MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – This weekend is packed with fall-themed fun with festivals, including Ghouls Night Out and a murder mystery dinner show to remember. Local animal lovers can also end the weekend with the Ocala Pet Palooza to engage with the animal community.
28th Annual Jeeptoberfest
- What: Jeeptoberfest will feature vendors, music, obstacle courses with spectator viewing, events, raffles and more on Friday and Saturday. Vendors and obstacle courses close on Sunday; however, guests will have the opportunity to go on a guided tour through the Ocala National Forest.
- When: Friday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Where: Florida Horse Park, 11851SW 16th Ave., Ocala.
- Cost: Pre-registration for Friday and Saturday is $75, registration day of event is $85 for Friday and Saturday. Sunday is $50 pre-registration only.
4th Annual Grays Halloween Festival
- What: Kick off the Halloween season with a trick-or-treating event hosted by Matt Gray, where each vendor will partake in trick-or-treating. The event will feature vendors selling holiday items, face painting, food trucks, activities, a costume contest at 8 p.m. and more.
- When: Friday, Oct. 10 from 5-10 p.m.
- Where: Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala.
- Cost: Free admission.
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
- What: Embark on this interactive dinner and show with an abundance of laughs and crime solving. A murderer will sit amongst the crowd of guests at dinner, and everyone must work to solve the whodunnit without becoming a suspect.
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 from 6-9 p.m.
- Where: The Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.
- Cost: Tickets starting at $63.99 plus tax and fees. Free parking.
Sweet Corn Festival
- What: This is a family-friendly festival with relay games, a petting zoo, a play area, a bounce house, hayrides, face painting, live music, flower picking, crop mazes and more with food trucks and vendor options available.
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Where: Cannon Farms, 11801 SW 180th Ave., Dunnellon.
- Cost: $5 for general admission, $8 for admission and wagon ride and $20 for admission, wagon ride, petting zoo and face painting.
Bunco Babes Ocala Tournament Benefiting Michelle-O-Gram
- What: The game ladies of Bunco Babes are hosting a massive bunco (it’s a dice game! Sort of!) tournament at Ocala’s Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. There are some seriously crazy prizes up for grabs, provided by a who’s who of local and regional sponsors and patrons, and the whole thing benefits Michelle-O-Gram, which provides support, service and assistance to victims of breast cancer. WIND-FM’s own Hunter, herself a breast cancer survivor, will MC.
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 beginning at 5 p.m.
- Where: Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Auditorium, 2232 SE Jacksonville Rd., Ocala.
Ghouls Night Out
- What: Girls Night Out takes a ghostly turn to Ghouls Night Out. Take a shopping trip through up to 100 female-owned vendors offering boutique items, sweets, art, jewelry, Halloween specials and more while jamming to a spooky mix of Halloween favorites and girl power bops. On-site services will be available from fairy hair and permanent jewelry to messages and henna tattoos. Food trucks and drinks will be purchasable throughout the event.
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 from 6-9 p.m.
- Where: Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala.
- Cost: Free admission.
Ocala Pet Palooza
- What: Pet lovers can unite at the Ocala Pet Palooza with costume contests, animal encounters, dock diving, animal education, a chance to adopt a new furry friend or shop for current pet needs. Guests can bring animals that are leashed, well-behaved and up to date on vaccines for the safety and fun of all attending pet parents.
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Where: World Equestrian Center Expo Center 2, 1598 NW 87th Court Rd., Ocala.
- Cost: Tickets can be purchased in advance for $8 or at the box office for $10. Free admission for kids 12 and under. Free parking.