Located at the corner of County Road 25 and Highway 42 in Weirsdale just a few blocks from Lake Weir, it’s possible to pass by the historic brick building that houses the Orange Blossom Opry without realizing the musical greats that have graced the Opry’s stage over the years.
Built in the 1920s as a school for first through 12th grades, the school closed in 1970 and was left empty until the ‘90s. According to a news article in the Daily Commercial based out of Leesburg, once purchased, the school’s gymnasium became Hawhee’s Country Music Opry and then The Great American Music Hall and the Weirsdale Opry before finally becoming The Orange Blossom Opry (OBO). The current owners, Heather and Roger Beyers, purchased the OBO in 2014 after the death of the previous owner Estelle Benson.
Raised in Leesburg, Roger is also the third-generation owner of Beyers Funeral Homes, which recently celebrated its 100th year in business.
Both Roger and Heather attended many shows at the OBO prior to actually owning it. Before her death, Estelle spoke with Roger about her vision for the Opry once she was gone, and it was then that Roger knew someone needed to continue her legacy.
“The OBO is a place of entertainment, a place to escape when someone is feeling down,” says Roger. “Music lifts us up and brings people together.”
Learn more about the Orange Blossom Opry and check out its full schedule of events in the September issue of 352 Preview Magazine at https://issuu.com/352preview/docs/352_sept22/22.
Check out more local entertainment like this at 352preview.com.
