The Ocala community is invited to World Equestrian Center – Ocala Blueberry Festival Powered by Gary Yeomans Ford on Saturday, May 14. The celebration of spring, and all things blueberry, will be held on the WEC Grand Plaza from 8am to 5pm. The day’s family-friendly activities will kick off at 8am with an untimed 5k Fun Run and Walk for all ages and paces. Runners, walkers and the likes are encouraged to stay for the $10, all-you-can-eat blueberry pancake breakfast at 9am and the ensuing all-day Blueberry Festival farmer’s market and festivities.
The festival will offer free entertainment with live music from three different blues bands, a Blues Brothers tribute act, yard games, and a dedicated “kids zone” complete with bounce houses, slides and more. Perhaps most exciting, visitors can eat, drink and shop their way through the artisanal farmer’s market stocked full of blueberry fare and local, handmade products.
Don’t miss the chance to indulge in blueberry pie, jam and beer, ribs smothered with WEC’s homemade blueberry-chipotle BBQ sauce, blueberry cornbread waffles with fried chicken, blueberry-chocolate sweet butter crumpets, and of course, farm-fresh blueberries. Shop some of Ocala’s favorite local vendors selling items like blueberry wine, goat’s milk soap, upcycled denim purses, handmade leather dog collars, kettle corn, wood flower arrangements and other unique offerings.
During the festival, WEC will serve Wild Blue Belgian by Infinite Ale Works, a blueberry beer made in partnership with the popular Ocala brewery. The brew has been made with blueberries harvested from the center’s own 25-acre blueberry farm, located right here in Ocala. “We’re excited to bring the community together with a fun festival that’s really focused around getting outside, spending time with those we love and celebrating the blueberry season in Florida,” says Justin Garner, Director of Hospitality Operations at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.
Pre-registration is required for the 8am Blueberry 5k Fun Run at runsignup.com/Race/FL/Ocala/Blueberry5KFunRunorWalk. $20 entry includes race t-shirt, finishers gift and race bib; Registry increases by $5 after May 1.
$10 tickets for the 9am blueberry pancake breakfast can be purchased in advance at showclix.com/event/blueberry-pancake-breakfast or day-of.
If you are interested in being a vendor for this event, please contact the exclusive event organizer, Kim Kent at kimberly.kent@wec.net.