School is officially out, the heat is here to stay, and that can mean only one thing– June has officially arrived! In Ocala, there’s plenty of events, both inside and out, for you and the family to enjoy. Just remember to keep sunscreen on-hand and water near-by! The first full week of June is considered National Gardening Week, and is the perfect time to get down and dirty while planting your own garden. We advise taking a look at Florida-native plants to ensure that they thrive in the especially strong Florida sun! June is also Adopt a Cat Month, so if you’re ready to open your home to a new member, we hope you’ll consider taking a look at some sweet kitties available through the Marion County SPCA or local rescues!
June is also the month in which we can enjoy the following holidays: “National Cheese Day” on the 4th, “National Doughnut Day” on the 7th (although it will always be the first Friday of June), “Flag Day” on the 14th, “Father’s Day” on the 16th (always the third Sunday), and “Take Your Dog to Work Day” on the 21st (always the Friday after Father’s Day.)
Did you know?
• The birthstone of June are the pearl or the moonstone, an extremely rare gemstone that changes color based on its lighting!
• The June birth flower is the Rose, symbolizing love, gratitude, and appreciation! June also happens to be National Rose Month.
• The longest day of the year is in June, also called the Summer Solstice! This also marks the official beginning of summer.
June 1st
The Villages Balloon Festival | The Villages Polo Club | 6:30am – 9:30pm
Featuring hot air balloon flights, tethered balloon rides, entertainment as well as retail and arts and crafts vendors. Exciting new food offerings will be available in the “Fly Me to the Food” alley – refreshing beer and wine for sale in the “Bottoms Up Beer Garden”. For the younger crowds lots of free entertainment in The Kids Zone.
Yoga in the Park | Silver Springs State Park | 8:30am – First Saturday of Every Month
There is a small fee of for $2 Park Admission, as well as a $10 Participation Fee (Cash Only). The class will be led by Haley Miller, a Certified Instructor.
In order to participate in this program, one:
• Must have the ability to follow visual and/or verbal instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion.
• Must have the ability to withstand exposure to the outdoors for a period of up to 10 minutes.
• Must have the ability to perform physical movements that include standing, bending over, sitting on the ground, supporting self on hands and knees, placing body weight on hands and knees, laying on the front and back of the body.
Ocala Downtown Market | Downtown Ocala | 9:00am – 2:00pm
Come out to enjoy a celebration of local produce, crafts, and food trucks! Just around the corner from the square, the open-air market pavilion hosts a wide variety of local and regional vendors offering unique and quality products. 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 Ocala, Marion County, and beyond.
June 2nd
Ranger Program | Silver Springs State Park | 2:00pm Every Sunday
You’re invited to take part in a park ranger program. Topics vary with each program offering an opportunity to learn something new about Silver Springs State Park and Florida’s unique environment. The program is free with park admission.
Enter through the Silver Springs State Park main entrance located at 5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard (State Road 40).
June 7th
Couch Sessions: Featuring Shema Shine & David D’Alessandris | SpringHill Suites Ocala | 7:30pm – 10:00pm
Held at Ocala’s newest luxury hotel, Springhill Inn and Suites, your senses will ignite with an intimate evening of music and art. Musician Shema Shine will perform her catalog of original and cover songs while award-winning artist David D’Alessandris paints live and has his artwork on display for purchase. Seating is very limited for this intimate concert. Your $35 ticket includes seating for the performance, a commemorative ‘Couch Sessions 2019’ t-shirt, and your first drink is on us! Doors open and pre-music fun begins at 7:30 PM with David’s art for sale and showcase, and music and live painting at 8:00 PM.
Program in the Parks- Nature Games & Tracking | Tuscawilla Park | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
These free natural resource programs are for all ages, presented by your city park rangers. Enjoy nature-related outdoor games and fun animal tracking activities.
Travelogue: Grand Destinations & Personal Journeys | Marion Cultural Alliance | 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Enjoy June’s exhibit, wine and light hors d’oeuvres as we celebrate our members. MCA Artist members will showcase their love of traveling through a variety of mediums. This exhibit will be on view at The Brick for the month of June (June 7 through June 29, 2019).
For more information, check out the official Call to Artists website. Questions? Please contact Gallery Director, Ashley Justiniano at ashley.justiniano@mcaocala.com
First Friday Art Walk | Downtown Ocala | 6:00pm – 9:00pm First Friday of Every Month
The First Friday Art Walk takes place the first Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. First Friday Art Walk is a free event located within Ocala’s historic downtown. Event festivities include over 30 artist displays, monthly live entertainment, free family art activities provided by local arts organizations and extended shopping hours. The public is invited to enjoy an evening of art, live performances, and downtown shops and restaurants. Pick up your map on the square and take a self-guided tour of local artists displaying their works for sale in front of our downtown business. Stop to take in the performing artists stationed along the way.
Healthcare Networking Mixer | Paddock Ridge | 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Network with other Clinicians, Healthcare Entrepreneurs, and Healthcare Professionals in your area in a fun and relaxed environment. We will also be spotlighting selected Companies that offer beneficial services to Clinicians, Healthcare Professionals, and Healthcare Businesses.
Free Admission: Each registrant will receive 1 Drink Ticket and 1 Prize Raffle Ticket.
Premium $15 Ticket: Each registrant will receive 3 Drink Tickets and 2 Prize Raffle Tickets.
VIP $35 Ticket: Each registrant will receive Dinner, an Unlimited Drinks bracelet, and 3 Prize Raffle Tickets.
*Please be aware that there will be no Cash Bar – only Drink Tickets will be accepted.*
Male Intellect: An Oxymoron? | Reilly Arts Center | 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Brace yourself, ladies. This is how men think. An international comedic phenomenon! Described by The New York Times as “Hilarious… a one-man tour de force!” it is hands down one of the funniest solo shows you will ever see. On a quest to answer the age-old question, “What do women want?” Robert Dubac seamlessly transforms himself into five hysterical boneheads who each offer sidesplitting advice on how to straddle the gender gap – all while drinking a beer. Men and women from eighteen to eighty laugh non-stop as THE MALE INTELLECT nudges the battle of the sexes towards a humorous détente with everyone lovingly elbowing each other in the end with laughter and recognition. Hailed by critics and audiences alike: “THE MALE INTELLECT: AN OXYMORON? is a rare thing; a clever combination of theater and stand-up comedy that is laugh-out-loud funny, provocative and insightful all at once. There are two types of people who should rush and see it – men and women!” – The Providence Journal
June 8th
Ocala Plog Event | Fort King Municipal Tennis Courts | 7:30am
Be part of the solution this World Oceans Day by participating in the Ocala Plog event. Plogging is an activity that originated in Sweden in 2016 which combines jogging with picking up litter. By intercepting the litter and plastic waste before it makes its way to our drains, waterways, and ocean, plogging is a fun and engaging way to stop the flow of plastic pollution. Join us on June 8 as we take a 3 mile jog around Ocala and pick up litter in the process. We will meet at the Fort King Municipal Tennis Courts.
Fathers Day Grill Off | The Windsor of Ocala | 7:30am
Join us for this special Father’s Day Event in which some of the best local businesses compete for your vote in an exciting Grill-Off competition hosted by the Windsor of Ocala. Event proceeds will be donated to the Humane Society of Marion County. Bring your family and friends, and get ready to EAT!
Cracker Village Tour | Silver River Museum | 10:00am – 11:00am
Come and discover what life was like at the turn of the century in the Florida “piney woods.” The cracker homestead is a replica of a 19th century pioneer settlement. This collection of buildings represents a small “Cracker” settlement dating to the 1890s. A typical homestead of the time would have included a cabin and outbuildings such as a barn, pantry, smokehouse, and outhouse. Schoolhouses, churches, and blacksmith shops would have been found in settlements that homesteaders visited to attend social gatherings and barter for supplies. During the tour, these buildings will be open for viewing and on most tours the blacksmith’s forge will be fired up. Meet at the Cracker Village across from the Silver River museum.
Enter the park through the camping & museum entrance, 1425 NE 58th Avenue, (also known as State Road 35 or Baseline Rd.) to access the Silver River Museum. For information on the tour, please call 352-236-7148.
Muffins, Mimosas, & Massages | Thrive Chiropractic Ocala | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Grab your girl friends and get away for a morning of indulgence! Enjoy mimosas, some sweet treats, chair massages AND check out some amazing Jewelry from a World changing company called Noonday Collection!
June 9th
Garden Tour | Silver River State Park | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Join a park ranger for information about the gardens’ history, learn about the different seasonal flowers and blooms, as well as about pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. The tour passes through the following gardens: Courtyard Garden, Crossroads Garden, Camellia Garden, Fire & Water Garden, and the tour ends at the Wildflower Garden. After the tour, visitors are free to continue exploring the garden pathways and trails or walk back along the river.
Ocala-fornia Vineyard Sip & Style | The Wandering Soul | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Come experience some of my favorite things from my recent trip to California…Ocala style! We will be setting up a vineyard style picnic to nosh on including famous sourdough baguettes flown in from Boudin Bakery in San Francisco and 6 different wines from V. Sattui Winery, voted Winery of the Year in the Annual Winemakers Challenge. The store will be stocked with new clothing, jewelry and accessories all at 25% off during the picnic. Come taste, sip and find your summer style!
June 10th
Equine Summer Program | CF Vintage Farm | 9:00am – 12:00pm | June 10-13 |
The camp will introduce students to the world of equine science. Students with a passion for horses will improve their confidence, knowledge and experience around horses while gaining insight into the multi-faceted world of equine science. Students will be introduced to the variety of international equine sports that are represented in Ocala as well as the relationship between these activities and the supporting industry that accounts for almost a quarter of the local economy. Riding lessons are not part of the curriculum. Registration fee is $130.
For more information call, 352-873-5855
June 11th
City of Ocala Town Hall Meeting | Reilly Arts Center | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
At these meetings, residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and engage with one or more Ocala City Council members and the Mayor in an open forum setting. Topics covered during these meetings will be limited to those within the jurisdiction of the City of Ocala. Residents are encouraged to attend and participate in the conversation.
For more information, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 352-401-3977.
Four Roses Bartender Competition | Brick City Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar | 7:00pm – 10:00pm
CALLING ALL BARTENDERS!!!!
Come out and showcase your craft cocktail skills in the Four Roses Bartender Championship. Battle against Central Florida’s Best Bartenders and have the chance to win some INCREDIBLE prizes from Four Roses.
This event is open to the public and will be held at Brick City Southern Kitchen and Whiskey Bar. Compete or support your favorite bartender while sipping on some one-of-kind Four Roses inspired cocktails. After the winner is revealed, stick around and enjoy live music by Chris McNeil.
June 14th
After Dark in the Park Movie | Tuscawilla Park | 8:45pm
Ocala Recreation and Parks will host After Dark in the Park Movie Series. Popcorn, hot dogs and drinks available for a small fee. Remember to bring your lawn chairs and blankets! This month, the movie will be “The Princess Bride” *Movie titles subject to change.
Dueling Pianos at the Lodge | The Lodge Ocala | 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Come down for a sing-a-long clap-a-long good time with all your favorite songs. Your musicians will be taking your requests for three hours! THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT AS WE ONLY HAVE 95 TICKETS AVAILABLE!
ONLINE PRE-SALE:
– $15 GA admission with 1 complimentary beer.
– $30 GA admission with all you can drink domestic beers.
* +$5 more night of at the door.
– FULL FOOD MENU AVAILABLE
– FULL BAR + 200 CRAFT BEERS & WINES
* Does not guarantee a table, tables are first come. No RSVP. Large parties please contact us to accommodate. 21+ Only.
Complimentary valet parking available on the square.
June 15th
Brunch, Bourbon & Beer Fest | Paddock Mall | 12:00pm – 4:00pm
On Saturday, June 15th, 2019 the Paddock Mall will be hosting Marion County’s first annual Brunch, Bourbon, and Beer Fest. The event will be held from 12:00PM-4:00PM in center court of the Paddock Mall. For $15 a ticket guests will get to experience some of the hottest brunch dishes in our community. We will also have bourbon and beer sampling included with the price of tickets. The event will feature live music, games, raffles, and prizes. Details about VIP tickets coming soon!
We are partnering with Hop Stop, the creators of Pi on Broadway and Infinte Ale Works as well as the Transitions Life Center, a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to provide a safe, caring and enriching community for intellectually disabled adults.
June 17th
City of Ocala Town Hall Meeting | Reilly Arts Center | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
At these meetings, residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and engage with one or more Ocala City Council members and the Mayor in an open forum setting. Topics covered during these meetings will be limited to those within the jurisdiction of the City of Ocala. Residents are encouraged to attend and participate in the conversation.
For more information, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 352-401-3977.
June 23rd
Pack Walk | Silver Springs State Park | 10:00am
In partnership with the Marion County Animal Services, Silver Springs State Park presents an opportunity to make a difference in the life of a shelter dog. You’re invited to join volunteers and park staff as we walk a pack of well-behaved dogs through the park’s gardens and trails. This program gives the animals exercise and the chance to socialize with other dogs and other people. All of the dogs are available for long-term adoption but you can also “adopt” a dog for the morning and take it for a walk with the group. For just a small investment of time, you can make a huge difference in the life of a shelter dog. Hikers and walkers are welcome to join the group, even if they don’t want to hold a leash. Please note: only visitors 16 years and older may walk a shelter dog.
Held the fourth Sunday of the month. The Pack Walk begins at 10 a.m.
Enter through the Silver Springs State Park main entrance located at 5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard (State Road 40).
The Pack Walk is free with paid park admission.
June 25th
Pet Photo Shoot Fundraiser for the Humane Society of Marion County | Infinite Ale Works | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Book a photo shoot for your pet to support Humane Society of Marion County at Infinite Ale Works in Ocala, FL. Sign up your pup. The cost will be $60
Don’t see an event that peeks your interest?
Take a look at these additional resources for even more local activities and events in our area.
