Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Entertainment

Italian Festival opens fall season

Silver Springs serves up the music and food of Italy. Oktoberfest weekends are planned for next month.

By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published September 16, 2005

OCALA - An Italian Festival gets the fall season under way this weekend and Sept. 24 to 25 at Silver Springs nature park.

At the heart of any Italian festival is food, and the menu will include pizza, pasta, ziti, Italian sausage, breads and ice cream. Beer and wine will also be available.

Two bands will provide Italian music. This weekend, Musica Italian performs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Hudson Group will perform Sept. 24 and 25. The Italian Festival will be held at the Ross Allen Islands, which will be decorated with an Italian flag display.

Other events coming this fall will be an Oktoberfest on Oct. 8 and 9 and again on Oct. 22 to 23. The Lovin' Spoonful will perform Nov. 5, and that concert will also feature a Corvette show. A Native American Festival will be Nov. 17 to 19, and the 13th annual Festival of Lights holiday display begins Nov. 25 and resumes Dec. 2 to 3, 9 to 10 and 16 to 30.

Another concert features country music singer Crystal Gayle on Dec. 10. The concerts are held at an amphitheater venue.

All festivals and concerts are included in the price of admission. Guests who bring in any Coke product can purchase up to six daily admission tickets for $21.99 per person, plus tax. Regular admission is $32.99 for adults, $29.99 for seniors (55 and older) and $23.99 for children age 3 to 10.

Silver Springs is a nature-themed amusement park, 565 E Silver Springs Blvd., about 1 mile east of Ocala. Call toll-free 1-800-234-7458, or visit the Web at www.silversprings.com

[Last modified September 16, 2005, 01:35:22]