A guide to our favorite monthly happenings and can’t-miss events.
BHRS PACE Derby Day
Florida Horse Park
May 4 | 6:30-10:30am
This annual event to raise money for the PACE Center for Girls is much more than the usual 5K run. Participants can choose a scenic 5K or 10K route along the Cross Florida Greenway or a 1-mile fun run. T-shirts are modeled after the jockey silk of 2018 Kentucky Derby winner JUSTIFY and winners’ ribbons are inspired by horse racing events. This is the final race in the Big Hammock Race Series, a year-long series of fitness challenges to support local charities. www.bighammockraceseries.com
Ocala Downtown Criterium
Brick City Center for the Arts
May 4 | 12-6pm
What is a criterium? It’s an official USA Cycling bicycle race through the downtown streets. Think super-fast road cyclists zooming around a six-corner course. This event is returning after nearly 20 years. Get a seat on a downtown patio to take in the action! www.topviewsports.com
Ride for the Arts
Gran Fondo
Brick City Center for the Arts
May 5 | 8am-2pm
Ride 15, 40 or 70 miles of the most scenic cycling routes in Marion County, over rolling hills dotted with giant live oak trees and passing by majestic horse farms with their spring foals frolicking in the pastures, to support the Marion Cultural Alliance. Now in its fifth year, the event is bigger and better with more post-race fun, including a catered lunch, beer garden, massages, prizes, a vendor village, art and entertainment. www.rideforthearts.com
Discover
Downtown Ocala
Ocala’s Historic Downtown
May 8 | 5-10pm
The second Wednesday of the month is the new night to stroll, shop and sip downtown. Start anytime between 5-8pm at The Wandering Soul; purchase something at any of the many participating locations, including Agapanthus, Ivy on the Square Boutique, Marion Cultural Alliance, Ocala’s Chocolates and Confections and many more; then bring your receipt to the afterparty at 8pm at Courtyard on Broadway and you’re entered to win prizes. www.facebook.com/feeldowntown
2019 Symphony Gala
Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club
May 10 | 6pm
This annual fundraiser gala to support the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and the Reilly Arts Center always sells out, so reserve your tickets right away. Enjoy an evening of live entertainment by Swing Theory, dinner, cocktails, dancing and a top-tier silent auction. www.reillyartscenter.com
Symphony Under the Stars
Ocala Golf Club
May 12 | 4-9pm
This annual Mother’s Day favorite presented by Fine Arts For Ocala just gets better and better: Gates open earlier this year at 4pm, kids 17 and under get in free and once again local songstress Miranda MADison will open the show at 5pm. As always, the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Matt Wardell, will perform a family-friendly concert beginning at 7pm, and the event will end with the crowd favorite: an elaborate fireworks display at 8:45pm choreographed to the music. Bring your chairs and a picnic or rent chairs and purchase food on-site. Kids can make mom a gift at the free kids’ art tent, and there’s plenty of space for family fun and games. www.fafo.org
The Addams Family:
A New Musical
Ocala Civic Theatre
May 16-June 9
The iconic TV show comes to life in this marvelously morbid musical, a 2010 Broadway hit. Wednesday Addams is all grown up and in love with an ordinary young man from Ohio. On a dark and stormy night, the future in-laws arrive at the macabre mansion to meet the “creepy and the kooky, mysterious and spooky” Addams Family: Morticia and Gomez, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Lurch and Grandma. www.ocalacivictheatre.com
Ocala Skatepark
Grand Opening
517 NE Ninth St.
May 18 | 11am-3pm
Get on board and come skate, finally! Ocala Recreation and Parks is excited to cut the ribbon for the new Ocala Skatepark, located just north of Tuscawilla Park. All ages are invited to this celebration, which includes a live DJ and food truck on-site. For more information, call (352) 368-5517.
