Honoring moms in a most special way

As usual, thousands of people of all ages converged on the spacious lawn of the Ocala Golf Club on May 12 for the annual Symphony Under the Stars concert by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, followed by brilliant fireworks display to cap off the day.

The event is hosted by the Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO) nonprofit and is held to benefit the group’s annual Ocala Arts Festival each fall, which spans multiple blocks around downtown Ocala.

This year’s symphony event chair was Katrina Neumann, with co-chair Emily Andrews. Both are FAFO board members and worked behind the scenes for months leading up to Sunday.

The day was filled with families bringing in picnic baskets, blankets, chairs and games. Children romped around the area while adults sipped libations and enjoyed spreads such as charcuterie boards.

As always, the OSO, under the baton of Maestro Matthew Wardell, gave a rousing musical performance.

And then, “boom” went the skies, with the fireworks flares lighting up the course and most of greater Ocala in the process.

To learn more, go to fafo.org