The Ocala Arts Festival is expected to draw thousands of visitors this weekend, with major road closures going into effect this morning.
The festival, which is celebrating its 53rd installment, will take place this Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and children’s activities will fill both days of the event and will be positioned along all the roads surrounding the main square (SE 1st Ave).
Multiple bands will play live music during the event, including popular locals like The Mudds Jazz & Blues Band, Miranda MADison, Ecliff Farrar, and Caly & Megan.
Road closures, which began today at 7 a.m., will be in effect until Sunday, October 27 at 11:30 p.m for the following streets:
SE First Avenue, from SE Third Street to E Silver Springs Boulevard
E Broadway Street, from SW First Avenue to Osceola Avenue
E Fort King Street, from Magnolia Avenue to Osceola Avenue
SE Second Street, from Magnolia Avenue to Osceola Avenue
SE Magnolia Avenue, from E Fort King Street to Silver Springs Boulevard
The following detour routes have been planned for the event:
Northbound – SE First Avenue: East on SE Third Street, north on Watula Avenue, west on Silver Springs Boulevard, back to NE First Avenue
Eastbound – W Broadway Street: South on SW First Avenue, east on Fort King Street, south on Magnolia Avenue, east on SE Third Street, north on Watula Avenue, back to E Broadway Street.
Eastbound – West Fort King Street: South on Magnolia Avenue, east on SE Third Street, north on Watula Avenue, back to East Fort King Street
Eastbound – SW Second Street: South on Magnolia Avenue, east on SE Third Street, north on Watula Avenue, back to SE Second Street
Southbound – N Magnolia Avenue: West on State Road 40, south on SW First Avenue, east on Fort King Street, back to S Magnolia Avenue
For more information on vendors and the event, visit the Fine Arts for Ocala website or contact their office at 352-867-0355.