critters & equine

JULY 21-23

Florida Quarter Horse Association

Summer Sizzler Show

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala

All day

The versatility and power of the American Quarter Horse is highlighted in this summer show with English, Western, youth, amateur, reining and trail classes offered. Food and drink vendors onsite. Check out fqua.net for more info.

JULY 21-23 & 26-30

Summer Series: Hunter/Jumper

Shows World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 8am-4pm FEI CSI3* competitions. Food and drink options onsite; some events have a parking fee. See worldequestriancenter.com for more info.

JULY 22 & 29

Summer Sunset Polo Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala

6pm Free to the public, tailgate next to the polo field and enjoy a unique evening out, Saturdays through September. Check out ocalapolo.com for more info.

JULY 23

Pack Walk Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 9am-10:30am

Help adoptable Marion County Animal Shelter dogs. Park entry fee is $2. Recurs each fourth Sunday. For more info, animalservices.manrionfl.org

JULY 23

Adoption Event: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” Movie Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala

1pm-3pm This special showing of the movie includes the

Government

JULY 24 & 26

State of the County 2023

Two locations

Presented by Marion County Commission Chair Craig Curry, highlighting Marion County Government and the community, with discussions about the economy, legislative priorities, future infrastructure of roads and more. Free to attend: 10am July 24 at 13601 Del Webb Blvd. Summerfield, and 11am July 26 at OTOW Circle Square Cultural Center. Details at bit.ly/46R9yUL

JULY 24 & 31

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

Civic

JULY 21 & 28

South Ocala 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.

JULY 21 & 28

Kiwanis Club of Ocala

Central Christian Church, 3010 NE 14th St., Ocala

12pm

Meets weekly on Fridays. Supports Camp Kiwanis, children’s literacy and Habitat for Humanity. More info at ocalakiwanis.org

JULY 25

MCBIA Annual Awards Dinner

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1812 NW 21st Ave., Ocala

5:30pm

The Marion County Building Industry Association holds its annual award dinner with networking, dinner and a keynote speech from local Chick-fil-A owner/operator Jeromy Williams. RSVP to cherrietta@ocalacep.com

JULY 27

OTOW Farmers Market

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

9am-1pm

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.

JULY 27

Strategic Community Alliance Meeting

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1812

NW 21st Ave., Ocala

6pm

The SCA is a local nonprofit working with community members to develop a strategic plan for the Black community in Marion County. All are welcome. Contact Cain Davis at (352) 871-4555 or caindavis03@ yahoo.com, or go to scacommunities.org

JULY 29

Aviators’ Playground Dedication

Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala

10am

A new and unique kids’ playground opens as the aviation community honors Edwin Martin. The aviation-themed playground has ropes and ladders, a play gym, spring riders and aviation history panels, all overlooking the airport’s apron for a great view of the planes. Free to attend. For more info, call (352) 629-8377.

JULY 28, 29 & AUGUST 5 & 8

Back to School Community Giveback

10 Locations, see bit.ly/Marion_Back2School

Times vary

The Community Foundation for OcalaMarion County, supported by various area charities and other foundations, is offering this backpack giveaway to help with school supplies and prep students for the coming academic year. Students must be registered, and for one location only. Tickets through bit.ly/Marion_Back2School

JULY 29 TO AUGUST 5

Cal Ripken Youth World Series

Ocala Rotary Sportsplex, 5220 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala

Times vary

Dozens of youth baseball teams will visit Marion County for the annual youth World Series competitions. A kick-off event is July 29 at the World Equestrian Center and a parade at the downtown square is on July 30. Games start on July 31, and all are free and open to the public. For more info, OcalaMarion.com or Jessica.heller@marionfl.org

Marion County Animal Services team with pets available for adoption at the theater. Tickets are $5. See reillyartscenter.com for more info.

JULY 23-30

All-Star Reining Stakes World Equestrian Center Ocala, Arena 5, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala All day Novice, youth, pro and amateur classes. Free to attend and free parking. See allstarreiningstakes.com/all-star-show for more info and schedule.

JULY 26

Wildlife Wednesdays Scott Springs Park, 2825 SW 24th Ave,, Ocala

5pm-6pm

This week’s talk focuses on turtles and tortoises. Free to attend. For more info, ocalafl.org/recpark 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

JULY 24

Marion County Planning & Zoning Meeting

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

5:30pm

Meets the fourth Monday of the month; agendas, minutes and video available from ocala.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

JULY 24

Tourist Development Council

Tourist Development Conference Room, 109 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 9am

JULY 22 & 29

Ocala Chess Club at Headquarters Library Headquarters Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 11am-3pm Meets weekly on Saturdays; new members welcome. Please bring your own chess set. For more info, facebook.com/ groups/53070499106

JULY 25

Ocala Blue Star Mothers Arena 1, second floor, World Equestrian Center Ocala, Arena 1, 2nd floor, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

6pm

Organization for mothers of active-duty military and veterans meets the fourth Tuesday of each month. New members welcome. Call Anne Parker at (843) 504-0032 or visit ocalabluestarmothers.org

JULY 27

Gentle Carousel Miniature Horses

Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE Highway 484 (10:30am); Sankofa Public Library, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala (3pm)

The trained therapy horses will be at Belleview in the morning and northwest Ocala in the afternoon. Free to attend. See library.marionfl.org for more info.

JULY 27-30

Riders of the Wind

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala

Times vary, see website

Created by a Kazakhstan family with a history in show business, the performances and costumes were inspired by the Genghis Khan era and Russian cavalry. The show features horses, two camels, a Poodle act and daredevil performances. Tickets are $10 for children, $25 for adults. See theridersofthewind.com for more info.

JULY 27

Growth Management Informational Meeting

MLK First Responder Campus, 615 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Ocala

5:30pm-7:30pm Brick by Brick: Planning 101 will be hosted by city staffers and include topics such as the Vision 2035 Plan, Vision 2050 Plan, Comprehensive Planning, Zoning and Land Development, Community Redevelopment, Historic Preservation and Community Involvement. Staff will be available for questions. Refreshments will be provided. Free and open to the public. For more information, or if reasonable accommodations are needed, contact Growth Management at 352-629-8404 or gmd@ocalafl.gov; or visit www.ocalafl.org

JULY 26

VFW Wednesday Dinners Angela S. Santos FVW Post 4781, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala

4:30pm-6:30pm

The post offers weekly dinners for about $5-$7 with a variable menu. The dining room is open to the public, meals are prepped by VFW Auxiliary volunteers and proceeds benefit veterans in Marion County. For the menu, call (352) 873-4781.

JULY 27

Ocala Lions Club

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

12pm

Meets weekly on Thursdays; newcomers welcome. The club supports vision health and diabetes prevention. More info at e-clubhouse.org/sites/ocalafl