If you're looking for a great place to visit in Florida, look no further than Ocala! This charming city has plenty of things to do and see, and it's the perfect destination for anyone looking for a relaxing vacation. In this article, we'll discuss some of the best things to do in Ocala, FL. So if you're planning a trip to this beautiful city, be sure to read on!

One of the most popular attractions in Ocala is Silver Springs State Park. This park contains some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs, as well as a diverse wildlife population and plenty of recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy swimming, canoeing, fishing, hiking, biking and more. There are also regularly-scheduled glass bottom boat tours for those who want to get an up-close look at the breathtaking scenery.

If you're looking for some fantastic shopping opportunities during your trip to Ocala, you'll find them here too! The city is home to two major malls: Paddock Mall and Heathbrook Commons. Both of these malls offer a variety of stores from which to choose, so there's something for everyone. You'll also find plenty of boutique stores and specialty shops throughout the city.

When it comes to dining, Ocala has something for everyone! From casual eateries to upscale restaurants, you'll be able to find whatever type of cuisine you're in the mood for. Be sure to try some traditional southern cooking while you're here; Ocala is known for its delicious barbecue and soul food.

Finally, no visit to Ocala would be complete without a trip to Appleton Museum of Art. This museum features over 20 galleries containing artwork from around the world, as well as traveling exhibits and educational programs. Whether you're an art enthusiast or just looking for something interesting to do during your stay in Ocala, you won't want to miss this great attraction.

As you can see, there's plenty to do in Ocala for everyone! Whether you're looking for a relaxing vacation or an exciting adventure, you'll find it here. So don't wait any longer – plan your trip to this amazing city today and start exploring! You won't regret it.

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THIS WEEKEND

Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular

This event at the Florida Horse Park, 11851 SW 16th Ave., Ocala, is open on select evenings beginning at 6 p.m. through Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24 and 25.) Check online for the exact dates when the event is happening.

According to organizers, "The Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular is the only drive-through holiday light spectacular in all of North Central Florida" and features "dozens of dazzling, larger-than-life holiday themed displays to delight the entire family."

The holiday light show is on a 1.8-mile route. Tickets can be purchased online (https://ocalachristmas.com/) or at the gate. Last car in at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per car Sunday through Thursday and $25 per car Friday and Saturday. Full details at https://ocalachristmas.com/

Winter Wonderland at the World Equestrian Center

This event runs 5-9 p.m., Thursday-Sunday, through Dec. 24.

"With over 1 million twinkling lights, World Equestrian Center – Ocala Winter Wonderland promises to bring merriment and cheer to all," organizers say. "The halls of the WEC Grand Plaza will be decked with all of the traditional regalia of the season, along with larger-than-life ornaments and a Christmas tree maze, a glittering, 45-foot-tall walk-through Christmas tree, a giant polar bear and plentiful holiday décor.

"This family-friendly event is an opportunity to meet Santa and enjoy evening entertainment, including carolers, face painters, balloon artists, and caricaturists who rotate throughout the weekend."

A $30 parking fee per vehicle will be charged. The event dates are Dec. 8-11, 15-18 and 22-24.

Full details at https://www.wecwinterwonderland.com/

'Coming Back Like a Song'

This nostalgic musical play is onstage at the Ocala Civic Theatre through Dec. 18. More at ocalacivictheatre.com

'Blessed be the Birds'

A new art exhibit, "Blessed be the Birds,"by Courtney Kravig-McGuire, is on display at the Clerk's Office at Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., from Dec. 13 through June 9. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This exhibit is free and open to the public.

Kravig-McGuire lives and works in Ocala and holds a bachelor of fine art degree in printmaking from the Herron School of Art + Design in Indianapolis. "Kravig-McGuire utilizes printmaking techniques to explore connections between nature and spirituality in her work," city organizers say. Learn more at www.direct.me/theinkyibis, 352-629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org or visit www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

'Big and Bold'

This exhibit will be on view in the Edith-Marie Gallery at the Appleton Museum of Art from Dec. 16 through May 21. All works are modern and contemporary art, many of which have never been on display at the Appleton.

'Assisted Living: The Home for the Holidays'

This vaudeville-esque revue will be onstage at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala. More at https://www.reillyartscenter.com/.

HOPS Annual Holiday Home Tour

This one-day event runs 4-9 p.m. Dec. 17, starting at the Historic Ocala Preservation Society, 712 E. Fort King St., Ocala. According to organizers: "Guests will receive a printed tour guide with addresses and a suggested path. Guests arriving after sundown will receive LED candles to light their way and add to the charm of the holiday festivities. Docents and volunteers will be available at each home to answer any questions guests may have along the way."

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 day-of. Children younger than 13 are free.

'Trains at the Holidays'

This show will be up Dec. 17-30 at the Webber Gallery at the College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road. According to organizers, "this display will feature model train layouts built and maintained by the Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society" and "many of the layouts are inspired by historic Ocala landmarks, such as the Six Gun Territory theme park that operated in Marion County until 1984."

The show is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The gallery will be closed Dec. 24 and 25. Admission is free. More at 352-854-2322, ext. 1664 or CF.edu/Webber.

Central Florida Master Choir

The Central Florida Master Choir will perform at 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at Dunnellon Presbyterian Church, 20641 Chestnut St., Dunnellon. The concert will include Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria” in D major, RV 589, as well as classic seasonal songs and other features. No tickets; goodwill offerings accepted. More at cfmasterchoir.com

COMING SOON

Concert for Good

The annual concert will be held at 8 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala. Proceeds benefit Brother's Keeper and the Marion County Children’s Alliance. Tickets range from $20 (for students) to $30 (for adults) and can be purchased at www.concertforgood.com. More at that website or concertforgood@gmail.com

'2023 Faculty Art Exhibition' at CF

The “2023 Faculty Art Exhibition” will be on display Jan. 9-Feb. 2 (opening reception on Jan. 18, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.) at the Webber Gallery at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 SW College Road. The gallery is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and admission is free. More information at 352-854-2322, ext. 1664. According to organizers, the works will include ceramics, prints, fiber, photography and mixed media.

“Revolutionized Textile & Fiber: The Art of Ingrid Humphrey”

An art exhibit, “Revolutionized Textile & Fiber: The Art of Ingrid Humphrey,” will be up mid-January through May 25 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center, 1821 NW 21^st Ave., Ocala. It will be free and open to the public. More at 352-629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org or www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.

ONGOING

'A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition'

The Appleton Museum, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, is lit with twinkling lights and large-scale decorations as this annual tradition returns. The exhibit will be up through Jan. 8. Also on display are Christmas trees decorated by participating community groups and organizations. More at www.appletonmuseum.org or 352-854-2322, ext. 1565.

New at the Appleton

The Appleton Museum, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, opened new exhibits on Dec. 3. One features Jacksonville-based Hiromi Mizugai Moneyhun's three-dimensional, cut-paper artwork. The other features the work of Gainesville-based poet and visual artist Debora Gregor, who presents 28 mixed-media works created during the pandemic lockdown in 2019-2021. These exhibits will be up through June 18.

‘Looking on the Brighter Side'

This exhibit from Jennifer Weigel is up through Jan. 9 at the Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., and Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free and open to the public. A city news release describes Weigel as "a multi-disciplinary mixed-media, conceptual artist" whose work "utilizes a wide range of media to convey her ideas, including assemblage, drawing, fibers, installation, jewelry, paint, performance, photography, video and writing." More at www.jenniferweigelart.com, 352-629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org or www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.

'Colorful Pleasures'

This art exhibit from Christine Dozier is up through Jan. 17 at the Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Suite 600. Free and open to the public. Dozier, an Ocala resident and Memphis native, works in oils and acrylics. More at www.christinedozier.com, 352-629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org or www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.

'Squares Without Stitches'

This exhibit is up at the Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center, 210 NW 12th Ave., Ocala, through Jan. 12. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free and open to the public. More at www.ocalafl.org/recpark, 352-368-5517 and Ocala Rec Park on Facebook.

When the pandemic put touring theatrical productions on pause, the show I was most sorry to see postponed was Hadestown, Anaïs Mitchell’s 2019 Tony-winning reimagining of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice as a raucous, romantic celebration of American roots music. Two full years after originally scheduled, the show has finally arrived at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center (running through Dec. 18).

I’m happy to report the long walk through the darkness was well worth the wait, because this railroad to hell is paved with more than just good intentions; it’s by far the most satisfying show of this Broadway season.

Hermes (Nathan Lee Graham), our fabulously fleet-footed emcee, narrates the tragedy of Orpheus (Chibueze Ihuoma), his naive young protegé whose divinely inspired lyre-plucking might restore springtime to his ravaged homeland. Competing with music-making for Orpheus’ attentions is Eurydice (Hannah Whitley) a wandering waif who captures his heart. Unfortunately, she also catches the eye of Hades (Matthew Patrick Quinn) the Trumpian dictator of the industrial hellscape down the road, whose soused spouse, Persephone (Lindsey Hailes), spends six months each year fleeing from his fumes.

Hadestown retells a tale as old as time, but when Orpheus’ love is put to the test, his epic battle between trust and doubt hits just as hard today as it did thousands of years ago. And it may still be the same sad song, but it’s a pleasure hearing it sung in such a fresh, joyful way by this inspiring ensemble.

Mitchell’s toe-tapping score weaves jazz, blues and folk music with Tin Pan Alley traditions into songs that feel both timeless and current; they could have been unearthed on a century-old wax record, or be streaming today on WXPN’s “World Cafe.” And with piano-pounding Nathan Koci leading the onstage honky-tonk orchestra, it’s hard not to wish that scenic designer Rachel Hauck’s NOLA-meets-Bartertown juke joint extended beyond the proscenium (as it did in the immersive New York production), so you could jump up on the turntable and join in with choreographer David Neumann’s organic movement.

Much of the show’s success should be credited to co-developer Rachel Chavkin, whose deceptively intricate direction keeps the party flowing through the fun times and hammers home the heartbreak when the time comes. However, it’s up to the touring performers to maintain that tender balance in town after town. Thankfully, this talented cast proves that innovative visions don’t have to be blunted by the road. Ihuoma’s angelic falsetto and open face make him the ideal innocent, and his tender chemistry with Whitley — whose gorgeously gruff voice would make her a great grunge-rock Cosette — helps transform the elliptical epilogue into an epiphany about enduring love, instead of an anti-climactic downer. Likewise, the heat generated by Hailes’ Nina Simone-style sass steams up her scenes with Quinn, even if his Thurl Ravenscroft-worthy bass sometimes makes Hades sound like a cartoon villain.

Finally, it is the gregarious Graham who is the true hero of Hadestown, as his Hermes channels the love child of Cab Calloway and RuPaul while singing like a classically trained CeeLo Green. As much as I loved Hadestown, what I really want to see is a two-person cabaret with Graham backed by trombonist Emily Fredrickson, the band’s breakout star. I’d sit still for all of Ovid if those two were calling the tunes.

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A 42-year-old Silver Springs man was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after he was accused of striking a co-worker’s back with a metal pipe.

On Thursday, October 13, an MCSO corporal responded to Marion Masonry Materials located at 3855 NE 35th Street in Ocala in reference to an aggravated battery incident involving two employees.

Upon arrival, the corporal made contact with the owner of the business who advised that he was made aware of an altercation that had occurred between the male victim and Billy Jack Harrington.

The owner advised that the victim and a few workers were claiming that Harrington had struck the victim with a large black metal pipe.

The corporal located the victim who advised that he was speaking with another co-worker shortly before the incident. When the victim approached that co-worker to offer a piece of candy he had in his pocket, the victim stated that he was struck between his shoulder blades with the metal pipe.

The victim told the corporal that he grabbed his back in pain, turned around, and saw Harrington drop the pipe. According to the victim, Harrington was yelling and accusing the victim of “talking bad about him.”

The victim stated that he was not involved in any kind of argument or altercation with Harrington prior to the alleged attack. The corporal noted in the MCSO report that the victim had a red mark and small bruise in-between his shoulder blades.

The corporal spoke with the co-worker who was near the victim when the alleged attack occurred. The co-worker gave a similar statement and advised that the metal pipe used by Harrington weighed approximately 25 pounds. The co-worker told the corporal that he backed away during the incident because he was fearful that Harrington was going to strike him.

According to the MCSO report, the corporal spoke with a manager who advised that he had separated Harrington and the victim. The manager stated that he instructed Harrington to leave the premises, and Harrington got into his vehicle and drove to the work yard. When Harrington exited his vehicle, the manager stated that Harrington began walking toward the victim while carrying a baseball bat.

The manager advised that he was able to get Harrington to “calm down,” and Harrington left the location.

The corporal responded to the 18600 block of SE 18th Street in Silver Springs and made contact with Harrington. After being read his Miranda rights, Harrington stated that the victim was “talking bad about him” and calling him a “pedophile.” Harrington claimed that this was an ongoing issue with the victim.

The MCSO report stated that Harrington is a registered sex offender.

Harrington denied striking the victim with a large metal pipe. He also denied grabbing a baseball bat from his vehicle and walking in the direction of the victim while carrying the bat.

Harrington was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $2,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Powerful storms swept through the Ocala and Silver Springs area Thursday afternoon, causing damage described in part by the National Weather Service in Jacksonville as trees and powerlines “twisted together.”

According to an update at 7:55 p.m., the NWS confirmed wind damage reported at 4:45 p.m. out of Silver Springs was “likely from downburst winds.”

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Downbursts are straight line winds, i.e. thunderstorm winds with no rotation, and are the main way thunderstorms produce their damage; wind descending from the thunderstorm spreads out in all directions once hitting the ground and can reach speeds above 100 mph, according to the NWS.

Thousands of people lost power in Marion County during the storms, with most customers’ service restored by Friday morning. Drivers were told to expect traffic delays due to fallen trees and powerlines obstructing roadways, Ocala Fire Rescue said.

Robert Smith, was impacted by intermittent power and a tree limb falling on his car port, adding its hard to predict how a storm will impact the area.

“The main limb had come down and the truck was sitting in there and it never touched that truck, but you can see the poles are all bent,” Smith said. “It snapped off up there quite a ways.”

Doug Embick, who had a large tree fall on his home during this time, recalled wind and rain blowing horizontal down the street.

“The next thing I know I heard something fall and I looked out the little octagon window here and I saw the tree down,” Embick said News 6. “As long as we’re OK, everything’s OK.”

Embick said the damage to his house actually looks worse than it was.

“I heard my neighbhor’s yard was on fire and there was another house that got hit by lightning out here somewhere and it burned,” Embick said. “Could have been a whole lot worse.”

“A witnessed lightning strike” was also blamed for setting a house on fire in Ocala, firefighters said.

Ocala Electric Utility said in a Facebook post Friday it was working to actively restore power to 1,317 affected customers as of 2:13 p.m.

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