March 2nd
First Friday Art Walk | Downtown Ocala | 6 PM-9 PM
Every year, the First Friday Art Walk occurs from 6 PM-9 PM on the first Friday of every month from September until May. Located within Ocala’s historic downtown, event festivities include over 40 artist’s displays, acoustic entertainment, free family art activities, and extended shopping hours.
The Irish Comedy Tour takes the atmosphere of a Dublin pub and combines it with a boisterous band of hooligans. The comedians, whose ancestors hail from the Emerald Isle, include Detroit native Derek Richards; Boston-born Mike McCarthy; Nova Scotia’s Damon Leibert; and from Inchicore, Ireland, Derrick Keane.
March 3rd
Habitat Strawberry Festival | McPherson Government Complex | 8 AM-6 PM
Habitat Strawberry Festival is a signature fundraising event to raise funds to build a home for a family from Marion County. The festival offers arts & crafts vendors, farmers’ market, nonprofit vendors, business vendors, food vendors, a car show, and much more.
Come discover native birds at this free, morning nature hike presented by the Marion Audubon Society. For more information, please visit www.ocalafl.org/recpark or call 352-368-5535.
The Ocala Downtown Market is the place where a diverse array of farmers, artisans, craftspeople, and food trucks come together to sell their products to customers from Marion County, and beyond. The Market is held on Fridays from 3 PM until 7 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM until 2 PM.
Join us for Ocala’s favorite “food and philanthropy” event, hosted by the College of Central Florida Foundation. The 30th annual event will feature a social hour, live music, and culinary delights from local restaurants vying for “Best of Taste.”
March 6th
Ocala Winter Finals VIII | HITS Post Time Farm
The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit offers exhibitors 10 consecutive weeks of shows with two additional weeks of USEF-Rated shows—the Ocala Holiday Series—in mid-December. The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit culminates each March with the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix.
March 7th
Partners of the Park Jumper Show | Florida Horse Park | 8 AM – 3 PM
Partners of the Park is a volunteer organization of equestrians and equestrian enthusiasts dedicated to delivering a variety of schooling, dressage, and hunter-jumper shows for riders and spectators alike. Profits go toward building a better horse park for everyone to enjoy.
March 8th
Inaugural International Women’s Day Celebration | Thu Mar 8, 2018 | 5:00 PM
The first Inaugural Women’s Day Celebration will bring together women in Marion County for a celebration of the many contributions, strengths and talents in our community. Women are encouraged to bring their daughters to this free community event. Refreshments compliments of Mojo’s Grill and Catering.
March 9th
Santos Fat Tire Festival | Santos Trailhead | March 9-11 | Times Vary
The Santos Fat Tire Bike Expo is the largest collection of bicycle manufacturers and bike shops in Florida and the southeast. This year over 50 companies will be represented with mountain and road bikes, accessories, and clothing. Professionally-led cycling skills clinics are available by Take Aim Cycling.
Fri, Mar 9, 2018 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sat, Mar 10, 2018 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sun, Mar 11, 2018 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a T-bird or a Pink Lady, but never quite felt cool enough to pull it off? Well, now is your chance to don those pink jackets, grease up those coiffes and let your inhibitions go for an evening where YOU are the stars! Remember – GREASE is the word!
March 10th
WIND FM Rocks the Reilly | Reilly Arts Center | 7:30 PM-9:30 PM
Join WIND-FM as we rewind to the 70’s – 80’s to see the Rolling Stones in their prime, featuring The U.S. Stones! This is an 8-piece band with keys, horns, and more-just like the real thing! It’s an amazing full-sounding Rolling Stones event that will blow you away, hit after hit.
March 13th
Ocala Winter Celebration IX | HITS Post Time Farm |
The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit offers exhibitors 10 consecutive weeks of shows with two additional weeks of USEF-Rated shows—the Ocala Holiday Series—in mid-December. The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit culminates each March with the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix.
March 15th
Jim Breuer Live at Reilly Arts Center | Reilly Arts Center | 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Jim Breuer is returning to the Reilly! Named one of Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time,” Breuer is one of the most recognizable comedians in the business, known for his charismatic stage antics, dead-on impressions, and family-friendly stand-up.
The Winter Series Horse Trials will feature many of the nation’s top eventers in an exciting three-day competition. Don’t miss some of the biggest names in eventing sport!
Entering the 27th year of hosting the Live Oak International, this tournament is the largest Combined Driving and Show Jumping equine event of its kind in the country and features some of the leading drivers, riders, trainers, coaches and owners from Europe and North America in both disciplines.
March 17th
Reddick BBQ Festival | Friendship Baptist Church | March 17-18 | 8AM – 4 PM
Great barbecue! Live music! Huge yard sale! Fun for the whole family!
The grand finale of the evening is ‘The Ring’, a fantasy story of Love, Romance, Greed and Power based on Wagner’s Ring cycle. Many know the story from the popular movie, ‘The Hobbit’, which was loosely based on Wagner’s Ring cycle.
Rodeos take place on Saturday and Sunday mornings starting at 9:30 am with the Grand Entry. Cowboy church is at 8:00 am on Sundays. Points are kept throughout the year to determine the champion in each event and awards are given out at the State Finals and Banquet in May.
March 18th
Pickin’ In the Park | Silver Springs State Park | 1 PM
Come enjoy local and visiting musicians perform acoustic music in a scenic area near the springs. Instruments usually include a banjo, guitar, fiddle, upright bass, and accordion. They may vary from month to month. Feel free to bring your own instrument and join in or just listen and enjoy.
March 20th
Ocala Championship X | HITS Post Time Farm | March 20th-25th
The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit offers exhibitors 10 consecutive weeks of shows with two additional weeks of USEF-Rated shows—the Ocala Holiday Series—in mid-December. The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit culminates each March with the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix.
March 23rd
Southeastern Pro Rodeo | Southeastern Livestock Pavilion | March 23rd -24th | 7 PM-10 PM
Pro Rodeo action returns to the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion with the 25th Annual Southeastern Pro Rodeo on March 23rd & 24th, 2018. Get ready for two jam-packed performances filled with exciting competition.
March 24th
Nature Hike With David | Silver Springs State Park | 8 AM
Take a guided hike on the 3rd Saturday of each month, September through May, and learn about the flora and fauna of North Central Florida. David Rakes is an experienced and knowledgeable naturalist with a broad understanding of the natural communities surrounding the Silver River.
Epic films will come to life in this one-night concert. This multimedia experience includes the Ocala Symphony Orquestra performing the scores to your favorite feature films while a visual presentation is projected above the orchestra.
Marion Saddle Club will host its 60th anniversary at the Florida Horse Park. The 2018 show dates are March 24th, June 9th, August 25, Sept 15th and Dec 1st. Schooling will be open on the Friday before the show starting at 12 p.m.
March 25th
$1 Million Grand Prix | HITS Post-Time Farm |
The moment horse country has been waiting for is here with the thrilling conclusion to the entire HITS Winter Circuit, begun in January. Don’t miss the biggest hunter-jumper competition of the year!
March 31st
HITS Ocala Triathalon | Carney Island Recreation and Conservation Area |
Named as an Editor’s Pick for one of the Best United States’ Triathlons by Triathlete Magazine, HITS Ocala is one of the most popular HITS Triathlon Series races. The famed Carney Island Park will be home to this third stop on the HITS Triathlon Series circuit.