government

FEBRUARY 27 & MARCH 6

Marion County Development Review Committee

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala

9am The first step for new development projects, the committee reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. Meets weekly on Mondays; agendas are usually posted the Friday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

FEBRUARY 24 & MARCH 3

Chess Club at Freedom Library Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala 10am-12pm

Meets weekly on Fridays; new members welcome. Please bring your own chess set. For more info, Walt Lamp at (352) 854-9378.

FEBRUARY 27

FEBRUARY 26

Pack Walk Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

9am-10:30am Help Marion County Animal Shelter dogs get out and about by assisting staffers as they walk homeless dogs. Park entry is $2. Recurs monthly on the fourth Sunday. For more info, animalservices.manrionfl.org

FEBRUARY 26

Ziggy’s Haven Bird Sanctuary 20th Anniversary Open House 80 N. Florida Ave., Inverness

11am-4pm

This sanctuary celebrates its 20th year of helping homeless and neglected birds with an all-day party. Speakers include Branson Ritchie from the University of Georgia, and other talks on nutrition, enrichment and bird training will be offered. Pizza, hotdogs, Kona Ice and other vendors, along with raffles and tours. $5 per ticket; free ages 5 and younger. For more info, bit.ly/3ZdP6Zk

FEBRUARY 26 & MARCH 5

Ocala Polo Club Winter Games Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala

1pm Free polo matches takes place every Sunday through March. Bring your chairs, blankets and snacks. Tents are available for rent. Decorate your tent/tailgate area and you might win a prize. Leashed dogs are welcome. For more information, visit ocalapolo.com

FEBRUARY 28

“Tolton - From Slave to Priest”

Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 5 SE 17th St., Ocala

6pm

The national tour of this one-man production tells the story of Fr. Augustine Tolton, the first Black priest in the United States. The multi-media presentation is free to attend and a love offering will be accepted. For more info, call the church at (352) 629-8092.

FEBRUARY 28

Garden Groupies - Organic

Vegetable Gardening

Grumble’s House Antiques & Garden Shop, 20799 Walnut St., Dunnellon

10:30am

The Master Gardeners from UF put on this free monthly talk, this time focused on organic vegetable gardening in North Central Florida. Gardening expert Jo Leyvl Vidal will talk about soil, amendments, pest control and more. For more info, grumbleshouseantiques.com/

MARCH 2

OTOW Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala

9am-1pm

Large selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps and more; recurs every Thursday. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more info.

MARCH 2-5

Ocala RV Show

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala

All day

If hitting the road in an RV is on your to-do list, check out the variety of RVs and accessories at this show. Admission is $5. More info at flhorsepark.com

MARCH 3

First Friday Art Walk

Downtown Ocala Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala

6pm-9pm

The monthly event features artists, performers

Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission

Meeting McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala

5:30pm Meets on the last Monday of the month. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl. legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

FEBRUARY 24 & MARCH 3

Kiwanis Club of Ocala Knights of Columbus Building at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1510 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala

MARCH 1

VFW and craftspeople, food and snacks, plus live entertainment. Stores are open late for shopping. Free to attend. For more info, ocalafl.org

MARCH 3-5

Horsemanship Simplified: Wild Horse Tamings

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Arena 5, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

9am-4:30pm

Mustang taming sessions will show elements of Parelli Natural Horsemanship methods while working with wild horses. Morning and afternoon sessions. Tickets start at $180; see worldequestriancenter.com for more info.

MARCH 3-5

All for the Horses Expo

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

9am-6pm

Held in conjunction with the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series, vendors from all aspects of the equine industry will show wares. Free for the public. See worldequestriancenter.com for more info.

MARCH 4

Night at the Farm CF Vintage Farm Campus, 4020 SE Third Ave. Ocala 6pm This annual fundraiser supports College of Central Florida students. The event will include Cajuninspired small bites, live music and more. Tickets are $125 per person or $200 per couple. For more information, visit NightAtTheFarm.org.

MARCH 4

Engineering Day at the Discovery Center

Discovery Center, 701 Sanchez Ave., Ocala

10am-2:30pm

Kids ages 5 to 15 are encouraged to jump into engineering by planning and building an engineering project in this educational workshop hosted by the Ocala Electric Utility and the Florida Engineering Society. Admission is free and includes lunch for the adults and children. Preregistration is required at mydiscovercenter.org; the deadline to register is Friday, Feb. 24.

MARCH 4

Habitat For Humanity Strawberry Festival

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala

All day

Expect to find strawberry shortcakes, strawberry pies and fresh strawberries. The festival includes a car show, entertainment, food options, vendor booths and activities for kids. The Petty Experience and the BXM Trickstars will be on hand. The festival is free to attend. Parking is a $5 donation. Proceeds will be split between Habitat for Humanity of Marion County and the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association. See habitatocala.org for more info.

MARCH 4-5

Florida SpringsFest

Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs

10am-4pm

For a fun day out in nature, trek out and enjoy educational exhibits and learn about history, science and sustainability. Live music and food trucks. Admission is $2 and gives you access to the main park, the Silver River Museum and the option for glass-bottom boat rides for an additional fee. For more info, bit.ly/FLSpringsfest

FEBRUARY 28

Transportation Planning Organization

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala

4pm Meets fourth Tuesday of the month and covers Belleview, Dunnellon, Ocala and Marion County.

MARCH 2