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Downtown To-Dos MAR. 4, 11, 18, 25: After Dark in the Park at Tuscawilla Park, 7-10pm MAR. 4: First Friday Art Walk in downtown Ocala, 6-9pm MAR. 12: Discovery Center Engineering Day 7am-3pm MAR. 12: Family Fun Day at Tuscawilla Park, 10am-2pm MAR. 12: Sculpture Stroll Celebration at Tuscawilla Park, 1-4pm
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Sweets For Your Sweet… Tooth!
Bummed because you missed taking your sweetheart to the 4th Annual Cupcake Wars? Well you now have a second chance to indulge on these mini masterpieces. The original event had to be rescheduled and will now take place at Jumbolair this month. The cupcake-crazy cook-off pits amateur and professional bakers head to head in a sugary battle. Contestants will be vying for the titles of Top Taste, Decoration, Creative Theme, People’s Choice and more! Attendees can taste and purchase these cutest of cakes, and junior bakers can also participate in this year’s new addition—the Kids’ Cupcake Challenge. The event runs 10am-2pm, and proceeds benefit Victory Academy. victoryacademyocala.com or (352) 615-8219.
Jazz it Up!
Tuscawilla Park will be the center of soul come Apr. 2. The 3rd Annual Jazz on the Green will kick off at 2pm as part of Tuscawilla Park’s centennial celebration. Along with international recording artists like Eric Darius and Marcus Anderson, some of Ocala’s top talent will also be performing throughout the event. And a soul-inspired menu of BBQ, seafood and more will keep attendees’ hunger at bay. There will also be a full marketplace featuring arts, crafts, souvenirs, games and more. Proceeds benefit KidGenius, a nonprofit organization addressing the needs of autistic children and their caregivers. Gates open at 1pm rain or shine. jazzonthegreenocala.com or (352) 239-8436.
MAR. 26: Family Faith and Fun on the Downtown Square, 10am-3pm
THE ST. PADDY’S DAY 5K is Race #6 AND a SUPER RACE in the BHRS!
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Ride em’ Cowboy!
25-26 Dust off those cowboy boots, and shine up your spurs. The 23rd annual Southeastern Pro Rodeo brings the coolest of cowboys and meanest and mightiest of bulls to the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion for two days of nonstop action. Bucking broncos, steer wrestling and barrel racing are just some of the events slated for this year’s event. Friday is Kids’ Day featuring a special “Justin Boot Easter Egg Scramble.” Plus, don your prettiest pink western wear in support of breast cancer awareness for “Pink Night at The Rodeo.” Gates open at 5:30pm each night with action kicking off at 7:30pm. ocalarodeo.com or (352) 401-5900.
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SUPER RACE SUPER RACE SUPER RACE SUPER RACE
6th RACE: 6th RACE:
SUPER RACE
Leaping Leprechauns! Or, should we say, running leprechauns! It’s time once again for the annual St. Paddy’s Day 5K. This annual event is hosted by the Youth 6th RACE: historic United Way and winds runners through the beautiful streetsBHRS of Ocala's district. For runners entered in the Big Hammock Race Series, this marks the fourth and final Super Race. Race day registration and packet pickup will begin at 6:30am with the race kicking off on the downtown square at 8am. Early packet pickup will be on Mar. 18 at Palm Chevrolet from 9am-6pm. The Big Hammock Race Series includes seven topnotch events right here in Ocala. Runners earn points at each race to earn a special series-end medal. The Super Races award extra points toward a special medal. The races included are some area favorites, including the Turkey Trot and Reindeer Run, and the Super Races include Ocala’s very own certified marathon and half-marathon that took place this past January. bighammockraceseries.com or (352) 304-3217.
6th RACE:
RUN THIS RACE TO COMPETE FOR DOUBLE POINTS!
6th RACE:
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SUPER RACE
Running Shoes and Shamrocks
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Seeds, Plants and Pods
For those born with a green thumb or those only wishing they were, the annual Marion County Master Gardeners’ Spring Festival has everything you need to know about planting, sowing and pruning. This two-day gardening extravaganza will feature Q&As with master gardeners, lectures, seminars, vendors MAR and so much more. A kids’ 12-13 gardening zone will help the littlest green thumbs hone their skills. The event takes place at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion and Extension Auditorium with doors opening at 8am on Mar. 12 and 9am on Mar. 13. (352) 671-8400.
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Black Ties & Tiaras
Come dressed to impress at the 30th Annual Tiara Ball held at the Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. Presented by the Ocala Royal Dames, proceeds from this annual event go toward funding projects for cancer research. Last year, the signature event raised over $120,000 and helped fund a highly effective new cancer treatment. Be prepared to be swept away on a tour of princely palaces with this year’s theme, “Majesty, An Evening of Royal Palaces.” Tickets are $125, and doors open at 6:30pm. ocalaroyaldames.org or (352) 216-2232 or (352) 509-3370.