand Arena. The event takes place from 11am-3pm. Admission is $20, and children 12 and under are free. festivalsofspeed.com

St. Pete Tacos & Tequila Festival

May 13-14

A huge two-day waterfront taco and tequila festival with great live music will take place in downtown St. Pete’s Vinoy Park. The event will feature live music, games, tacos and Mexican dishes from 30-plus food vendors, as well as craft cocktails, craft beers and spirit samplings. General admission is $9 through March 31. VIP tickets are also available for $39. Kids 13 and under are free. The event takes place from 12-8pm on Saturday and 1-8pm on Sunday. stpetetacos.com

Newberry Watermelon Festival

May 20

Now in its 78th year, come out for a day of family fun at Country Way Townsquare from 9am3:30pm. Don’t miss the Newberry Watermelon Festival Beauty Pageant or the Watermelon Parade and Golf Cart Competition. newberrywatermelonfestival.com

Palatka Blue Crab Festival

May 26-28

Get ready to throw your claws in the air over Memorial Day weekend for the annual Palatka Blue Crab Festival. This event features national headliners, full-day concert lineups of regional musicians, dozens of vendors and food trucks, activities and entertainment for all ages and a massive kids’ zone. The event takes place in downtown Palatka and along the scenic waterfront from 6-11pm on Friday, 9am-11pm on Saturday and 2-10pm on Sunday. palatkabluecrabfestival.com

blueberry wine in their rst completed batch, Keel & Curley Winery was born, and, the rest, as they say, is history.

These days Keel & Curley produces upward of 35,000 gallons of fruit-based wine, including blueberry wines and fruit fusion wines such as their black raspberry merlot, wild berry pinot noir, peach chardonnay, Key West key lime and watermelon blush. If you’re having trouble deciding, choose the Flight of 5 and sample several.

Have you heard of agrarian ale? Consider it a combination of handcrafted beer and farm-fresh ingredients, all made on-site in small batches at Keel & Curley. They are truly ground-to-glass creations.

YOU CAN DEFINITELY SPEND

HALF A DAY OR SO ENJOYING THE FARM. KEEL FARM IS A FRESH FARM EXPERIENCE WHERE YOU CAN IMMERSE YOURSELF IN FLORIDA’S AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS.

CHRISTY WALLEN, DIRECTOR OF HOSPITALITY

GROUND TO GLASS

FROM TOURS AND TASTINGS TO DINING OPPORTUNITIES AND AN ABUNDANCE OF EVENTS, KEEL FARM IS WELL WORTH THE DAY TRIP.

WRITTEN BY KARIN FABRY-CUSHENBERY

Keel Farm established itself as a plant nursery more than 40 years ago. Over time, the Keel’s introduced blueberries to their farm, and that was the catalyst for the experience and products the farm o ers today, including wine and agrarian ales and ciders.

Currently, the Plant City farm spans 30 acres and o ers a great selection of fruits, including strawberries, blueberries and peaches, plus a chef’s garden that consists of herbs, veggies and more. The farm is also home to grass-fed beef and pasture-raised chicken.

“We use our own crops when possible and source items like apples, that don’t grow well in Florida, from other farms. Everything though, from drinks to entrees, is made on property,” says Director of Hospitality Christy Wallen.

And the drinks are something to write home about.

It was the waste from blueberry season that compelled Joe Keel to try his hand at making wine. A blueberry may not be plump enough or round enough to be picked from the bush for consumption, but it’s perfect for creating a unique, tasty wine. With just 10 gallons of

“We have ve signatures that are always on tap,” Christy says. “Our Blueberry Mu n Wheat is a favorite, and for those who go for a lighter beer, the Sustain IPA is very popular. We also o er limited-time seasonal favorites and one-o selections that may be o ered once and then never again. We try to keep the o erings new and unique. Recent choices include a strawberry sour and strawberry wheat.”

The bar also o ers agrarian cider. This alcoholic apple juice is created from Gala apples grown in upstate New York and blended with local fruits and ingredients to create unique avors. Christy says the elderberry and strawberry lime ciders are two great selections.

You can keep up with the farm’s social media pages for updates on upcoming o erings. In the meantime, though, Christy has a suggestion.

“You’re going to want to visit and do our newest tour, the Keel Farms Experience tour,” she says. “The 45-minute tour includes a trolley ride that winds its way through the farm, including a trip to the production building where products are made and shipped from. Along the way the tour guide

Photo courtesy of Keel Farm

will explain the history of the farm and the family as guests sample our beer, wine and ciders. Plus, you get to take a commemorative glass home with you.” The tours are family friendly, and the kiddos get to sample the freshly squeezed, preservative-free apple juice base used to make the ciders.

Guests can also choose to discover the farm by foot and are encouraged to pick up a handy and informational map of the farm. As you explore, you’ll come across Tala, Dezi and Lucy, the farm’s resident pigs and goats. Plus, a stop at the chicken coop is a must.

“You can de nitely spend half a day or so enjoying the farm,” says Christy. “Keel Farm is a fresh farm experience where you can immerse yourself in Florida’s agricultural business.”

Throughout the year the farm plays host to a great selection of fun evenings, festivals, U-pick opportunities and more. One of Christy’s favorites is the Sip & Shop on the first Saturday of each month.

“The event includes everything the farm offers, plus events for the kids and a variety of local craft vendors,” she says. Fortunately, for those wishing to visit the

farm, the month of April offers the event each weekend to coincide with the beginning of blueberry season.

Conclude your trip to the farm with a meal at the Tasting Room, the on-site restaurant.

“It’s not just our wines, ciders and ales that we use our fresh crops for,” says Christy. “We offer homemade blueberry aioli, barbecue and compote. My favorite is the wine burger. The caramelized onions are soaked in a black raspberry merlot, and it’s topped with a fresh blueberry aioli. We use Providence Farms grass-fed beef. From the onions and sauce to the burger itself, it’s an all-time favorite.”

If you’d like to have Keel & Curley Winery products shipped to your home, that’s an option as well. Check out the shop on the farm’s website.

KEEL FARM keelfarms.com

Tasting Room hours: Monday, Thursday, 11am-9m; Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm and Sunday, 11am-7pm

Photos courtesy of Keel Farm

Interested in advertising your small business with us? We’ve got options for every budget! Give us a call today at (352) 812-3672 or email at kathy@352preview.com

BAKERY

ITALIAN BAKERY & DELI MAGNOLIA BAKERY

Pastries, Cakes & Subs

1412 N Magnolia Ave. | Ocala (352) 207-2667

SOLEIL BAKERY & SOCIAL HOUSE

Gluten-Free, Keto/Vegan Options

Available for Private Events

56 SE 1st Ave. | Ocala (352) 844-1682

@soleilocala

EVENT PLANNING

NEXT UP ENTERTAINMENT

DJ, Karaoke & Wedding Officiant (352) 593-1161

nextupentertainment@hotmail.com

nextupentertainment.org

KJDJNextUpKaraoke

FOOD & BEVERAGE

HEALTH & BEAUTY

MILANO ITALIAN GRILLE

5400 SW College Rd. | Ocala (352) 304-8549

milanotogo.com

EMPOWERED BEING MASSAGE THERAPY

Amanda Hixon, LMT #MA91207, #MM40554 2340 NE 2nd St., #100 | Ocala (352) 727-8031

empoweredbeingmassage.com

Amanda Hixon, LMT @empoweredbeinglmt

ENVIOUS EYEBROWS

4414 SW College Rd., Ste 380 | Ocala (352)291-4999

enviouseyebrows

HOME

BMW WINDOW COVERINGS & DECOR

George R Van Natta

Plantation Shutters, Blinds, Shades Valances, Draperies, Motorization Office: (352) 694-2300 Cell: (352) 216-0788

bmwwindowcoverings.com

MINAMI GRANITE DESIGNS Granite, Marble & Quartz Custom Countertops 1806 NE 2nd Ave. | Ocala (352) 671-9800

minamigranitedesign.com

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

JOIN THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER ON SATURDAY NIGHTS THROUGH MARCH 25 DURING THE 2023 WINTER SPECTACULAR SHOW SERIES FOR THE GRAND PRIX DINING EXPERIENCE PRESENTED BY WHEELS UP.

With a table o ering the most coveted view of the Grand Arena, you can enjoy top-level equestrian sport under the lights at The Equestrian Hotel. Indulge in a three-course chef’s dinner featuring complimentary beer and wine. A cash bar will be available for spirits and bottles of wine from the in-house master sommelier’s selections.

Make your experience even more memorable when you pre-order one of the enhancements below. Enhancements will be on your designated table when you arrive and include items such as a cheese and charcuterie board, marinated olives, an antipasto platter, fresh fruit board, shrimp cocktail, jumbo prawns, smoked Scottish salmon and premium caviar, and more, as well as a selection of Champagnes and specialty wines.

Doors open at 6pm, and the dinner begins at 7pm. Tables must be purchased by 12pm on the Friday before the event. Learn more and purchase tickets at worldequestriancenter.com/events

READY TO PLANT?

The days are getting warmer, which means it’s time to ready the garden for spring veggies and herbs. The UF/IFAS Extension gardening calendar gives Florida gardeners a monthly guide for what to plant and do in their gardens and includes links to useful gardening websites, all based on University of Florida research and expertise. When knowing what to plant, it’s important to know which zone (North, Central or South) you live in. Marion County is cut in half by the line for the North and Central zones. Check out additional tips and the zone map at sfyl.ifas.u .edu/lawn-and-garden/ orida-gardening-calendar

HERBS:

• BASIL

• CATNIP

• CHAMOMILE

• CHIVES

VEGETABLES:

• BEANS

• CANTALOUPES

• CARROTS

• CORN

• CUCUMBER

• CILANTRO

• DILL

• GINGER

• LAVENDER

• LEMONGRASS

• OREGANO

• PARSLEY

• THYME

• EGGPLANT

• PEPPERS

• SQUASH

• SWEET POTATOES

• RADISH

FROM THE FARM

• SPINACH

• SUMMER SQUASH

• TOMATOES

• WATERMELON

LOOKING FOR FRESH PRODUCE AND HOMEMADE GOODS? CHECK OUT ONE OF THESE LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS.

BROWN AND BROWN FARMS & COUNTRY STORE OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY, 10AM-5PM BROWNANDBROWNFARMS.COM

FARMERS MARKET AT BROWNWOOD PADDOCK SQUARE OPEN SATURDAYS, 9AM-1PM THEVILLAGESENTERTAINMENT.COM/MARKETS

CIRCLE SQUARE COMMONS FARMERS MARKET OPEN THURSDAYS, 9AM-1PM CIRCLESQUARECOMMONS.COM

GNV MARKET AT HEARTWOOD OPEN THURSDAYS, 4-7PM GNVMARKET.COM

ALACHUA COUNTY FARMERS’ MARKET OPEN SATURDAYS, 8:30AM-NOON 441MARKET.COM

OCALA DOWNTOWN MARKET OPEN SATURDAYS, 9AM-2PM

OCALADOWNTOWNMARKET.COM

754 NE 25TH AVE., OCALA BRAISEDONION.COM

LA

FRENCH RESTAURANT

48 SW 1ST AVE OCALA | (352) 433-2570 | LACUISINEOCALA.COM

TUE-SUN 5-9PM | SUN 11AM-2PM | CLOSED MONDAY

Treat yourself to a memorable dining experience at La Cuisine. Only the highest quality ingredients and produce are used to create traditional French fare in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Reminiscent of a quaint Paris bistro, La Cuisine o ers an ambiance that is ideal for a family brunch, a business dinner or a romantic evening out. With award-winning dishes that are prepared fresh, in-house, each meal includes personal touches that only La Cuisine can provide. Indoor and outdoor patio dining is available in beautiful downtown, and you’ll enjoy live music on Fridays and Saturdays. 9 Golden Spoons and Hall of Fame Award from Florida Trend Magazine

EL TOREO

3790 E SILVER SPRINGS BLVD. | (352) 694-1401 | MON-SUN 11AM-10PM

3510 SW 36TH AVE. (SR 200) | (352) 291-2121 | MON-SUN 11AM-11PM

Head to El Toreo for the best Mexican food this side of the border! Enjoy all of your favorite traditional Mexican dishes in a friendly and festive atmosphere. Beyond the outstanding Mexican food, El Toreo simply o ers a warm, fun place to be— whether you’re dressed up or casual. Any day is a good day for one of El Toreo’s tasty margaritas: Mondays and Wednesdays $2 margaritas, Saturdays 2-for-1 margaritas and 2-for-1 happy hour every day from 4-7pm (excluding margaritas).

WINE IS CHEAPER THAN THERAPY.

Wine Tastings

MARCH 2 | 5-8PM

JEAN BALMONT FRENCH WINES

MARCH 16 | 5-8PM

RIESLINGS, ARGENTINA WINES & IRRESISTIBLE SWEEET ENDING!

Beer Tastings

MARCH 9 | 5-8PM

ZONY MASH BREWERY FROM NEW ORLEANS, LA

MARCH 23 | 5-8PM

FLYING MONKEY FROM ONTARIO,CANADA

Co-hosted with Ocala Beer Society

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE!

4901 E SILVER SPRINGS BLVD UNIT 306-307 | OCALA, FL SANDYSSHACK.COM

CUISINE

352 PREVIEW

When heart problems like AFib, arrhythmia, or heart failure begin to affect your life, you need expert care from a trusted team. As one of Florida’s first designated HeartCARE Centers by the American College of Cardiology, we provide nationally recognized care for a range of cardiovascular conditions. So you can keep your heart beating with the pace of life.

Take a heart risk assessment at FloridaHeartExperts.com

3035 SE MARICAMP RD STE 104, UNIT 168 OCALA, FL 34471