Ocali Country Days notches milestone
The 30th annual event showcased the pioneer history of Marion County.
Deb Sands, the resident potter, left, and Patsi Jennings, right, stoke the fire in the Wood-Fired Pottery Kiln during Ocali Country Days in the Cracker Village at the Silver River Museum in Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs, Fla. on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
Visitors to the Ocali Country Days festival from Nov. 8-10 were treated to numerous displays of pioneer life, including the stoking of the wood-fired kiln on the campus of the Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center.
The event also offered entertainment, food trucks, visits to the museum and tram tours of Silver Springs State Park.
Ocali is a historic name for the native Timucuan people who lived in what is now western Marion County. The word was later adapted to become Ocala.
“Over the years the Ocali Country Days festival has become a local favorite and an important fundraiser for the Silver River Museum educational programs. Originally called Pioneer Days, 2024 marks the 30th year the event has been held. The event takes place each fall on the museum grounds and highlights Florida folk life and the pioneer history of Marion County,” Scott Mitchell, a coordinator with Marion County Schools who works at the Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center.
“The weekend is special because of the people involved. Crafters, historical demonstrators, vendors and musicians from around the state arrive to show what life was like years ago. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about old time skills such as sugar cane syrup making, weaving and spinning, blacksmithing, bowl carving, hide making and cooking over an open hearth to name just a few,” he shared.
Mitchell said museum volunteers and staff, and state park rangers and volunteers, make it all possible.
“Countless hours of hard work are required to host the festival. It is a busy time with a student day on Friday and then public days on Saturday and Sunday. Typical attendance is about 4,800 people over three days,” he said.
“A generous grant from the Marion Cultural Alliance, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, helped bring great bands to the festival this year. The bluegrass, folk and blues music only added to the atmosphere to create a memorable weekend,” Mitchell added.
To learn more, go to silverrivermuseum.com/event/2024-ocali-country-days
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