Good morning, Ocala.

Skateboarding legend Rodney Mullen will celebrate the Ocala Skate Park expansion at the grand opening on Saturday, Mar.

28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 517 NE Ninth St; a free Bones Brigade screening (Q&A at 6:30 p.m.) will run from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Marion Theatre.

Ocala Main Street invites the community to honor Newt Perry with a Walk of Fame plaque unveiling on Feb.

24 at the Marion Theatre. The free event will begin at noon and feature a short program, film screenings, and a special exhibit at Heart of the Park.

Marion County leaders extended the mandatory burn ban for seven days through next Tuesday in response to regional wildfires.

The move comes as eight counties in North Central Florida enforce similar bans.

Inspections done Feb.

9-15 show some Marion County restaurants in Ocala earned perfect scores, while others have high-priority health violations that need follow-up reviews (they are not an immediate threat).

Theme park crowd calendars show that spring break in Florida will be busiest from late February until early May, so visitors planning trips to Disney, Universal, and other parks may want to look for less crowded dates online.

Local travelers are advised to check updated schedules to plan their breaks.

Vanguard High School's undefeated girls soccer team lost 5-1 to Bishop Kenny in the Region 1-4A title game on Feb.

17 at Jacksonville's Bishop Kenny High School. The loss ended a 21-0 season as five seniors graduate and 15 players are set to return next season.

Ocala native Brittany Bowe led Team USA speedskaters to a fourth place finish in the women’s team pursuit event on Tuesday with a time of 3:02.00; she raced with teammates Mia Manganello & Greta Myers and will next compete in the 1500m race.

Ocala-area sports fans can vote on 27 Athlete of the Week nominees—featuring baseball, basketball, soccer and lacrosse standouts—until Friday at noon; nominations come from MaxPreps data and submissions by coaches and athletic directors, highlighting performances from Feb.

9-14.

Candlelight: Tribute to Adele

8:30-9:29 PM — Ocala Civic Theatre, Inc. — $31.44 — Experience the soulful music of Adele illuminated by candlelight in a unique atmosphere.

10th Annual VOCAL Furball: A Western Extravaganza

6-10 p.m. — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Ticket required — A whimsical night of Western style and heartfelt giving for Marion County's cats and dogs.

Burnyzz Gatornationals FanFest 2026

6-9 p.m. — Burnyzz — Vehicle registration $10 early, $15 day of show — Celebrate the Gatornationals with live music, driver autographs, and family-friendly activities.

L.E.A.F. Series: Spring Gardens Workshop

10:30 a.m. — Sholom Park — Free — Get hands-on guidance for preparing and planting your spring garden in this interactive workshop.

Latino Festival

11 AM – 6 PM — Ocala Citizens' Circle — Free entry — Celebrate Latin American culture with music, food, and handicrafts.

Candlelight Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

4-7 p.m. — Ocala Civic Theatre, Inc. — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical candlelight concert showcasing the legendary music of Queen and The Beatles.

The Ocala Boat Show

11 a.m. – 7 p.m. — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Exclusive boat show savings — Discover the latest models from MasterCraft, Barletta, and Tidewater with expert guidance for your next adventure.

Irish Eyes are Mile'ing 5K

8 a.m. — Ocala Citizens' Circle — $30 early entry fee — Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a 5K run supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Live On Stage: Steel Magnolias

2-4 PM — Ocala Civic Theatre, Inc. — Price info not provided — Experience heartfelt laughter in a vibrant Louisiana beauty salon.

Marion County Fair at I-75 Flea Market

4-11 p.m. — i-75 Flea Market-Vallejo Eventos — $5 admission — Experience family-friendly rides, games, live music, and thrilling circus acts at this annual community fair.