Two Rivers Music Festival & Food Truck Rally

Lucas Morrow, 15, and Sydney Farris, 13, took overall titles at Saturday evening's retro-themed 5K in Ocala, completing the course just before storms moved through the area.

Cody Thompson successfully defended his championship while local running club athletes dominated the podium at Marion County Veterans Park's historic Independence Day race.

The downtown district welcomes a wave of new restaurants, shops, and galleries as the city's revitalization efforts pay off.

Notice Me Marketing and Media stands as <a href="/location/central-florida" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-700 underline">Central Florida's</a> premier full-service marketing and promotional products company, transforming businesses through innovative marketing solutions, custom apparel manufacturing, promotional merchandise, and strategic digital marketing campaigns since 2018. Founded and operated by Darrin DeTorres, who also owns <a href="/businesses/radical-runs" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-700 underline">Radical Runs</a> and serves as head coach of the <a href="/businesses/ocala-distance-project" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-700 underline">Ocala Distance Project</a>, this dynamic enterprise brings unique entrepreneurial expertise and deep community understanding to every client relationship. 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Elite distance running training and coaching program based in <a href="/location/ocala" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-700 underline">Ocala, Florida</a>, dedicated to developing runners of all ages and abilities through comprehensive training, professional coaching, and a supportive community environment. Founded and led by head coach Darrin DeTorres, the Ocala Distance Project combines decades of distance running expertise with modern training methodologies to help athletes achieve their personal goals, from recreational fitness to competitive excellence at state and national levels. Comprehensive training programs cater to diverse runner needs through structured membership levels designed to accommodate varying commitment levels and athletic goals. The Starter membership provides an excellent introduction to organized training with one practice session per week, perfect for beginners or recreational runners seeking structure and community support. 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Ocala Civic Theatre stands as the second largest community theater in Florida and one of the finest community theaters in the Southeast, celebrating 75 years of exceptional theatrical excellence since its founding as The Marion Players on March 3, 1950, when a group of passionate young people decided <a href="/location/ocala" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-700 underline">Ocala</a> needed a "little theatre" that would provide the highest quality entertainment for local audiences. Located in the prestigious Appleton Cultural Center at 4337 E Silver Springs Boulevard, this remarkable non-profit organization has evolved from its humble beginnings into <a href="/location/marion-county" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-700 underline">Marion County's</a> only community playhouse, serving over 65,000 local residents and visitors each season through professional-quality live performances that rival the nation's finest regional theaters. Rich theatrical history spans three distinct eras of growth and development, beginning with the nomadic early years when The Marion Players held meetings in Hotel Ocala's coffee shop and performed in various downtown venues including the old Armory building, Ocala High School, and spaces above the Ocala Bakery. In 1953, the organization purchased the Osborne Theatre on East Silver Springs Boulevard, providing a permanent home for 35 years before relocating in 1988 to their current magnificent $1.4 million facility built on 28 acres leased from the City of Ocala, creating a state-of-the-art venue that accommodates the growing audiences drawn to OCT's exceptional productions. Professional-quality productions showcase the remarkable talents and dedication of volunteers, staff, and guest designers who collaborate to present more than twelve fully-staged live performances each season, featuring an impressive diversity of classic dramas, contemporary comedies, beloved musicals, and innovative theatrical works that appeal to audiences of all ages and theatrical preferences. Each production receives meticulous attention to detail in direction, set design, costume creation, lighting design, and sound engineering that creates immersive theatrical experiences comparable to professional theaters while maintaining the intimate, community-centered atmosphere that distinguishes exceptional community theater. Comprehensive educational programs reach over 1,000 learners annually through The Academy's year-round theatre education initiatives that offer skills classes and performance classes for students ages 5 through 105, providing structured learning opportunities that develop artistic abilities, build confidence, and foster lifelong appreciation for the performing arts. These educational offerings include acting techniques, vocal training, stage craft, technical theater skills, and comprehensive performance preparation that serves both aspiring professionals and enthusiastic amateurs seeking creative expression and personal growth through theatrical arts. Community engagement excellence includes the beloved Golden Troupers program for performers ages 55 and older who bring live theater directly to community venues throughout Marion County, extending OCT's cultural impact beyond the main theater walls while providing performance opportunities for senior artists. This innovative outreach demonstrates the theater's commitment to accessibility and community service while celebrating the wisdom and talent of experienced performers who enrich the broader community through their artistic contributions. Volunteer-driven operations reflect the grassroots spirit that has sustained OCT for seven decades, with dedicated volunteers contributing countless hours to every aspect of theater operations from performance and technical production through administrative support and fundraising activities. ACT 4, the theater's volunteer support organization established in 1988, has donated over $200,000 to support OCT's mission while fostering a strong sense of community among theater enthusiasts who share passion for live performance and cultural enrichment. Professional facilities and services include group sales accommodations for parties of 10 or more, theater rental opportunities for special events and performances, convenient box office operations Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM, and comprehensive ticketing services through the Arts People system that ensures easy access to all productions and events. Cultural leadership throughout Central Florida positions Ocala Civic Theatre as an essential community institution that not only entertains but educates, inspires, and unites residents through shared appreciation for live theatrical performance. As OCT celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, affectionately known as "The Civic," this remarkable organization continues building upon its legacy of artistic excellence while adapting to serve contemporary audiences seeking meaningful cultural experiences in the heart of the Horse Capital of the World. Ocala Civic Theatre represents the perfect fusion of artistic excellence, community spirit, educational commitment, and cultural leadership, where 75 years of theatrical tradition, professional-quality productions, comprehensive educational programming, and dedicated volunteer service combine to create an extraordinary cultural destination that enriches lives, builds community connections, and celebrates the transformative power of live theater throughout Marion County and beyond.