Good morning, Ocala.

Ocala Cultural Arts is hosting the Sand and Sun Festival this Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Citizens’ Circle in downtown.

The family-friendly, free event will feature professional sand sculptors, a sandcastle playground, live music and food trucks — offering a beach experience in the city.

Ocala Civic Theatre hosts its Ovation Awards & cast party on May 30 to honor volunteers and scholarship winners.

The event starts with a cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m. followed by an awards show, video highlights, and a Broadway dance party; tickets are $15 at the box office.

Budget talks over education funding began May 12 as the House and Senate remain divided over spending for 14 public universities and K-12 schools — the House's $8.9 billion plan is about $106 million below the Senate's proposal.

Construction is nearly finished at the new South Marion High School on SW 165th Street in Ocala as the district prepares to open the campus this fall.

The 363,000 sqft facility will serve over 2,000 students with classrooms, labs, a 2,000-seat stadium, and specialized programs.

Patrick Liam Lucaric from Belleview High School in Ocklawaha was awarded a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship as he pursues astrophysics; he was chosen from over 15,000 finalists nationwide and the award was announced this week by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Horse Farms Forever will host a free workshop and expo on May 20 at 1 p.m. at the Circle Square Cultural Center to offer landowners practical tools + funding options for preserving land, with an evening program featuring a keynote and film screening on conservation strategies.

Rochelle Kelly Wristen was named executive director of Hospice of Marion County Foundation on May 13 — she will launch a listening tour with community leaders while overseeing three hospice houses and dementia care programs, and brings 14 years of nonprofit and hospice experience to strengthen local care services.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County urges families to review water safety guidelines this National Water Safety Month as summer nears.

Officials stress constant supervision for children and warn of algae blooms (a known risk in open waters).

Months after the FDA lifted its strongest safety warning, hormone replacement therapy is in high demand as doctors recommend estrogen patches to ease menopause symptoms.

Local pharmacies may see shortages soon, so women under 60 and within 10 years of menopause are urged to discuss treatment options with their doctors.

Golden Ocala Equestrian Land LLC, owned by the Roberts family, purchased a 13.4-acre parcel along NW 100th Avenue for $1.2 million on Thursday, April 30.

The deal adds to recent multi-million dollar acquisitions that expand the World Equestrian Center near its campus.

Ocala native and speed skating icon Brittany Bowe, who retired after the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, delivered a commencement speech at FAU that celebrated her record-setting career + announced her plans to start mindset coaching.

Grand Prix May Dressage Dining Experience

8-11 a.m. — The Equestrian Hotel Terrace — $145 per person — Delight in brunch while world-class dressage athletes compete in the Grand Outdoor Arena.

Grand Prix May Dressage Dining Experience

6:30-9:30 p.m. — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — $205 per person — Dine on exquisite buffet meals while world-class equestrians captivate with their grand prix freestyle performances.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Concert

7:30 p.m. — Reilly Arts Center — Ticket information TBA — Celebrate the 33rd anniversary of this iconic swing band with a night of vibrant music and high-energy performance.

Hear Us Roar III Fundraiser

7 p.m. — Ocala Civic Theatre — VIP tickets $50 — A vibrant fundraiser supporting Arts in Health and The Arc Marion in Ocala.

Ocala Toddler Time Multi-Sport Program

9:00-11:00 a.m. — McCall Ballfield — $90 — Engage toddlers in a fun, multi-sport program designed for early development.