A guide to our favorite monthly happenings and can’t-miss events.
Run For The Springs 5K
Marion County Government Complex
April 6, 8am
The ninth race in the Big Hammock Race Series, this family-friendly race benefits projects that will support the health of our local springs. The event will include a children’s area, refreshments and prizes, including a Corporate Cup award for the business team with the fastest time. Online registration closes on April 5 and is $25. Day-of-race registration is also $25, and all participants will receive a cotton race shirt. bighammockraceseries.com
3rd Annual Superintendent’s Literacy Festival
Citizens’ Circle
April 13, 9am-3pm
Join Marion County Public Schools to celebrate reading and literacy with story time, free books, celebrity readers and more. While there, stop by the community booths to find out more about several local organizations and groups. For details, contact Marion County Public Schools at (352) 840-3265.
Cinema Sunday
Marion Theatre
April 7, 3-6pm
This Is Home is an intimate portrait of four Syrian refugee families arriving in Baltimore and struggling to find their footing. As they learn to adapt to challenges, including the newly imposed travel ban, their strength and resilience are tested. The Cinema Sunday series, presented by the Ocala Film Foundation, offers film screenings and also a chance to meet and interact with the filmmaker in close-up and conversation events before and after the film. ocalafilmfoundation.org
Casino Royale Speakeasy
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Conference Center
April 12
Enjoy a night of casino action, including craps, blackjack, roulette and slot-style games. Use your winnings to bid on awesome prizes, and enjoy spirits by Fish Hawk Spirits. Hors d’oeuvres will also be served. Proceeds from this event benefit Kids Central to help abused and neglected children in our community. Tickets are regularly $75 each. Purchase two tickets online for $125 at KCIcasino2019.eventbrite.com. For more details, call (352) 387-3426.
Relay For Life
Citizens’ Circle
April 12, 6pm-12am
Relay for Life is the nation’s largest fundraiser benefitting cancer research and patient program services. Participants form groups and walk in support of those affected by cancer. The Survivor/Caregiver walk recognizes the strength and courage it takes to fight this disease, and the Luminaria Ceremony will light up the sky in remembrance of those who have lost their battle, those still fighting and those who have survived. For details, contact Jodi Sanders of the American Cancer Society at (352) 240-5063.
Race Against Child Abuse
Marion Technical Institute
April 13, packet/T-shirt pickup at 7am, race begins at 8am
This 5K run through Ocala’s beautiful historic district raises funds to support Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection. The event will include plenty of prizes and honors, including an award for the largest group, the top female and male law enforcement officer, and prizes for various age brackets. For details, call (352) 873-4739.
Magical Night at the Museum
Appleton Museum of Art
April 20, 6-9pm
Unicorn carriage rides, artwork that comes to life, a magic show, mermaids and more! Imagination comes alive for this popular annual Appleton event. Guests ages 4 and up are invited to tour the museum in a very kid-friendly way. Don’t forget to visit the ARTSpace to create a magic wand or your very own orb. Light refreshments will be served in the café, and kids are encouraged to attend in costume. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended and can be done at appletonmuseum.org or in person at the visitors’ services desk. For Appleton members, family packs are available for $35 (two adults and up to three kids) and single tickets are $10. For non-members, a family pack is $50 and single tickets are $15. appletonmuseum.org
Eternity
Ocala Civic Theatre
Through April 21
Abe may not look the part, but escorting dead people to the afterlife is his job. Always taking care of others, Abe makes the decision to miss a scheduled “appointment” to treat himself to an ice cream. What harm could it do, right? Turns out, Abe has changed the course of history for a young couple, a hotel detective and a cocktail waitress. This “divine” comedy was a winner of AACT’s NewPlayFest in 2018. Check it out for yourself. They say it’s to die for! ocalacivictheatre.com
Bay City Rollers
Savannah Center, The Villages
April 27, 5pm and 8pm
The Bay City Rollers have sold over 150 million records worldwide, including their smash hit “Saturday Night.” Get ready to party, dance and sing along to all their greatest hits as the original guitarist, songwriter and singer, Stuart “Woody” Wood, lights up the stage! savannahcenter.com
Earthfest at Arbor Day
Tuscawilla Park
April 27, 10am-2pm
Join Ocala Recreation and Parks to learn about ways to preserve our planet, enjoy nature-conscious activities and participate in arts and crafts projects. Food vendors will be available on-site. This event is free and open to the public. ocalafl.org/recpark
Knights of Columbus Charity Golf Tournament
Stone Creek Golf Club
April 27
The Queen of Peace Knights of Columbus Council 9649 is hosting its annual charity golf tournament to support Marion County charities. The registration fee of $70 per person includes morning coffee and doughnuts, a buffet lunch and golf with a cart. Par-3 hole-in-one prizes include $10,000, an iPad or two round-trip airline tickets to any city in the continental United States. The event will also include a putting contest, longest drive challenge and a closest to the pin contest. For tournament details and registration, contact Fred Roberts before April 10 at froberts7@cfl.rr.com.
