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Hey Ocala, hope your week’s off to a good start! Swan Lake, a grand new World Equestrian Center venue, a historic church’s final push to finish its sanctuary, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
A legacy born from emancipation: Ocala’s Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, founded in 1867, is asking the public to help finish its sanctuary after pandemic delays. A GoFundMe is live and construction is 80% complete — learn how you can help.
Upscale gatherings take center stage: Ocala’s World Equestrian Center has unveiled a four-story event venue with over 300,000 square feet, featuring a 10,512-square-foot Grand Ballroom for up to 1,200 guests and new dining options — explore features and dining options.
Meteorologist warns worsening outlook: Central Florida’s drought has worsened, with some areas under extreme drought. In Marion County, rainfall is three inches below average and the burn ban remains in effect today — read the full drought update.
Rule changes coming to OBS: Ocala Breeders’ Sales will roll out new safety steps this year for Under Tack shows, limiting riding crop use, requiring a veterinary statement, and tightening medication windows to 48 hours — see what’s changing in 2026.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Sizzling eats meet entertainment: Four Smokes BBQ is now open at Paddock Market, bringing a family-owned hangout with friendly service. Dig into starters like Hog on a Honeymoon bacon and redneck nachos, plus chef specials from cowboy cut ribeye to honey bourbon salmon. Karaoke and live music add to the fun. Read the full story.
Go behind the scenes: The City of Ocala is now accepting applications for the free 2026 Citizens Academy. Sessions run weekly from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with graduation on June 16. Applicants must be 18 or older and commit to nine sessions. The application is available online. See how and when to apply.
Sweet nostalgia fix: Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop fills downtown shelves with nostalgic favorites, bulk scoops, and glass-bottle sodas that taste like Saturdays. It’s an instant mood boost, the sort of treat that makes errands feel suspiciously more fun.
Fresh home finds, fast: Living room feeling meh? The Carriage Trade Furniture makes it easy to snag high-end consigned furniture and decor without the price shock. Inventory moves quickly, so the right one-of-a-kind piece might just find you.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🏛 Museum Happening: February 24 @ Appleton Museum of Art | Tuesday (2/24) at 10:30 AM – Homeschoolers and independent students ages 6 to 9 take over the Appleton for a quest through the galleries. Meet an educator in the lobby, snag an activity sheet, and let them discover art while you practice the parent art of nodding thoughtfully, then reading labels.
🎨 Love Blooms Here Paint Party @ 1890 Tea House | Wednesday (2/25) at 4:00 PM – If your walls are begging for something sweeter than another family photo, head to the 1890s Tea House for a relaxed paint night and make a Love Blooms Here floral worth hanging. $35 covers supplies, a pre-traced 11×14 canvas, step-by-step help, and tea for purchase.
💭 Descriptions of Dreams-Disaster-Decisions: An Ocklawaha Retrospective @ Marion Cultural Alliance | Wednesday (2/25) at 5:00 PM – Take a cruise down the Old Ocklawaha with Captain Karen Chadwick, local artist, explorer. She’ll unpack the region’s history, from bold decisions to soggy disasters, including nearly 10,000 acres of wetlands and springs buried by floodwaters backed up by Rodman, sorry, Kirkpatrick Dam.
This weekend
🏷 Gigantic Garage Sale & Flea Market @ The Arc | Saturday (2/28) at 4:00 AM – Saturday at The ARC in Ocala means a gigantic garage sale and flea market where your neighbor’s junk becomes your treasure. Clean out the attic, grab a table, and set up, vendor spots are first come, first served. Apply via text 430-323-3241, or email [email protected].
🏃 Little Black Dress Fun Run 5k @ Baseline Road Trail Park | Saturday (2/28) at 9:00 AM – Think your little black dress is just for date nights? This 5K caps Junior League of Ocala’s Little Black Dress Initiative, where advocates wore the same outfit all week, and raises funds for Marion County neighbors, boosting education, confidence, and well-being. Run, chat, donate.
🐣 Easter Holiday Market @ Downtown Ocala Market | Sunday (3/1) at 12:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap plastic grass for actual spring, head to the Ocala Downtown Market’s Easter market with makers, food trucks, and live music. Kids hit the candy toss while you browse, eat, pose, and catch up.
🎶 Kristen Stoner and the Flutes of the Ocala Symphony @ Reilly Arts Center | Sunday (3/1) at 3:00 PM – Skip the couch and get face-to-face with Ocala Symphony’s flute dream team at the Reilly’s NOMA Black Box Theatre. Kristen Stoner leads a breezy, talk-and-play set with Dylan King, Emily Theobald, and Karissa McKinney, table seating for 4 or 6, and zero background-music vibes.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Ocala report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 61°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 0%
Patchy frost between 7am and 9am. Sunny. High near 61, with temperatures falling to around 60 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Widespread frost after midnight. Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Southwest wind around 3 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 71°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 0%
Widespread frost before 8am. Mostly sunny. High near 71, with temperatures falling to around 67 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 1 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
This house is wild
This 5-bed, 3.5-bath retreat lines the 13th fairway in Golden Ocala, wrapped in privacy and resort-worthy outdoor living. Retractable sliders link tray-ceiling interiors to a brick paver deck with pool, spa, and grill. A chef’s kitchen with butler’s pantry complements a dry bar and study. Split three-car garages and a drive add polish, with the World Equestrian Center nearby.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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