Daily
Ocala
Sunday, March 1st, 2026
Good morning, Ocala. Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 1st of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company will implement new safety rules for the 2026 under-tack shows, including riding crop restrictions plus a mandatory veterinary statement for all horses, with the March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training scheduled for March 10-12 and shows from March 4-7. Ocala-News
- ➤ Local resident Thomas Willis calls for better entertainment options and improved infrastructure to support Ocala’s growing family base, noting that current amenities push residents elsewhere. He urges local officials to embrace change (timely action) for a thriving community. Ocala-News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The final employees at the former Silver Springs Bottled Water facility in Ocala will leave in March, ending nearly 40 years of operation since its September 2025 acquisition by Niagara Bottling (located at 2445 NW 42nd Street). A WARN filing showed 85 total terminations following previous layoffs. Ocala-News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Newton 'Newt' Perry was honored with a star on the downtown Walk of Fame Tuesday, Feb. 24 in front of the historic Marion Theatre. The event celebrated his legacy in aquatic filmmaking and local swim education and followed a proclamation declaring Jan. 6 as Newton Perry Day. Ocala-News
- ➤ TV20 employees reflected on the life of co-founder Joan Minshall—a broadcasting pioneer who shaped local media and left a lasting legacy on the station. Their memories underscore her early influence on the community. WCJB
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Stephanie Brown, a teacher at Eighth Street Elementary, was named Amazing Teacher of the Month by Florida Credit Union and the Ocala Star-Banner today. Brown, celebrated by Principal Ryan Bennett (here for the kids), has taught for 25 years and uses creative lessons to inspire students. Ocala StarBanner
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Volunteers from Our Santa Fe River worked on Saturday to manually pull invasive water hyacinth from the river to protect native plants and water quality amid drought conditions. Local Boy Scout Troop 88 participated and the nonprofit plans another cleanup event in the coming months. WCJB
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Photographers captured moments from the 14th annual Run For The Springs 5K held yesterday at Silver Springs State Park — local runners celebrated the community event with enthusiasm. Ocala StarBanner
- ➤ On Friday, Feb. 27, the Ocala Vanguard baseball team played an FHSAA game at Newberry High School — key plays like stolen bases by Jordan Pinkerton stood out during the contest. Ocala StarBanner
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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.
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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.
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Latino Festival
11 AM – 6 PM — Ocala Citizens' Circle — Free entry — Celebrate Latin American culture with music, food, and handicrafts.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Park After Dark: Musical Mosaic Featuring Gypsy Sparrow
5:15-6:15 p.m. — Sholom Park — $20 per person — Experience a dynamic concert with Gypsy Sparrow performing classic hits across the decades.
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Tara Cannistraci Stand-Up Comedy Show
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Marion Theatre — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of Bronx-born humor from Italian-American comedian Tara Cannistraci.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Ocala
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