Activity Guide September - December 2021 in THIS PROGRAM ISSUE REGISTRATION INFORMATION
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Ocala Recreation and Parks Activity Guide September - December 2021 IN THIS PROGRAM ISSUE REGISTRATION INFORMATION 03 A Note From the Director 04 Light Up Ocala Register online at 05 Holiday Happenings 06 Special Events ocalafl.org/recpark 10 Recreation Programs or call 352.368.5517 20 Discovery Center 22 Fort King National Historic Landmark We reserve the right to adjust or cancel 24 Recreation and Community Centers dates, prices and locations for all programs. 26 Cultural Arts 27 Ocala Golf Club & Fort King Tennis Center 28 Tree and Bench Donation 29 Staff Directory 30 Parks Information FOLLOW US Per current CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated people ON SOCIAL may resume normal activities, however, unvaccinated persons should continue to take precautionary measures to protect themselves and others. Per the CDC, unvaccinated persons should @OcalaRecPark continue wearing a face covering. 2 | OCALAFL.ORG/RECPARK A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR As our summer comes to a close, I’m extremely proud of our amazing Recreation and Parks Department team. We had a very fun and exciting summer season with sold out summer camps, full Aquatic Fun Centers, a rocking good Levitt AMP Ocala concert series plus many other great summer programs over the past few months. But now we turn our attention to the fall, winter and holiday season where we have a schedule full of amazing activities, programs and events planned for the entire family! We have several major events coming up. Our First Friday Art Walk starts back up in September and offers a chance to explore beautiful downtown Ocala, listen to music, meet local artists and other art activities. To kick off the holiday season, Light Up Ocala is back! This year is sure to be bigger, better and brighter than ever. We will have lots of live entertainment, vendors, food, the Sunshine Junior Parade and, of course, the lighting ceremony. Visit ocalafl.org/lightup for more details. Preston Pooser, CPRE The Festival at Fort King is a two-day event bringing the history of Ocala Director, Ocala Recreation and Parks to life. There will be a Seminole village and soldier encampment to explore, living historians, craft vendors, music, hands-on activities plus a full scale re-enactment of the event that fueled the start of the Second Seminole War. Our dedicated team of recreation and park professionals works hard every day to make Ocala a great place to live, play and prosper. So as we go into the last quarter of 2021, I invite you to bring your family and friends to try out a new program, visit our parks and attend one or all of our events. Come out and play, Ocala! OUR PROMISE At Ocala Recreation and Parks, we endeavor to provide you with experiences uniquely yours in safe places and spaces that captivate and inspire; where strangers become friends and friends become a family we call community; where little boys and girls dream of mighty achievements and their families and neighbors are their biggest fans; where the song of the swing set, the roaring of the crowd and the rustling of the leaves all blend into a sweet symphony; where time and troubles slip away into smiles and laughter. At Ocala Recreation and Parks we strive to ensure the memories you make with us here today will be treasured stories you share with your family, friends, children and grandchildren tomorrow. We look forward to sharing this journey with you. OCALAFL.ORG/RECPARK | 3 Holiday Happenings Dec. 7 - 9 Dec. 2 6 - 9 PM 11 AM - 1 PM Free $ 10 Santa's Senior Calling Holiday Schedule a call from Santa in the North Luncheon Pole! Call times are available in the evenings, December 7 - 9. Submit an For ages 50 and up, come celebrate online application for Santa to call your the season with an afternoon of fun, child at ocalafl.org/holidays. prizes, games and a delicious lunch at Application deadline is November 30. the Ocala Golf Club! Dec. 2 - 21 Dec. 8 6 - 8 PM 5 - 8 PM Free Free Santa on Santa the Square Paws Santa's made his list and checked it Join us at the Downtown Square for a twice, now he's coming to Ocala where wagging good time taking pet pictures all the children are nice. Santa and with Santa! Adoptable pets, vendors Mrs. Claus will be available for photos and hot cocoa will be available. A $10 in the Downtown Square gazebo on donation for pet photos with Santa Tuesday and Thursday evenings. benefits the Human Society of Marion Parents should bring their own phone County. Pet parents, please keep your or camera for pictures. pooch leashed at all times. OCALAFL.ORG/HOLIDAYS | 5 FESTIVAL AT FORT KING December 4 & 5 | 10 AM - 4 PM Fort King National Historic Landmark Step into the 1800s at the Festival at Fort King! This two day event will feature historic themed crafts, games, workshops, activities, living historians, vendors, food, drinks and much more. The pinnacle of the weekend is a re-enactment of the event that fueled the start of the Second Seminole War. Fort King National Historic Landmark | 3925 E Fort King St. | FortKingOcala.com/Festival Activities Admission Cast iron cooking $5 per person Historical combat Veterans and children demonstrations under 5 are free Explore a Seminole village and soldier encampment Axe throwing 1800s regalia Craft vendors Kids area Bead crafting Musket and canon fire demonstrations Interactive reenactor historians Meet the Seminole Tribe Historic dances Wood fired oven cooking Food trucks Live music Home brewed beers FORTKINGOCALA.COM/FESTIVAL | 7 CAPOEIRA BRAZILIAN MARTIAL ARTS Free Lillian F. Bryant Community Center | 2200 NW 17 Pl. AGES 16+ | WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS | 6:30 - 8 PM Capoeira is a rigorous Brazilian martial art that combines dance with gymnastics. In this class, you will learn the foundation movements and techniques as well as the instruments and music. Due to the intensity of this fitness class, the recommended age range is 16 - 35. The class will be taught by Professor Gavião. BIRD PHOTO WALK PROGRAMS IN THE PARKS SERIES Free Tuscawilla Park | 800 NE Sanchez Ave. SEPTEMBER 3 | FRIDAY | 10 - 11 AM Join an Ocala Park Ranger on a walk through the park to identify and learn about both native and invasive birds in our parks. Be sure to bring a camera for plenty of photo opportunities along the walk. Participants will receive a Junior Birder book to take home. MUSHROOM HIKE CLASSROOM IN THE GARDEN SERIES Free Fort King National Historic Landmark | 3925 E Fort King St. SEPTEMBER 4 | SATURDAY | 1 - 3 PM Join mushrooming group FALAFAL on a hike along the nature trail at Fort King National Historic Landmark. Participants will learn about identifying mushrooms and how they can be used. Be sure to wear comfortable, closed toe shoes and bring a water bottle, sunscreen and bug spray. PESTS AND HOW TO MANAGE THEM CLASSROOM IN THE GARDEN SERIES Free Fort King National Historic Landmark | 3925 E Fort King St. SEPTEMBER 4 | SATURDAY | 10 AM - NOON University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences will join us at the Fort King Heritage Garden to talk about managing pests in your garden and landscaping. THE KARATE KID (1984) AFTER DARK IN THE PARK MOVIE SERIES Free Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex | 2200 SE 36th Ave. SEPTEMBER 10 | FRIDAY | 8 - 10 PM Whether you are team Cobra Kai or Miyagi-Do, join us for a showing of the original The Karate Kid. Bring a chair or blanket and get comfortable. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase. This movie is rated PG and stars Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita and William Zabka. 10 | OCALAFL.ORG/RECPARK OWLS AND BATS PROGRAMS IN THE PARKS SERIES Free Heritage Nature Conservancy | 2005 NE Third St. SEPTEMBER 17 | FRIDAY| 7 - 9 PM or OCTOBER 8 | FRIDAY| 6 - 8 PM Meet up with an Ocala Park Ranger to call out to owls, watch thousands of bats leave the bat house and find out awesome facts about both species! COMPOSTING CLASSROOM IN THE GARDEN SERIES Free Fort King National Historic Landmark | 3925 E Fort King St. SEPTEMBER 25 | SATURDAY | 10 AM - NOON University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences will join us at the Fort King Heritage Garden to talk about the importance of soil building and what you will need to do to create your own compost pile. FAMILY PIZZA PARTY CLASSROOM IN THE GARDEN SERIES $20 per Fort King National Historic Landmark | 3925 E Fort King St. family OCTOBER 2 | SATURDAY | 5:30 - 7:30 PM Bring the whole family to make your own pizza with ingredients straight from the Fort King Heritage Garden. Pizzas will be cooked at the on-site wood fired oven. Cost covers one pizza for a family of four. STORIES UNDER THE STARS: PHANTOMS IN THE FORT Free Fort King National Historic Landmark | 3925 E Fort King St. OCTOBER 16 | SATURDAY | 7 - 9 PM Ghosts, goblins and ghouls return to Fort King for an evening of spine-tingling tales. Bring your own chair and listen to stores of the strange and eerie. The darker it gets, the spookier the stories! Program is in partnership with Marion County Library System. HALLOWEEN COSTUME FAMILY FUN RUN BENEFITING UNITED WAY OF MARION COUNTY $5 Citizens' Circle | 151 SE Osceola Ave. OCTOBER 30 | SATURDAY | 8:30 - 11 AM Build up an appetite for all your trick or treat candy by joining us for our Halloween Family Fun Run 5K! Participants can walk, jog or run the path while showing off their best costume. Racing fee benefits United Way of Marion County.