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"Controversial Grant for Citrus County Animal Services & Free Elf Screening - This Week's Ocala Sizzle Podcast!"
"Controversial Grant for Citrus County Animal Services & Free Elf Screening - This Week's Ocala Sizzle Podcast!"
"Controversial Grant for Citrus County Animal Services & Free Elf Screening - This Week's Ocala Sizzle Podcast!"
Don't miss out on this week's Ocala Sizzle podcast show notes, a free "Elf" movie screening at Tuscawilla Park, and exciting news about Citrus County's new animal services facility! Plus, spread holiday cheer with Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Arc of Alachua County on December 12th!
Wendell Carr
Dec 12, 2025
Stories, Spots & Sizzle from the Heart of Ocala |
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It’s Christmas in Ocala and The Villages — lights glowing, cocoa steaming, music floating through every square and festival! This week, I’ve rounded up the most magical holiday events: light shows, parades, tree lightings, markets, and festive performances. Whether you’re planning a family night, a couples’ outing, or just a cozy evening exploring the season, this guide will help you make the most of Christmas right here at home. |
Trivia Question❓In what country did the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree originate? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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Bonus Bites with Kevin... |
✨ Winter Wonderland – World Equestrian Center (Ocala) What to Expect: Over one million lights, holiday décor, Santa photos, Grinch character fun, treats, shopping, and weekend entertainment. |
🎄 Light Up Ocala – Downtown Ocala What to Expect: Live entertainment, 100+ vendors, food, crafts, kids’ activities, and a huge tree-lighting ceremony. |
🎺 Downtown Ocala Christmas Parade (Silver Springs Blvd) What to Expect: Floats, marching bands, lights, music, and thousands lining the sidewalks. |
🕯️ A Dickens Christmas – Appleton Museum of Art What to Expect: Victorian decorations, model villages, themed art projects, family days, and elegant holiday displays. |
🎁 Ocala Holiday Craft Show – WEC Expo Center What to Expect: Dozens (sometimes hundreds) of artisan booths, handmade goods, décor, jewelry, and food vendors. |
🎄 A Christmas Extravaganza Market – Downtown Market What to Expect: 60+ vendors, food trucks, live music, snow flurries, digital Santa photos. |
✨ St. John Lutheran Church & School Light Spectacular What to Expect: Evening walk-through or drive-through light display (6–9 PM). |
🎅 Spotlight on The Villages 🌲 Tree Lighting Festivals – All Three Squares Locations: Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing, Brownwood Paddock Square |
🎨 Holly Jolly Arts & Crafts Festival – Lake Sumter Landing What to Expect: Local makers, gifts, seasonal treats, and two full days of browsing. |
🚂 Christmas Model Train Show – Colony Cottage Recreation Center What to Expect: Multi-gauge layouts, raffles, Santa meet-and-greet, free admission. |
🎶 The Magic of Christmas – Weirsdale (OBO / Bobby Randall) What to Expect: A festive musical performance featuring Bobby Randall, the OBO Band, and special guests (Dec 21). |
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Get in the holiday spirit with a free screening of "Elf" at Tuscawilla Park. The event will take place on December 15th, starting at 7:30 pm. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy this family-friendly movie under the stars. There will also be food trucks on site, so you can grab a snack while you watch. Don't miss out on this festive event that is sure to put a smile on your face and get you in the Christmas mood. Read More... |
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The article discusses a new animal services facility in Citrus County that has received an $800,000 grant. The facility aims to provide better care for animals in need and improve the overall functionality of the operation. This grant will allow the county to create a more modern and efficient facility, benefiting both the animals and the staff. The project is expected to enhance the services provided to the community and contribute to a better quality of life for all animals in need. Read More... |
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Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance at The Arc of Alachua County on December 12th to spread holiday cheer. Read More... |
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This Week | ||
Fun Holidays |
Dec 12 – Gingerbread House Day 🏠 |
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This Week in Ocala History December 12, 1979 – Ocala held its first officially organized “Holiday Market Night,” a tradition that influenced today’s downtown Christmas markets. |
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Menorah Lighting – Brownwood Paddock Square
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The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Celebration 2025 |
White Christmas: A Tribute to Bing Crosby Christmas Special |
Ocala December Show Series II: Premier Hunter/Level 6 Jumper |
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Charity Spotlight – Brother's Keeper: the social-service outreach arm of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala, FL — has quietly served as a cornerstone of community support since the early 1970s. Through a combination of emergency assistance programs, a soup kitchen, thrift-store operations, and seasonal help like Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets and toy distributions, Brother’s Keeper offers vital aid to poor, homeless, and vulnerable individuals across Marion County. What makes Brother’s Keeper especially meaningful is its commitment to using every dollar of donation directly to help those in need — overhead is covered through thrift store sales. Daily, the ministry’s soup kitchen serves roughly 150 meals, and the thrift store provides affordable goods to the community while funding ongoing assistance efforts. Volunteers — whether helping with food distribution, data entry, donation sorting, or serving meals — play a crucial role in sustaining these services.
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Germany |
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