Good morning, Ocala.

Hundreds of children and families gathered on Halloween for the annual Boo Bash in Keystone Heights—organizers said the turnout matched previous years.

Marion County is hosting its 44th annual Chili Cook-Off today at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion — 2232 NE Jacksonville Road.

The event began in 1981 to support The Cornerstone School and expects over 5,000 visitors in a sanctioned competition by the International Chili Society.

An Ocala church collected 40,000 pounds of food to help feed families amid growing need.

Over the next few months, several local groups will host food drives to stock pantries — a move that aims to support more neighbors in need.

Residents from Marion County are serving in the United States Armed Forces at home and abroad—Chief Petty Officer David Andrews recently celebrated 14 years in the Navy and was commissioned, while local seaman Anthony Michael Travis and Fire Controlman Aaron Lacy have also been highlighted. Readers are invited to share their letters of thanks if they know a service member or veteran from the area.

Construction crews are nearing completion on a new RaceTrac in Summerfield, which will be the ninth location in Marion County and cover over 6,000 square feet at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and SE 147th Place—Sunset Harbor Road.

The gas station will join Exxon Mobil and Circle K at the same spot when it opens.

LaTrisha Sims was named chief executive officer of the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County on Thursday after serving as interim leader for over two months—she will lead programs for pre-K, school readiness, and child care resources.

On October 29, a winning lottery ticket for $12,779.67 was sold at Winn-Dixie on State Road 40 in Silver Springs as part of Florida Lottery’s Fantasy 5 drawing.

Records show four winning tickets with two claimed and two unclaimed—one from Winn-Dixie and one sold 20 miles east at a Pierson gas station.

Downtown Ocala gets its first parking garage near City Hall—designed to ease parking shortages for visitors and local workers.

The facility will open soon to meet growing demand in the area.

Oak Hall's football team ended a four-game losing streak by beating Trinity Prep 28 to 7 in the SSAA playoffs.

The win gives the team a strong start to their postseason run.

Florida high school football ended on Halloween as teams played their final games on Thursday and Friday.

Defending champions Chaminade-Madonna met St. Thomas Aquinas while Buchholz faced Cardinal Newman, and IMG Academy plays today—heading to New Jersey as the FHSAA playoffs begin.

KennaDee Acoustic Live

11:30 AM – 2:30 PM — Midtown Station — Free entry — Experience the best of acoustic pop, rock, and soul with a mix of original songs and creative covers.

Loomis Bros. Circus

November 3-4 — Southeastern Livestock Pavilion SELP — Adults $30, Children $8 — Experience a traditional circus filled with athleticism, animals, and nostalgia for the whole family.

November USEA Horse Trials

November 8-9 — Majestic Oaks Ocala — Entry fees apply — Witness thrilling equestrian competition across three phases at this prestigious horse trials event.

2025 Ocali Country Days Festival

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center — $10 per person, children 5 and under FREE — Experience Florida’s history with live music, crafts, and delicious food.

2025 Ocala November Show Series II: National Hunter/Level 6 Jumper

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Free entry — Enjoy two weeks of exciting National Hunter and Level 6 Jumper competitions.

HSITP 2025 Championship Show

1 PM - 10 PM — Covered Arena at The Grand Oaks Resort — Entry fees apply — Compete for year-end awards in a thrilling equestrian championship event.

Paso Fino Fall Festival

8 AM – 11 PM — Florida Horse Park — Admission details not provided — Experience an exciting day of Paso Fino horse shows with food, music, and family fun.

Brown's Christmas Market 2025

10 AM – 4 PM — Brown & Brown Farms and Country Store — Free park and shop — Enjoy a festive market filled with unique gifts, crafts, and fun activities for kids.