Gilchrist 4-H coin challenge continues
July questions published 
By Jeff M. Hardison © July 19, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.
     TRENTON – With Gilchrist County heralding its 100th year of existence this year -- 2025, Gilchrist County Extension started hiding Centennial Coins in what it calls the “Gilchrist Centennial - 4-H Coin Challenge.”

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     Historically, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences group that exists in all 68 of Florida’s counties was named Gilchrist County Cooperative Extension Service, but UF IFAS at some point took out “cooperative” and “service: from the name.
     Meanwhile this year in Gilchrist County, this challenge coin search highlights historic events, prominent people and nostalgic places throughout Gilchrist County’s 100 years. 
     The challenge continues until Dec. 30, 2025. Gilchrist County Extension and 4-H hides coin tokens and releases between eight and 12 clues per month.
      This set takes the clues up to number 50. Gilchrist Extension has not sent the answers for publication yet to the first sets of monthly “clues” yet.
     The clues provide a way to find these hidden treasures.
     Here are the ways to obtain one of the 100 coins:
     • Two coins will be drawn at each major centennial event for attendees.
     • One-hundred coins will be available throughout the year through a historical hide-and-seek game where each coin will be tied to a location/place in history and the location will have a laminated coin waiting to be found. The first person to find it will take a photo at the spot and grab the laminated coin plus leave the card behind stating the coin was already taken. 
     • The laminated coin must be returned to the Extension Office for exchange of the real challenge coin.
     • As clues are posted, residents may call in with the answers to the clues and will be awarded with one raffle ticket entered for each correct answer. To get credited for the solved clues a participant must call in or email the Extension Office 352-463-3174 or jaltum@ufl.edu 
     Please contact the UF/IFAS Extension office in Trenton with any questions.
     Following are the latest round of clues provided by Gilchrist County Extension.

Summerfest Series brings free,
family fun to Chiefland Trailhead Park
Events set for July 17 and Aug. 1
By City Commissioner LaWanda Jones 
Chair – Chiefland Recreation Advisory Committee 
Published July 8, 2025 at 3 p.m. 
     CHIEFLAND – Chiefland City Commissioner LaWanda Jones and the Chiefland Recreation Advisory Committee have launched the Summerfest Series to bring free, family fun to local youth.     The City of Chiefland is proud to present its 2025 Summerfest Series, a community-focused initiative inspired by City Commissioner LaWanda Jones and brought to life through the hard work of the Chiefland Recreation Advisory Committee.
     This summer long series offers fun, family-friendly events at Trailhead Park, and it is all free and open to the public. 
     The series kicked off on July 3 with a Bounce into Summer Youth Bash, which welcomed approximately 50 children and their parents to a morning of high-energy fun with bounce houses, kickball, cornhole, music and popsicles.
     The city leaders note a special “thank you” to JT Bounce House & Water Slides and Bounce Away Rentals, which each donated two bounce houses to help make this event a success.
     “This series began as a vision I had to give our children something to look forward to during the summer months,” Commissioner Jones said. “With the support and hard work of the Chiefland Recreation Advisory Committee, we’re turning that vision into a reality, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the team effort it has taken to make this happen. The Summerfest Series is about community, joy, and creating memories that last.”
     Here are the remaining Summerfest Series 2025 Events
     ● Fire Hose Frenzy (Water Day with the Fire Department) - Thursday, July 17 from 12 to 2 p.m. Cool off with slip and slides, water from the fire truck, and hotdog meals, featuring help from the Chiefland Fire Rescue. 
     ● Movie Night Under the Stars - Friday, Aug. 1 – starting at 8 p.m. Enjoy a relaxing summer evening with a family-friendly movie and free popcorn. (Movie title to be announced.) 

Event Guidelines
     To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, no smoking, no alcohol, and no pets are allowed at any Summerfest events. 
     Get Involved – Be a Sponsor - The Summerfest Series is made possible by dedicated volunteers, sponsors, and community leaders. The Chiefland Recreation Advisory Committee invites local businesses, churches, and individuals to show their support through one of the following sponsorship tiers: 
$100 – Supporting Cast 
$250 – Feature Presentation Sponsor 
$500 – Premiere Producer 
     All sponsors will receive public recognition. To become a sponsor or learn more, contact Commissioner LaWanda Jones or a member of the Recreation Advisory Committee at email chieflandreccommittee@gmail.com.

Bay scallop season opens
July 10 in the Pasco Zone 

The graphic above shows all of the zones and dates for recreational harvesting of scallops.

Information and Graphic
Provided By Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Published July 7, 2025 at 12 p.m.
     TALLAHASSEE -- The 2025 recreational bay scallop season for the Pasco Zone opens July 10 and will remain open through Aug. 18.     This includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, including all waters of the Anclote River. 
     The daily bag limit is 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel per day. 
     Throughout the season and region-wide, vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit. 
     Harvest of bay scallops is permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net. Commercial harvest is prohibited. 
     Although bay scallop season dates can vary by region, regulations do allow the direct and continuous transit of legally harvested bay scallops through closed areas. When transiting, boaters may not stop their vessels in waters that are closed to harvest and instead must proceed directly to the dock or ramp to land scallops in a closed area.
     Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are exempt from needing a license or have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops (i.e., feet do not leave the bottom to swim, snorkel or SCUBA, and harvesters do not use a vessel to reach or return from the harvest location).  
Boater and scalloper safety
     State law enforcement officers who are part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) remind boaters to designate an operator who will remain sober to ensure the safety of everyone with them and around them. Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries and consequences.
     In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, the same as in a motor vehicle.
     A few things to remember that will make diving for scallops safe for divers and boaters alike:
     When scalloping in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a correctly displayed divers-down flag or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag if on a river, inlet or navigation channel.
Always operate your boat at idle speed when traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag in open water or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag on a river, inlet or navigational channel.
Seagrass awareness
     It is a violation of Florida law to damage seagrass beds in some areas within state waters. Boaters should stay within the marked navigation channels whenever possible and avoid motoring through seagrass beds in shallow water, which can cause propeller scars.
     Seagrasses are the principal food for endangered marine animals including manatees and green sea turtles, act as natural filters to help purify the water, and serve as important habitat for a wide variety of marine life, like the bay scallop.
Stow it, don’t throw it
     The FWC asks people to please do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities, such as near boat ramps or swimming areas. Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat.
     Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse. Also, don’t forget to stow trash securely on your vessel so that it doesn’t blow overboard.

Boaters enjoy Suwannee River
on the Fourth of July


Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © July 5, 2025 at 10:15 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     FOWLER’S BLUFF – A 15-minute visit to watch the Suwannee River on the Fourth of July showed boaters using the Levy County Public Boat Ramp next to Treasure Camp Restaurant in Fowler’s Bluff showed the river was full of people enjoying Independence Day (Friday, July 4).
     The 250 mile long Suwannee River Suwannee River has headwaters in the Okefenokee Swamp, in southeastern Georgia, and it meanders south-southwestward across northern Florida to enter the Gulf of Mexico at Suwannee Sound. All but 35 miles of the river’s course are in Florida.
     It passes next to Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties fed in part by the strong springs of the Tri-County Area, where Gilchrist County is known as the Springs Capital of the World. It passes by Yellow Camp RV Resort, where people can rent pontoon boats, Sundance boats and Jon boats.
 

This one-minute and 20-second video is eight clips put together from boats passing on the Suwannee River near the Treasure Camp Restaurant in Fowler's Bluff on the Fourth of July 2025. Two clips show the same boat towing people behind the boat what looks like a very fun ride. Click on PHOTO to see and hear video.
Video by Jeff M. Hardison © July 5, 2025 at 10 a.m. All Rights Reserved

     As noted, among the public boat docks from Levy County, where the Levy County Tourist Development Council notes there is “More To Explore,” there is the Treasure Camp Restaurant. 
     The Treasure Camp Restaurant is a great place for group parties on the Suwannee River. There are new facilities available there for the perfect venue to host a private party or special event. Treasure Camp has exactly what is needed for groups. The waterfront location provides a stunning backdrop, with space to accommodate groups of 20 to 150 people.

     Whether a person is planning a casual cocktail party with an appetizer buffet or a sit-down dinner featuring a personalized multi-course menu, Treasure Camp Restaurant has it all. At Treasure Camp, they make every event seamless, memorable and tailormade.
     And for smaller groups like two or so, there is that amazing restaurant that has an excellent menu with steaks, seafood, appetizers, salads and a full bar with happy hour and drink specials. And there is live entertainment at the Treasure Camp Restaurant on occasion. 
     Meanwhile, the Levy County Parks and Recreation Public Boat Ramp at Fowler’s Bluff was relatively busy on the Fourth of July 2025.

 

Florida State Parks
launch 2025 summer photo contest
Information Provided
By Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Published July 3, 2025 at 8 a.m.
     TALLAHASSEE – Florida's award-winning state parks, trails and historic sites offer some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world — and, this summer, nature lovers and photographers are invited to capture them.       Florida State Parks is excited to launch its annual Capture the Real Florida photo contest, now open for the 2025 summer season. 
      “With each photo contest, I am amazed by the beauty and variety of Florida’s natural spaces,” said Chuck Hatcher, Director of Florida State Parks. “I invite photographers of all levels to explore and capture the Real Florida, from springs to swamps to beaches. We look forward to seeing this year’s stunning submissions.” 
     The contest is open to all Florida State Park visitors. Entries will be accepted from July 1 through Sept. 1 and can be submitted on the photo contest website.   
     All photographs must be taken within a Florida State Park. Participants may submit one photo per category for a total of up to five entries. 
     This year, in preparation for the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, Florida State Parks is introducing a new category: Historic Encounters. This category recognizes the contributions of all who helped shape Florida’s communities and preserve the stories that define our shared heritage. 
     The five categories include: 
📸 Landscapes; 
📸 Waterscapes;
📸 Park Adventures;
📸 Wildlife; and   
📸 Historic Encounters.
     Grand Prize winners in each category will be selected by a blue-ribbon panel. Each winner will receive a B&H Photo gift card, a Florida State Parks Family Annual Entrance Pass and a promotional package that includes a Florida State Parks-branded stand-up paddleboard.   
     The contest will include a People's Choice Award in each category, with the winner selected through public voting. People’s Choice winners will receive a Florida State Parks promotional package.
     For contest rules, submission guidelines and prize details, visit the Florida State Parks photo contest website.

From Cinderella through yoga,
Cedar Key Public Library
reopens with ribbon-cutting
Older women did some heavy lifting

Cinderella, portrayed by Isabelle Stephenson, prepares to perform her duties for children at the Cedar Key Public Library on Wednesday. 

Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © July 2, 2025 at xx p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CEDAR KEY – Despite intermittent drizzles and rain, and even with it being a midweek morning in July, the Cedar Key Public Library was a beehive of activity early Wednesday (July 2).
     The grand reopening of the library attracted three Levy County Commissioners, at least a couple of Cedar Key City Commissioners, a member of the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Board, some county staff members, some officers and members of the Friends of the Cedar Key Public Library, as well as an island journalist, an off-island multiple award-winning journalist, one TV journalist from Bay News 9 of Tampa Bay and an Episcopal priest.
     Beyond the magnetism of the 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, this public library already had some other guests who had been attracted to use it and may have been oblivious to the ceremonial reopening.


Chuda Kongpornsiri Caparis (left) and Niki Mason prepare to go to the second floor of the Cedar Key Public Library to enjoy their yoga class with others on Wednesday (July 2).

     Woman walked down Second Street to enter the library and go to its second floor for yoga. The library is located at 460 Second St. The library’s regular hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Soon after the hubbub of the official grand reopening, parents and little children made their way to Princess Storytime With Cinderella at 9:30 a.m.


Levy County Commissioner Charlie Kennedy welcomes people to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand reopening of the Cedar Key Public Library.


Levy County Library Division Director Connie Conley, with scissors in hand, prepares to cut the ribbon.


Connie Conley welcomes everyone to the Cedar Key Public Library as she prepares to cut the ribbon and let people in to enjoy refreshments and tour the library. Levy County Commissioner Charlie Kennedy has said some things before this point, as County Commission Vice Chairman Tim Hodge paused Conley's scissors for a moment. Vice Chair Hodge just wanted to thank everyone for their patience in how long it took the county and the city to make the library able to serve the people again. Then Conley cut the ribbon. Click on PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison © July 2, 2025 - All Rights Reserved


An extensive assortment of fruit, cookies and drinks await library visitors. The Friends of the Cedar Key Public Library and others provided the food and drinks.


Eileen Senecal (left) and Cedar Key City Commissioner Nancy Sera visit with one another at the Cedar Key Public Library.


Cedar Key Public Library Manager Nancy Stephens (left) and Cedar Key Mayor Jeff Webb are seen in the Cedar Key Public Library. In the background the Rev. Karen Voyles is seen in the library.


These stacks of huge black tubs with yellow lids are what stored books off-island while Cedar Key suffered the ravages of hurricanes. They were extremely heavy and were moved by using two rolling chairs. Library Manager Nancy Stephens and volunteers Sarah Westenberry, Cindy Leiner and Jan Childers worked for three weeks returning books to the shelves -- and some shelves are still missing.


Levy County Commission members (from left) Johnny Hiers, Charlie Kennedy and Tim Hodge are among the people who toured the Cedar Key Public Library on Wednesday.

     Meanwhile, the official grand reopening of the public library happened as planned Wednesday morning.
     The Rev. Karen Voyles of Christ Episcopal Church Cedar Key opened the ribbon-cutting ceremony by saying a prayer to bless the library. 
     County Commissioner Charlie Kennedy welcomed everyone to the Cedar Key Public Library. He said it is a blessing to have completed the big job of reopening the library for the residents and visitors of Cedar Key.
     Connie Conley, the director of Levy County Transit and the division directors of various other departments, including Levy County Public Library System, which includes five public libraries. The Levy County Libraries are in Bronson, Cedar Key, Chiefland, Williston and Yankeetown.
     The people Yankeetown and Cedar Key lost the use of their public libraries after hurricane damage made them unable to be used. Within a year, though, the county government, municipal governments and Friends of the Library brought those two places back into use.
     Conley said the restoration of the Cedar Key Public Library happened thanks to the efforts of Levy County Library System Office Manager Layce Hallman, as well as Cedar Key Public Library Manager Nancy Stephens and others.
     Library Manager Stephens said she wants people to know that she, Sarah Westenberg, 87, Cindy Leiner, 80, and Friends of the Cedar Key Public Library Treasurer Jan Childers used two rolling chairs to move 150 tubs full of books and to return them to the shelves in the library. More than 50 shelves remain missing, but Stephens anticipates them to be replaced with new shelves in the near future.
     Other officers of the Frienda of the Cedar Key Public Library are President Kathy O’Neall and Secretary Debbie Floyd Piscura. There are a lot of members of this Friends group, including some who leave Florida to go to northern states in the summer.
     City Commissioner Nancy Sera was at the grand reopening of the library. In the near future, she anticipates having a business opening of her own.
     Sera plans to open the Sip and Sea at 491-A Dock St. Items on the menu there will include wines, beer, charcuterie board cheese rings, and tapas. 
     A charcuterie board is a selection of preserved meats and sometimes cheeses laid out on a board or platter. The basic cheeseboard includes more finger foods like cut fruits, olives, nuts and dips. The best cheeses for charcuterie boards include classic cheddar, blue cheese and creamy Brie, according to some chefs.
     Tapas are small plates of food that are served with drinks in Spain and other countries.
     Although the structure destroyed by fire on Dock Street remains, and although the Big Dock is not yet certified for occupancy, business interests are returning to Dock Street, including Sip and Sea. When one looks at the sign for Sip and Sea, the “and” is more like a wine glass than the word “and” or an ampersand (&) or a plus (+) symbol.
 

Levy County dog is among the champions
in The Incredible Dog Challenge

The 2025 Eastern Regional Leaders in Fetch It are (from left) Second Place: Venom, Lauren Helfer; First Place: Mazikeen “Maze” Lillith, Christopher Hutchko; and Third Place: Kane, Lea MaDueno.
Photos Provided By Chris Hutchko

By Jeff M. Hardison © June 24, 2025 at 4 p.m.
     LEVY COUNTY – Mazikeen ‘Maze’ Lilith is the best Belgian Malinois in the world to compete in the Fetch-It event, according to her owner and trainer Christopher “Chris” Hutchko.     Hutchko, a 54-year-old retired traffic homicide investigator who worked as a member of the Bradenton Police Department until he retired three years ago, said his dog is the best ever. There never has been another Belgian Malinois who attained the status his 2-year-old female dog has earned so far in her young life.
     Chris and Kimberly “Kim” Hutchko developed a five-acre facility for dog competitions called the Tracks K-9 Club, which is an affiliate club of the professional organization Ultimate Air Dogs. The couple’s training facility is relatively close to the Tri-County Saw Shop.
     Maze is the star dog in the sport competition known as Fetch It, which is part of The Incredible Dog Challenge by Purina. For more than 28 years, Purina Pro Plan has given incredible canine athletes the platform to showcase their amazing abilities in exciting events like dock diving, flying disc, agility and more.
     The 2025 Eastern Regional Leaders in Fetch It are:
     First Place: Mazikeen “Maze” Lillith, Christopher Hutchko
     Second Place: Venom, Lauren Helfer
     Third Place: Kane, Lea MaDueno

     Hutchko said “Maze” is bound to take the national championship in this sport this year.
     Mazikeen “Maze” Lillith has earned several other trophies in competition already, and Hutchko said she is still a few years from reaching her prime. She is an Ultimate Air Dog.
     Started in 2005 by former Detroit Tigers Pitcher Milt Wilcox, and his son Brian, Ultimate Air Dogs has soared to the top simply because of a down-to-earth attitude, a grassroots background, and ability to make every competitor feel welcome.
     Wilcox pitched for 16 years in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds (1970–1971), the Cleveland Indians (1972–1974), the Chicago Cubs (1975), the Detroit Tigers (1977–1985) and the Seattle Mariners (1986).
     As a a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, Wilcox was a key member of the 1984 World Series-winning team. He contributed significantly to their success that year, including winning a game in the American League Championship Series and the World Series itself. 
     As for Fetch It, this became part of the Purina competition as an extension of the dock-diving competition and was promoted as a sport to add to the competitive game choices by Milt Wilcox and his wife Cathy, Hutchko said.
     Mazikeen “Maze” Lillith is a descendant of Wilcox’s dog Nash, Hutchko said, which was a championship dog, too.
     The Hutchko couple owns Tracks K-9 Club at 14841 N.W. 66th Ave., in Chiefland. That is where Maze trains daily, Hutchko said, including swimming in pool.
     At the facility, there is competition as well, and it has attracted hundreds of dogs and people to participate there. In regard to that full training facility for dogs, Hutchko said there are currently 150 members who can use it.
     Asked if there was a plan for Mazikeen “Maze” Lillith to have puppies, he said that is not happening because Maze is plenty to handle and having another one like her would be too much.
     Following is a brief description of the competition available in The Incredible Dog Challenge by Purina.

Fetch It!
     Dogs run off of a 40-foot stage and try to catch or knock down a bumper which hangs four feet above the water. In Fetch It, competing dogs run off the dock and try to retrieve or knock down a bumper that hangs above the water.
     The Fetch It event consists of a 40-foot x 12-foot stage or dock with a swimming pool at the end that measures 46 feet by x 17 feet by three and one-half feet. A moveable bumper hangs four feet above the water.
     The bumper starts at 18 feet from the dock. It is moved one foot farther away each round. Competitors may pass on the 20-foot round, but must enter the competition at 21 feet.
     During their turn, the dog gets two jump attempts consecutively at each distance. The dog starts on the dock or platform and takes off running for the pool on his owner’s cue. He dives into the pool, aiming for the suspended bumper that hangs over the pool.
     To complete a successful jump, the diving dog must either grab the bumper or otherwise fully dislodge the bumper from its suspended position. If the competitor successfully completes a distance, they return to the line and await the next distance. If the competitors miss at a distance, they receive another chance to complete. If they miss again, they are eliminated from the competition.

Agility
     Dog/owner teams make runs through a challenge course that’s made up of a variety of jumps, A frames, tunnels and other obstacles. Fastest time wins!

Diving Dog
     Dogs sprint down a 40-foot stage before launching into a pool, aiming for recording breaking length as they hit the water.

Incredible Weave
     The Incredible Weave is one of the most challenging events at the Incredible Dog Challenge. Speed, dexterity and focus are key in this lightning-fast race that sends dogs darting through a weave pole course as fast as they can without missing a pole.

Freestyle Flying Disc
     Dog/human teams perform together in this high-flying, high-energy event featuring aerial maneuvers and jaw-dropping tricks.

Surf Dog
     Life jacket-wearing dogs try to catch and ride a wave on their foam boards with the help of their handler.

Artists invited to enter
the 2026 OFCA Design Contest
Deadline for entries is Aug. 1

2025 Design Contest Winner, Judi Cain's After the Storm 

Story and Art Submitted by Marci Wilcox, OFCA Coordinator
Published May 31, 2025 at 8 a.m.
     CEDAR KEY -- Each year, the event coordinators for the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts (OFCA) chooses a theme for the Annual OFCA Design Contest.
     This year the theme is Stars of Cedar Key.
     The OFCA working committee hopes that this theme will inspire a creative design that will be used to promote the Spring Arts Festival in Cedar Key planned for April 11 and 12, 2026. The winning artwork will be used on posters, postcards, and other promotional items for the festival.
     The winning artist also has his/her application and booth fees waived for the festival.
     Entries for the Festival Design Contest are due by Aug. 1. A maximum of two digital images per artist can be submitted via email to CedarKeyArtsFestival@gmail.com. 
     The event coordinators are (Arts Center Committee - Marci Wilcox, Jim Wilcox, Mary Prescott, Denise Feiber, Faye Sanders, Ann Morgan, Deb Blomberg-Mann,  Kathy O'Neall, Sue Rosenthal, Dawn Callahan, Rebecca Rittenhouse and Kim Stanfield).
     The Old Florida Celebration of the Arts set to happen in Cedar Key on April 11 and 12, 2026.
     The OFCA Arts Center Committee may be contacted at CedarKeyArtsFestival@gmail.com or by phone at 352-543-5400.

Summer Kids Film Series
shows scheduled at The Marion Theatre
Series ends July 25

This is a view of the outside of The Marion Theatre.

Information and Photo Provided By The Marion Theatre
Published May 20, 2025 at 8 a.m.
Updated June 30, 2025 at 8 a,.m.
     OCALA – The Marion Theatre's Summer Kids Film Series began June 4. Movies will be screened every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. each of those days. The series is sponsored by Ocala Electric Utility and Panzer Medicine. 
     Tickets are $5 for adults and children. A summer snack pack is included for children 12 years old and younger, which includes a small popcorn, gummy snacks and a Capri Sun.
     This limited summer series ends on Friday, July 25.
     The movies scheduled are The Jungle Book; The Land Before Time; Brave; Dory; Babe; The Incredibles; Inside Out 2; and A Bug’s Life.
     As part of the Summer Kids Film Series, The Marion Theatre is proud to support the Early Learning Coalition with a special book drive!
     Guests are encouraged to bring new or gently used books, particularly for children from birth to age 5. These donations will help foster early literacy and a love of reading in young children throughout the community. Look for the collection bins in the theater lobby this summer.
     View the showtimes and purchase tickets online by clicking HERE.    
     Large groups are highly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and arrive early to ensure enough seats are available for their party.
     Guests can also purchase tickets at the Marion Theatre box office 30 minutes prior to the film by visiting in person. The Marion Theatre is located at 50 S. Magnolia Ave., in Ocala.