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"Ocala Sizzle: Holiday Fun, Festive Films, and Winning Lottery Ticket Await Claim!"

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"Ocala Sizzle: Holiday Fun, Festive Films, and Winning Lottery Ticket Await Claim!"

"Ocala Sizzle: Holiday Fun, Festive Films, and Winning Lottery Ticket Await Claim!"
Don't miss out on this week's Ocala Sizzle Podcast Show Notes! Get the scoop on Light Up Ocala and festive family films. Plus, a $119,000 winning lottery ticket awaits its lucky owner at Trailwinds Village Gas Station! Share the Sizzle now!

Wendell Carr

Nov 21, 2025

Stories, Spots & Sizzle from the Heart of Ocala 
For the week Of November 21, 2025

Want to see your photo on our newsletter, please share your photos with us and we'll pick one each week to feature!   Send photos to theocalasizzle@gmail.com

 

Hungry for fun? This week, we’re mixing family meals with playtime—from arcade pizza joints to downtown diners near splash pads. Whether you’re feeding toddlers or teens, these are the spots that make eating out easy, tasty, and joyful.

Trivia Question❓

The Florida Everglades is home to a thriving population of which reptile species that is known for its ability to "walk" on water?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

 Bonus Bites with Kevin...

🍕 Chuck E. Cheese (Ocala)
What to Expect: Arcade games, trampoline zones, and sensory-friendly hours.
Vibe: High-energy fun for kids and nostalgia for adults.
Bonus Bite: Visit on a weekday afternoon—fewer crowds, same excitement!

🤸 Bounce N Play Indoor Family Fun Center (Ocala)
What to Expect: Bounce houses, ninja course, toddler zone, and massage chairs for parents.
Vibe: Controlled chaos—in the best way.
Bonus Bite: They host birthday packages that include playtime and pizza!

🥞 Metro Diner (The Villages)
What to Expect: Chicken & waffles, mac ’n cheese, and silver-dollar pancakes.
Vibe: Classic diner warmth that welcomes everyone.
Bonus Bite: Kids eat free on select weekdays—ask your server!

🌳  Downtown Dining + Tuscawilla Park (Ocala)
What to Expect: Local cafés paired with parks, art installations, and splash pads.
Vibe: Laid-back family afternoons under Florida sunshine.
Bonus Bite: Bring ice cream cones to the splash pad—it’s pure Ocala joy.

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Share the Sizzle!

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This weekend, Downtown Ocala is hosting the annual Light Up Ocala event, featuring a variety of festive activities and live entertainment for all to enjoy.

The event will include the lighting of the downtown square, a parade, vendors, and even a special appearance by Santa Claus.

Attendees can also enjoy ice skating, carnival rides, and a fireworks display to kick off the holiday season in style.

With free admission and plenty of family-friendly activities, Light Up Ocala is sure to be a fun-filled event for all ages to come together and celebrate the spirit of the holidays.

Read More...
It's the season for family-friendly classic Christmas cinema.

As the holidays approach, so do the opportunities to cozy up with loved ones and enjoy timeless films that capture the spirit of the season.

From heartwarming tales of redemption to magical adventures with Santa Claus, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

So grab some popcorn, snuggle up under a warm blanket, and press play on your favorite festive film to make this holiday season a truly memorable one with your family.

Read More...
A winning lottery ticket worth $119,000 was sold at a gas station in Trailwinds Village.

The ticket has not yet been claimed by the lucky winner, who has 180 days to come forward and collect their prize.

The gas station owner is excited about the news and hopes that the winner will soon step forward to claim their winnings.

This serves as a reminder for lottery players to always check their tickets and not miss out on potential prizes.

The deadline for claiming the prize is approaching, so the winner is encouraged to come forward quickly.

Read More...

This Week

Fun Holidays

This Week In

Ocala History

November 21, 1987 – The first children’s splash pad opened in Marion County, at Tuscawilla Park.

The Viscount’s Ball: A Bridgerton‑Inspired String Concert

  • 📅 Date: Friday, November 21, 2025

  • 🕒 Time: 7:30 PM

  • 📍 Location: Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th Street, Ocala, FL 34470 

  • 🎟️ Admission: ~$28‑46 (GA), VIP boxes higher (~$225)

  • 📄 Details: An elegant evening of modern pop hits re‐imagined by the string quartet La Primavera String Quartet in a Regency‑inspired format (à la the show Bridgerton). Dress up if you’d like.

Light Up Ocala 2025

  • 📅 Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025

  • 🕒 Time: 3:00 PM ‑ 8:00 PM

  • 📍 Location: Downtown Ocala, FL 34471

  • 🎟️ Admission: Free

  • 📄 Details: A longstanding holiday kick‑off tradition (41st anniversary) — over 100 vendors (crafts, art, food), live entertainment, kids zone, parade with Santa and a downtown light‑up. Fun for families.

Dressage at Ocala (Equestrian Event)

  • 📅 Dates: November 21–23, 2025

  • 📍 Location: HITS Ocala’s Post Time Farm, Ocala, FL

  • 📄 Details: A competitive dressage show (USEF Level 3) throughout the weekend — good for horse‑sport enthusiasts or watching high‑level equestrian activity.

2025 Fallen Firefighter Memorial

  • 📅 Date: Friday, November 21, 2025 

  • 📍 Location: Florida State Fire College, Ocala, FL

  • 📄 Details: A solemn ceremony honoring fallen firefighters — more of a tribute/service than a festive event.

Charity Spotlight

Marion County Youth Foundation

The Marion County Youth Foundation (MCYF) was established in 1983 by Bob Ludwig, Paul Ludwig, John Courtright Sr., and Bruce Jenkins with a mission to provide financial support to young people in Marion County as they pursue academic, vocational, and extracurricular goals. 

 

Over the years, the foundation has grown through community involvement and annual fundraisers — most notably its Charity Celebrity Golf & Dinner outing — to the point where it has distributed over $500,000 in grants to more than 9,000 youth in the region. 

 

MCYF’s focus on youth empowerment is rooted in the belief that investing in young people helps build a stronger community. The foundation’s programs give rising scholars, trades-interested students, and extracurricular participants the financial boost they need to achieve their aspirations. With its “labor of love” approach and decades of service behind it, MCYF continues to inspire and engage donors, volunteers, and young beneficiaries alike.

Looking for a dental office in Ocala where you’re treated like family—not just a patient? Grand Oaks Dental Care does just that. With two locations in Ocala, a highly skilled team, and an emphasis on comfort (warm blankets, massage chairs, TV and headphones during your treatment!), they make dentistry less stressful and more pleasant. From general check-ups and cleanings to cosmetic dentistry, implants, and sleep apnea treatment, they handle it all. Visit grandoaksdentalcare.com or call 352-877-4926 to book your appointment today. Grand Oaks Dental Care—where smiles feel at home.
💡 Answer to Trivia Question:
American alligator
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The Ocala Sizzle is your go-to guide for everything happening in Ocala and The Villages. From neighborhood news and standout events to restaurant picks, local gems, and fresh stories from the community, we bring the heat and the heart of Central Florida straight to your inbox. Whether you're a lifelong local or just settling in, The Ocala Sizzle keeps you connected to the buzz and beauty of life in horse country.

© 2026 The Ocala Sizzle.