OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Autumn is much more than vibrant colors and a deep connection to nature, especially when it comes to a place that’s become a community hub, Ocala’s World Equestrian Center offers much more than horses and sport.
This fall a show hunter series will take center stage beginning Sept. 24 for three weeks, said Leah Tong, World Equestrian Center director of marketing and brand.
“It is going to bring back our Saturday night Grand Prix for those weekends, so families are welcome to come out on Saturday nights at 7 p.m.,” said Tong. “We’ll have some family-friendly activities going on before that, and then they can enjoy, the real high-level competition that will go on then, and there will be free admission and parking.”
The Shoppes off 80th at the World Equestrian Center are currently under construction and will nearly double the number of retail outlets that are on the property, said Tong. Two tenants have been officially announced, Dover Saddlery, who will have a flagship store in the new retail space, and Equine Instincts, which is an art gallery.
“Equine Instincts is actually going to have a pop-up, in Arena 2, so locals and guests are going to have an opportunity to see a sampling of what they’re going to provide out there at the Shoppes,” said Tong. “We’re looking forward to announcing some really exciting retailers that are going to take up residence on the Shoppes off 80th, and we’re looking forward to that opening next year.”
The Equestrian Manor, which will be so much more than a conference center. is going to open later this year, said Tong.
“We’re really excited to bring that to Ocala because it’s going to feature the largest ballroom in the Ocala area, and it’s going to have the third largest ballroom in the Ocala area, said Tong. “It’s going to be an amazing place for people to host their events, not only locals who might have their own meetings or weddings, it’s going to be spectacular in that venue. We’re going to draw a lot of regional and national business into the Ocala market with that incredible meeting space.”
The Equestrian Manor will feature four restaurants, including an expanded Emma’s Patisserie, said Tong.
“It’s going to be a place you can come in every week and get y9ur bread, get your pastries for the week, get a custom cake for a birthday or anniversary. It’s going to be an incredible place,” said Tong.
The Polo Pony, like the second location of Emma’s Patisserie, will also be downstairs, and will be an American-style restaurant with a lot of elevated classic dishes, said Tong.
“On the rooftop which has spectacular views, we have the White Willow, which is our Pan-Asian concept, we’ll also have an outdoor bar on one of those awesome rooftop patios, as well as a sushi bar on the inside,” said Tong. “Genevieve’s our classic Italian. It’s going to be tremendous, elevated Italian, and it’s also going to have indoor and outdoor dining.”
WEC’s Ocala Food and Wine Festival is returning Nov. 7-9 and will be a chef-driven event, said Tong.
“There’s a 3-day 5-star package, which gives access to a chef’s dinner, and a really special elevated Grand Prix Reception during our show jumping Grand Prix on Saturday night,” said Tong. “And then our Grand Tasting is going to be Nov. 8, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., over 40 vendors, food, wine, spirits, culinary competition and entertainment.”