Fall is a lovely time in Ocala, Florida and there are so many great events in Ocala this October, it would be a shame if you couldn’t get out and enjoy all that was going on.
Events in Ocala this October
Ocala Downtown Market
When: October 6th, 2018
Where: Downtown Ocala
Corner of SE 3rdStreet and SE 3rdAvenue
Ocala, FL
The Ocala Downtown Market (ODM) is the place where a diverse array of farmers, artisans, craftspeople, and food trucks come together to sell their products to customers from Ocala, Marion County, and beyond. A true destination location, ODM is set just blocks off of the Ocala Downtown Square, in a beautiful open-air Market Pavilion. Besides permanent roof cover, the facility also includes large overhead fans, restrooms, a nearby ATM, and water fountains.
Vendors have a variety of booth choices to choose from, including both indoor and outdoor, booths with water and/or electric, and more!
The Market is held on Saturdays from 9am until 2pm. It is the vision of the City of Ocala (which owns the facility) and Ocala Downtown Market, Inc. to see the Market add additional days in the future. This expansion in the number of days and hours the Market is open is expected to occur gradually, over the span of a few years.
Ocala Pride
When: October 6th, 2018
Where: Tuscawilla Park
Ocala, FL
Ocala Pride Inc. hosts an annual LGBT pride festival. It is the largest event of the year for OPI. This year’s Ocala Pride Fest will be held on Saturday, October 6th, 2018 from 11:00am to 7:00pm at Tuscawilla Park by The Reilly Art Center’s outdoor stage. Click on the picture to check out our Facebook event page, join the event, share it, and invite your friends!
Each year there are drag performances, live music from local bands and artists, food trucks, face painting, vendors to purchase the latest and greatest items from, a 50/50 raffle, corn hole and more. In addition, OPI has a hospitality tent set up to register for your annual membership and buy refreshments.
Fish Fry and Classic Cars Fundraiser
When: October 12th, 2018
Where: 8thAvenue Adult Activity Center
830 NE 8thAvenue
Ocala, FL
Enjoy a delicious fried fish meal complete with French fries, hush puppies, coleslaw and a drink. Enjoy live music, giveaways and an auction. Explore classic cars and check out the programs the Center has to offer.
Mad Lab at the Discovery Center
When: October 13th, 2018
Where: Discovery Center
701 NE Sanchez Avenue
Ocala, FL
Celebrate the 200thbirthday of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with an exhibit that features the science behind the monster!
Exhibit Features basic concepts in:
Electricity
Body Systems/Anatomy
Engineering/Bioengineering
Historical Science
Brick City Carnival
When: October 13th, 2018
Where: Brick City Adventure Park
1211 SE 22ndRoad
Ocala, Fl
Come one, come all! It’s the Brick City Carnival!
Put on your favorite costume and bring the whole family down to Brick City Adventure Park for an evening of food, games, hay maze and of course…CANDY! Other fun activities include trick or treating, music, costume contest and face painting.
This family friendly event is perfect for ages 0 – 12. Guests are encouraged to dress up for this non-scary event. Please no gruesome or adult themed attire. For more information please contact Marion County Parks and Recreation at 352-671-8560.
Jeeptoberfest
When: October 19th, 2018
Where: Market of Marion
12888 US 441
Bellevue, FL
Jeeptoberfest is one of the largest Jeep Only events in the Southeast. The annual fundraiser event of the Ocala Jeep Club will be held Oct. 19th, 20th and 21st at the Market of Marion in Belleview.
Zombie Zipping
When: October 19th, 2018
Where: The Canyon Zipline and Canopy Tours
8045 NW Gainsville Road
Ocala, FL
The ORIGINAL Zombie Zipping is BACK, right here at the old Zuber Mine! As the zombies roam the ground, you’ll be flying high above them, and (we’re pretty sure) they can’t jump up to get you… Oh, and the night will be very dark with only glo sticks to light the way. But don’t worry, our professional guides will be there to assist you through all five zip lines, 1 rope bridge, zombies, and ground school, of course. The night will be complete when you take a glorious flight over zombie infested water on our famous “Break Out” zip. This tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
2018 Marion County Fair
When: October 26th, 2018
Where: CR – 25
7730 Co Rd 25
Belleview, FL
The Marion County Fair made its comeback October of 2017 when Marion Military Academy sponsored our first location on 20 acres. Out of the history of County Fairs, this is the only fair within the USA that was created by a youth group. In 2012 Florida Kids Helping Kids started off with small family carnivals to raise funds for community projects. When the event needed to expand they reached out to a larger midway company Wade Shows to help them grow. Wade Shows specializes in start up fairs, and since Marion County has not had a County Fair in so long, this was a perfect to join forces in making a comeback for a County wide fair. 2018 the youth group filed with the State of Florida to become a Marion County Fair Association, and it is still in the process of the Charter Application procedures. We appreciate your support.
This year, we are located in Belleview Florida, across from the Belleview Elks Club right off of the corner of C-25 and C25A. We have 54 acres and this year will have our livestock showmanship shows, helicopter rides, a motorcycle stunt show, an illusionist show, vendors, and a lot of local entertainment. We will be sponsoring several non profits. The Haunted House will benefit the Arnett House, Parade of Bikes will benefit St Judes, and ATV show will benefit Breaking Out (rescues from human trafficking). As our event grows we will be able to help more in our community.
Ocala Pumpkin Run
When: October 26th, 2018
Where: Castro Farms
77 North US Highway 27
Ocala, FL
‘Horsepower in Horse Country’ returns as Ocala becomes the backdrop once again for a premier car show and Fall Festival at the beautiful Castro Farms! Scheduled for the weekend of October 26-28th, 2018, car enthusiasts and spectators can look forward to three days of amazing car action and much more!
Our goal once again is to host an exceptional event where families can come together to enjoy cars of all makes and models from all eras, take a prized car to the corral for potential buyers to see, shop with some of the best automotive vendors, enjoy local merchants and their products and services, and then some more. We’ll have local bands, unique displays and demonstrations, and an incredible children’s area with FREE activities for them too!