Happy Tuesday, Ocala. In today’s edition: Holiday community day, Christmas with the Nelsons, assisted living facility sale, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Key Reed Place acquisition: Ocala is considering buying 10.49 acres next to the Mary Sue Rich Community Center to advance west Ocala revitalization, with an $807,000 deal set for council review on December 2 — read the full story.

Revisions to incentive deal: Ocala City Council was scheduled Dec. 2 to vote on a $2.9 million incentive package for revitalizing Hotel Marion, including a parking lot transfer, a CRA grant, and waived fees — see what’s in the package.

Buyer, location, and rates: Brentwood at Fore Ranch, an Ocala assisted living and memory support facility, sold for $14.84 million to Ocala AL Propco LLC on November 24, among Marion County’s biggest 2025 deals — get all the details.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Seratones energize Sunset Songs finale
• Golf Cart Christmas Parade supports foster kids
• Shop women-owned at Girls Night Out
• Experience 1800s life at Fort King
• Tee off at Golden Ocala for charity
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Know before you go: Ocala is bringing history to life at Fort King this weekend. The free Festival at Fort King runs Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with 1800s camps, demos, and a reenactment of the attack that sparked the Second Seminole War. Expect live Florida folk by 7 Lbs. of Bacon, food trucks, and cannon fire. Get the schedule and parking info.

Participating drop-off locations listed: Marion County’s Bring the Harvest Home holiday drive is underway. Through Dec. 4, drop nonperishables and household goods at county sites, or donate at Ocala Downtown Square on Dec. 5, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations support local pantries and groups like Brother’s Keeper, Interfaith, Veterans Helping Veterans, and the Salvation Army. See what’s accepted and where.

Serious burrito night: When you need a no-drama dinner, Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant & Market rolls burritos just the way you want them, stuffed and satisfying, with steak, carnitas, pastor, barbacoa, lengua, or veggie options. Upgrade from meh to a proper, warm wrap of joy.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🛍️ Swap Meet @ First Responders Rec Center | Tuesday (12/2) at 1:00pm – Whether you finally tamed the craft closet or need fresh loot, this swap meet is your chance to buy, sell, or trade tools, supplies, and finished pieces. Label your treasures, bring small bills, and guard your stash. Fun with Art just hosts, not profits.

🛠️ AFINS Workshop @ Sumter County Clerk of Court Villages Annex | Tuesday (12/2) at 2:30pm – Bring your coffee and your questions. This workshop welcomes families who want real tools, local resources, and a supportive crew for the IDD community. Think less lecture, more neighbors trading what actually works, plus a little hope, and zero jargon.

🎭 A Tuna Christmas @ Ocala Civic Theatre | Wednesday (12/3) at 7:30 pm – Saddle up for a holiday hootenanny as two actors whip through the entire cast of Tuna, Texas faster than you can say “y’alltide.” This crowd-pleasing comedy is big on charm, bigger on characters, and stuffed with small-town chaos.

🛒 Holiday Shopping @ Highpoint at Stonecrest | Friday (12/5) at 10:00am – If your gift list is longer than a snow day car line, this is your shortcut. Stroll a room of local vendors with pretty tables, fresh baked goods, and hot cocoa, then follow Santa’s map for prize tickets, bragging rights, and effortless holiday cheer.

🎮 Riftbound Weekly Nexus Night Event @ Bearded Browncoat Comics & Games | Friday (12/5) at 6:00pm – Weekly Nexus Night at Riftbound is your low-stress fix, five bucks at the door, and actual conversation that does not involve yelling over a cover band. Expect casual matches, good-natured ribbing, and bragging rights you can dine out on all week.

This weekend

🤝 Holiday Community Day @ Appleton Museum of Art | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Rolling in on Free First Saturday, Community Day delivers free admission, a Dickens exhibit, crafts, face painting, and Santa selfies with a free printed pic. Stroll the community trees, catch dance performances, then reward your patience with food trucks, flowers, and feel-good vendors.

✨ Light Up Lake Lillian 2025 @ Lake Lillian | Saturday (12/6) at 2:00pm – Lake Lillian is getting its glow-up, and yes, the lights are legit this year. Bring the crew for live music, Santa, crafty chaos for the kids, and a vendor stroll, then bribe everyone with food trucks. Letters to Santa get actual replies.

🎄 Christmas with the Nelsons @ Orange Blossom Opry | Saturday (12/6) at 2:30pm – If Ozzie and Harriet reruns ever shared your living room, this is your holiday encore. Matthew and Gunnar Nelson spin Christmas classics the family way, with sibling harmonies, quick comedy, and big-screen nostalgia, more sleigh ride through time than rock show.

🚗 Downtown Golf Cart Christmas Parade @ Ocala City Hall | Saturday (12/6) at 4:00pm – Take a break from holiday errands and watch downtown fill with decked-out golf carts, starting at City Hall and rolling to the Square. Free to spectate, family friendly, and proudly small-town. Proceeds support The Fostering Foundation, and details live at ocalamainstreet.org/parade.

🎶 A Timeless Christmas with the Lettermen @ Orange Blossom Opry | Sunday (12/7) at 7:00pm – Consider this your holiday palate cleanser: The Lettermen bring those buttery three-part harmonies for a Timeless Christmas, the kind that makes you text your high-school sweetheart, or at least hum The Way You Look Tonight. Expect nostalgia, impeccable suits, and goosebumps.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 Double Board Bomb Pot Bounty @ Oxford Downs – 6:15 pm
• 12/3 Green Chip Bounty @ Oxford Downs – 3:15 pm
• 12/6 Big O @ Oxford Downs – 12:15 pm
• 12/7 Champagne Brunch @ Hilton Ocala – 11 am
• 12/8 Night NLH Turbo @ Oxford Downs – 6:15 pm
• 12/9 Joint Club Holiday Party @ Laurel Manor Rec Center – 6 pm