As summer subsides, fair and festival season fires up. Be sure to keep this list handy in the upcoming months.
Going Nuts
October 7
The 29th Annual North Central Florida Peanut Festival is Williston’s biggest one-day event featuring plenty of peanutty fun for the whole family. 8am-4pm at Williston’s Heritage Park. willistonfl.com or (352) 528-5552.
Get Cultured
October 7
The 13th Annual Ocala Cultural Festival is a local favorite and will be held at Tuscawilla Park this year from 11am-3pm. ocalafl.org or (352) 368-5517.
For The Love Of Jeeps
October 20-22
Jeep-lovers will converge at the Market of Marion for the 20th Annual Jeeptoberfest. The event is one of the largest Jeep-only events in the Southeast. ocalajeepclub.com.
Festival Fun
October 19-22
Fall would not be complete without a trip to the annual Blessed Trinity Carnival featuring rides, games, fun houses and more. btcarnival.org or (352) 622-5808 ext. 3356.
A Historical Happening
October 21
Step back in time at the McIntosh 1890s festival, held rain or shine 8am-5pm. friendsofmcintosh.org or (352) 591-4038.
Turtle-Tastic
October 27-29
The Cooter Music Festival, held at Liberty Park in Inverness, features three days of live music, carnival rides, over 100 vendors, turtle races and more. cooterfestival.com or (352) 341-7820.
Fall Family Fun
October 27-29
The annual Ocala Pumpkin Run includes fun for the kids and a premier car show of all makes and models, vendors, monster trucks, BMX biking, motocross and more. ocalapumpkinrun.com or (352) 620-9998.
Gettin’ Chili
November 4
For 36 years, chili aficionados from far and wide have brought their best batches for a chance to win the coveted Marion County Chili Cook-Off crown. This year’s event runs 10am-5pm at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. marioncountychilicookoff.org or (352) 351-8840.
Food & Fun
November 11
The 4th Annual Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival will boast live music, over 40 vendors and more than a dozen food trucks. The Harvest Fest runs 1-10pm at Tuscawilla Park. feeldowntownlive.com or (352) 401-3980.
Tis The Season
November 18
The winter season kicks off with the annual Light Up Ocala event. Held downtown from 4-9pm.
ocalafl.org or (352) 629-2489.
Prime Patches and Corny Fun
Head to theses area pumpkin patches and corn mazes for fall family fun.
Timberline Farm Corn Maze Festival, Belleview
timberlinefarms.net or (352) 454-4113
Scott’s Maze Adventures and Corn Maze, Mount Dora
longandsctottfarms.com or (352) 383-6900
Coon Hollo Corn Maze, Micanopy
coonhollocornmaze.com or (352) 318-9258
Dunnellon Pickin’ Patch, Dunnellon
dunnellonpumpkinpatch.com or (352) 533-4344
Druid Hills Pumpkin Patch, Ocala
druidhillsocala.org or (352) 629-5688
