news · From the editor's notebook
The Weekend Lineup: March 27–29, 2026
# The Weekend Lineup: March 27–29
**88° Friday, 84° Saturday, 76° Sunday.** A rare near-perfect trifecta — Friday is pure sunshine, Saturday stays warm with a breeze picking up in the afternoon, and Sunday cools off to the mid-70s under partly sunny skies. Saturday’s gusts could hit 30 mph by evening, so plan accordingly for anything involving tents or tablecloths. No rain in the forecast all weekend.
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### [Pig on the Pond](/events/pig-on-the-pond-2026-03-27/) Opens — [Clermont](/areas/clermont/) The 27th annual festival kicks off at [Clermont Waterfront Park](/directory/clermont-waterfront-park/) and runs through Sunday. BBQ, carnival rides, live entertainment, kids zone, and fireworks Saturday night. New this year: a sensory-friendly “Lily Pad Hour” on Sunday at 10 AM with reduced lights and sound. Proceeds fund Project Scholars local scholarships. Free admission. Expect 20,000+ people over the weekend.
### [45th Annual Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival](/events/45th-annual-sunnyland-antique-boat-festival-2026-03-27/) — [Tavares](/areas/tavares/) Over 100 antique and classic boats on display in the water at [Wooten Waterfront Park](/directory/wooten-park/) — the largest event of its kind on the East Coast. Large dock walkways let you get up close. If you’ve never been, this is the year. It’s a uniquely Florida event in one of Lake County’s most charming waterfront towns.
### [Polo Match](/events/polo-match-at-the-villages-polo-club-2026-03-27/) at [[The Villages](/areas/the-villages/) Polo Club](/directory/the-villages-polo-club/) — The Villages Spring season polo runs Fridays at 3 PM. A surprisingly accessible way to spend an afternoon — bring a blanket, a cooler, and enjoy the spectacle. It’s one of The Villages’ best-kept-secret outings.
### [The Bronx Wanderers](/events/the-bronx-wanderers-the-sharon-performing-arts-center-2026-03-27/) — The Villages A father, his son, and three high school classmates putting on a high-energy show at [The Sharon Performing Arts Center](/directory/sharon-performing-arts-center/) with shows at 3 PM and 7 PM. Classic rock, doo-wop, and nostalgia done right.
### [An Evening with Tuba Skinny](/events/an-evening-with-tuba-skinny-the-tracy-performing-arts-center-2026-03-27/) — The Villages New Orleans street jazz at [The Tracy Performing Arts Center](/directory/tracy-performing-arts-center/) at 5 PM. [Tuba Skinny](/bands/tuba-skinny/) has toured the world and released twelve albums. If you love traditional jazz, this is a don’t-miss.
### [Dueling Pianos](/events/dueling-pianos-march-2026-reilly-2026-03-27/) — [Ocala](/areas/ocala/) [Reilly Arts Center](/directory/reilly-arts-center/) hosts the monthly Dueling Pianos night at 6 PM. Two pianists, your song requests, and a lot of laughs. Reliably one of the best nights out in Ocala.
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### [Wildwood Flashlight Adult Egg Hunt](/events/wildwood-flashlight-adult-egg-hunt-2026/) — [Wildwood](/areas/wildwood/) Adults 21+ only. The [Wildwood Community Center](/directory/wildwood-community-center/) hosts this after-dark egg hunt from 8 to 10 PM. Tickets $15 each. This is as fun as it sounds.
<div style="background: linear-gradient(135deg, #253B49, #3D5A6B); color: #fff; padding: 16px 24px; border-radius: 8px; margin: 32px 0 24px 0; font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 800; letter-spacing: 1px;">SATURDAY</div>
### Ocala Skate Park Grand Opening with Rodney Mullen — Ocala This is the headliner of the weekend. Rodney Mullen — the guy who invented the flatground ollie, the kickflip, and the heelflip — will be at the grand opening of Ocala’s expanded skate park at 517 NE 9th St. from 11 AM to 4 PM. Live music, food trucks, trick competitions, and a meet-and-greet with a genuine skateboarding legend. Free. That evening at 6 PM, the [Reilly Arts Center](/directory/reilly-arts-center/) screens *Bones Brigade: An Autobiography* with a Mullen Q&A. This is a nationally significant appearance — plan to be there.
### [Marion County Day](/events/marion-county-day-2026-03-28/) — Ocala Celebrate everything Marion County at the [McPherson Complex](/directory/mcpherson-complex/) starting at 10 AM. Live music with [The Mudds Jazz & Blues Band](/bands/the-mudds-jazz-and-blues-band), community booths, food, and family activities. Free admission.
### [Japan Festival](/events/japan-festival-eustis-2026-03-28/) — [Eustis](/areas/eustis/) A new cultural event celebrating Japanese heritage with live performances, cultural exhibitions, art workshops, and food. Runs 10 AM to 6 PM in [downtown Eustis](/directory/downtown-eustis/). If you’re looking for something different this weekend, this is it.
### [Spring Plant Sale](/events/spring-plant-sale-2026-03-28/) at [Discovery Gardens](/directory/discovery-gardens/) — Tavares UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteers sell Florida-friendly plants they’ve propagated — herbs, perennials, shade-tolerant varieties, and native shrubs. Starts at 8 AM at [Discovery Gardens](/directory/discovery-gardens/). Knowledgeable volunteers on hand to answer all your gardening questions.
### [Wildwood Flashlight Adult Egg Hunt](/events/wildwood-flashlight-adult-egg-hunt-2026/) — Wildwood Adults 21+ only. The [Wildwood Community Center](/directory/wildwood-community-center/) hosts this after-dark egg hunt from 8 to 10 PM. Tickets $15 each. This is as fun as it sounds.
### [Campfire Dutch Oven Cooking](/events/campfire-dutch-oven-cooking-2026-03-28/) — [Bushnell](/areas/bushnell/) Learn Dutch oven techniques and make several cast-iron dishes at [Dade Battlefield Historic State Park](/directory/dade-battlefield-historic-state-park/) starting at 9 AM. A hands-on class in a beautiful historic setting — the kind of thing you never knew you wanted to do until you did it.
### [Jazz at Lincoln Center: Great American Crooners](/events/jazz-at-lincoln-center-presents-great-american-crooners-the-sharon-performing-arts-center-2026-03-28/) — The Villages [The Sharon Performing Arts Center](/directory/sharon-performing-arts-center/) presents this tribute to Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Bobby Darin at 7 PM. Quintessential crooner music performed at a world-class level.
### [Almost Carpenters + Linda Ronstadt Tribute](/events/almost-carpenters-with-linda-ronstadt-tribute-show-2026-03-28/) — [Mount Dora](/areas/mount-dora/) [Mount Dora Music Hall](/directory/mount-dora-music-hall/) hosts this double tribute concert at 7:30 PM. Two iconic acts, one evening.
### Farmers Markets It’s market day across the region: - **[Ocala Downtown Market](/events/ocala-downtown-market-weekly-2026-04-04/)** at the Pavilion, 9 AM - **[Circle Square Commons Farmers Market](/events/circle-square-farmers-market-2026-03-21/)** in Ocala, 9 AM — named one of the best in the country by Livability.com - **[Brownwood Farmers Market](/events/brownwood-farmers-market-2026-03-28-425/)** in The Villages, 9 AM — 70+ vendors - **[Brooksville Farmers Market](/events/brooksville-farmers-market-2026-03-28-121/)** in [downtown Brooksville](/directory/downtown-brooksville/), 9 AM - **[Renninger’s Flea & Farmers Market](/events/renninger-s-flea-farmers-market-2026-03-28/)** in Mount Dora — one of the largest on the East Coast - **[Market of Marion](/events/market-of-marion-weekly-saturday/)** in [Belleview](/areas/belleview/) — 1,000+ booths - **[Sumter County Farmers Market](/events/sumter-county-farmers-market-saturday-produce-market-weekly-saturday/)** in Bushnell
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### [AdventHealth Silver Springs Half Marathon, 10K & 5K](/events/adventhealth-silver-springs-half-marathon-10k-5k-2026-03-29/) — Ocala Trail races through [Silver Springs State Park](/directory/silver-springs-state-park/). Half marathon at 7:30 AM, 10K at 7:35, 5K at 7:40. Beautiful course along the Silver River. Even if you’re not running, it’s worth coming out to cheer.
### [The Marshall Tucker Band](/events/the-marshall-tucker-band-the-tracy-performing-arts-center-2026-03-29/) — The Villages Southern rock legends at [The Tracy Performing Arts Center](/directory/tracy-performing-arts-center/) at 5 PM. “Can’t You See” and “Heard It in a Love Song” live — that’s a Sunday well spent.
### [Blank Space: Taylor Swift Tribute](/events/blank-space-the-unofficial-taylor-swift-tribute-the-sharon-performing-arts-center-2026-03-29/) — The Villages From country ballads to pop anthems, this tribute covers the full Taylor catalog at [The Sharon Performing Arts Center](/directory/sharon-performing-arts-center/) at 5 PM. If you’ve got Swifties in your life, this is your move.
### [The Jersey Tenors](/events/the-jersey-tenors-reilly-2026-03-29/) — Ocala [Reilly Arts Center](/directory/reilly-arts-center/) at 3 PM. A fun, high-energy vocal show.
### [Tracy Byrd](/events/tracy-byrd-2026-03-29-14-30/) at the [Orange Blossom Opry](/directory/orange-blossom-opry/) — The Villages Country star [Tracy Byrd](/bands/tracy-byrd/) (“Watermelon Crawl,” “Ten Rounds with José Cuervo”) performs at 2:30 PM and again at 7 PM.
### [Sidewalk Prophets](/events/an-acoustic-evening-with-sidewalk-prophets-2026-03-29/) — [Leesburg](/areas/leesburg/) An intimate acoustic concert at [Leesburg High School Auditorium](/directory/leesburg-high-school/) at 7 PM. One night only.
### [Pig on the Pond](/events/pig-on-the-pond-2026-03-27/) Final Day — Clermont Last chance for BBQ and festival fun at [Clermont Waterfront Park](/directory/clermont-waterfront-park/). Don’t miss the sensory-friendly Lily Pad Hour at 10 AM — reduced lights and sound for those who need a calmer experience.
### Dancing the Decades — [Crystal River](/areas/crystal-river/) Annual dance party fundraiser at Family and Friends Reaching for Abilities featuring live band [Hwy 94](/bands/hwy-94/). Dress in your favorite ’60s/’70s/’80s outfit. Benefits developmental disability programs. 10 AM.
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## Weather
| | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |---|---|---|---| | High | 88°F | 84°F | 76°F | | Low | 61°F | 61°F | 59°F | | Conditions | Sunny | Mostly sunny | Partly sunny | | Wind | S 0-5 mph | NNW 0-15 mph, gusts to 30 | ENE 10-15 mph, gusts to 30 | | UV | High (8) | High (7) | Moderate (5) | | Rain | None expected | None expected | None expected |
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