On the Scene | July 2022

A guide to our favorite monthly happenings and can’t-miss events

July 1-30 | Summer Kids Film Series
Marion Theatre
The Summer Kids Film Series runs through August 5th. Dates and times vary. Children enjoy movies for $3 (includes juice, popcorn and fruit snacks). $5 for adults. Upcoming movies include family favorites such as Sing 2, How to Train Your Dragon, PAW Patrol, Where the Wild Things Are, The Lorax and Gnomeo and Juliet. Step inside a cool, dark movie theater and enjoy the show. Visit reillyartscenter.com/mariontickets for more info. 

July 2 | Free First Saturday
Appleton Museum of Art
Continuing its tradition of offering free admission the first Saturday of each month, guests can view museum works, regular and special collections, and even create art in the museum’s interactive Artspace. Current exhibitions include Invented Observations: Photographs by Steven Benson, Depicting the Dancer: Artworks by Ernst Oppler and A Strange and Picturesque Country: Etchings by Earl H. Reed. A central garden space serves as a place for peaceful respite. Renowned local foodie Big Lee’s BBQ food truck will be onsite 11am-2pm. See appletonmuseum.org for more info. 

July 5-6 | Ocala Summer Movie Express (also 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27; and August 2-3)
Regal 16 Theater
Family and kid-friendly movies. Tickets are $2 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; check the theater website for show times. 7/05-7/06 Puss in Boots and Sing; 7/12-7/13 Sing 2 and Space Jam: A New Legacy; 7/19-7/20 Despicable Me 3 and Tom & Jerry; 7/26-7/27 Minions and Trolls: World Tour, and 8/02-8/03 The Boss Baby: Family Business and The Croods: A New Age. Chill out in air-conditioned comfort on a hot summer day. For more info, ocalamarion.com/events/regal-16-ocala-summer-movie-express/

July 8-10 | Citrus County Kennel Club AKC All-Breed Show
World Equestrian Center, Expo Center 2
Dogs of all breeds will be shown, from bulldogs to bischons, Labradors to Lhasa apsos. Featured classes include National Owner-Handler Series and Best Junior Handler classes. Saturday’s featured class will be Best Puppy in Show and Sunday classes will conclude with Best Junior Handler Overall. Free and open to the public for viewing; competing dogs must be officially entered. WEC has onsite food and beverage options. For more info, worldequestriancenter.com 

July 9 | Ocala Polo Club Summer Sunset Games (also 16, 23 and 30)
Florida Horse Park
The Ocala Polo Club continues its tradition of Summer Sunset matches. When the sun goes down, the breeze kicks in and you’ll be up close to “the sport of kings.” Sidelines tailgating is free and tailgate decorating prizes are awarded every week. This month’s themes are Ponytail Power, Horsepower Cup, Holidays in July and Life’s a Beach Day. Matches often have a charity component. Dogs on leashes are welcome. And, yes, spectators go onto the field and stomp the divots. For more info, ocalapolo.com

July 14 | Brown Bag Luncheon with Lee Gramling
Reddick Public Library
Local author Lee Gramling gives readers a taste of Old Florida with tales just as exciting as America’s Old West. Gramling is a sixth-generation Floridian who gives his stories a sense of authenticity that engages readers. With scenes of cattle drives (and rustling), boom towns, shoot-outs and classic cracker cowboys on their faithful cow ponies, Gramling’s Cracker Western stories will take you back into our state’s wild past. To reserve a spot, call the library at (352)438-2566. 

July 14-23 | American Ranch Horse Association World Championship Show
World Equestrian Center, Arena 5
A big variety of Western equestrian events are combined in this show. Classes and competitions in herdwork, cowhorse, reining, ranch riding and more. Youth classes, along with amateur, novice and open added money, are available. This event is free and open to spectators. WEC has onsite food options. See worldequestriancenter.com for more info.

July 16 | Carnival of Crue-Motley Crue Tribute Show
Reilly Arts Center
Get out your hairspray, back comb that mop and make that hair big for a metalhead’s night out in Ocala. The Reilly hosts the Wind-FM music series with the Carnival of Crue playing all of Motley’s Crue’s greatest hits. Expect to hear Smokin’ in the Boy’s Room, Girls, Girls, Girls, Shout at the Devil, Home, Sweet Home and more. Tickets are $15-$35 and available from reillyartscenter.com

July 16 | Remembering John Denver Tribute Show
Marion Theatre
Or, if mellow country music is more your thing, this tribute show will entertain you. Performer Ted Vigil—who looks and sounds just like the late singer—plays the iconic hits by this country music legend. Expect to hear Take Me Home, Country Roads, Rocky Mountain High, Sunshine on My Shoulders and Thank God, I’m a Country Boy. 3pm and 8pm; tickets are $20-$50. For more info, reillyartscenter.com

July 21 | Opry Showcase (also 28 and August 4)
Orange Blossom Opry
Local talent takes the stage at the Orange Blossom Opry on Thursday nights. Enjoy a variety of music by the Opry’s own Jammer All Stars and other performers, from classic country to rockabilly, new country, rock, soul and more. Tickets are $13-20 for this variety show. See obopry.com for more info. 

July 22 | Friday Foodie Fest 
Lake Lillian Park, Belleview
Food trucks, live music, crafts and activities for kids, face painting and local vendors. Held the fourth Friday of each month. For more info, see ocalamarion.com or belleviewfl.org

Photo by Alan Youngblood

July 23 | SeanTMusic Global Music Series
NOMA Black Box, Reilly Arts Center 
Get your dance on at this blend of techno music and house, with local songstress Becky Sinn and DJ Idlemind combining their talents for a unique night of music. SeanTMusic Global blends live music, percussion, DJ tunes and interactive elements to produce a vibrant, high-energy evening of entertainment. Tickets are $20. For more info, see reillyartscenter.com

August 5-7 | Pac West Barrel Racing Show
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion
The quickest 20 seconds (or less) in sports! Barrel racing is an exciting rodeo event where horses enter the arena at a full gallop then run a pattern around barrels. Competition is so tight that sometimes winners are determined by thousandths of a second. Check out the area’s best horses and riders as they compete in an equine need for speed. Free to spectators. For information, check out selp.marionfl.org.

August 6 | Twilight Cruisers of Belleview Car Show
Kent Furniture Center, Belleview
The Twilight Cruisers put on a car show the first Saturday of every month. Enthusiasts can see restored, refurbished and retro cars of all kinds, from muscle cars of the ‘70s to classics of the ‘40s and ‘50s. Donations of food for Interfaith Emergency Services are encouraged. For more info, twilightcruisersflorida.com/upcoming-shows

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