Defunct Ocala: Revived – Six Gun Territory rides again at Kirby Family Farm

ContributedVisitors step back in time during a Six Gun Territory event at Kirby Family Farm, complete with historical reenactments, pioneer crafts, and old-fashioned storytelling. Six Gun Territory Originals (Facebook)

WILLISTON, FL (352today.com) – Though the original Six Gun Territory closed its gates in 1984, the Wild West still rides strong just 30 minutes south of Ocala – thanks to the efforts of Kirby Family Farm. Since 2015, the nonprofit has hosted an annual Six Gun Territory Wild West Weekend, reviving the spirit, sights and sounds of one of Florida’s most cherished defunct attractions.

Located in Williston, Kirby Family Farm is best known for its working harrow-gauge railroad and large-scale educational events. But each year, the farm transforms into a frontier fantasy, complete with stunt shows, saloon skits and cowboy shootouts, and a bustling Western town modeled after the original Six Gun. The event brings together reenactors, entertainers and even former employees of the original park, creating a nostalgic and immersive experience for guests of all ages.

A wooden depot-style building with yellow paneling and a metal roof stands on a grassy field under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The building features ramps and a deck with railings, while train cars can be seen in the background.
The train depot at Kirby Family Farm is the original depot from the original Six Gun Territory theme parks. It welcomes guests as part of the Six Gun Territory Railroad experience, blending rustic charm with Wild West nostalgia, all while keeping the past alive. Courtesy: Six Gun Territory Originals (Facebook)

The Wild West Weekend serves as a tribute to the original Six Gun Territory, which operated in Ocala from 1963 to 1984. That 200-acre theme park once drew hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, featuring a full-scale Western town, train rides and live-action performances.

Visitors to the revived Six Gun experience are greeted by period-dressed characters roaming the grounds – lawmen, outlaws, saloon girls and trail hands – while steam locomotives circle the property just as they did at the original park.

The event has grown in scale over the years, attracting guests from across the Southeast and gaining attention from preservation groups, nostalgia blogs and former park staff. Organizers aim to capture the fun and excitement of the original Six Gun while educating younger generations on the rich history of Florida’s now-vanished attraction.

The next event, the Six Gun Territory 10th Anniversary Wild West Weekend and Reunion, is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kirby Family Farm, located at 19650 NE 30th St., Williston, FL. Tickets can be purchased at www.kirbyfarm.com. Advance admission is $17.99 for adults and $10.99 for children ages 3-9, while gate prices increase to $20 and $15 respectively. Children 2 and under are admitted free.

A Western-themed festival scene features a man dressed as a sheriff smiling as two young children, both in cowboy hats, playfully aim toy guns at him. Behind them, adults in frontier attire mingle among a large crowd of attendees.
Young cowboys take on a marshal in a lighthearted showdown at a Six Gun Territory celebration, where families enjoy immersive Old West fun. Courtesy: Six Gun Territory Originals (Facebook)

While preserving the magic of the original attraction, the event serves a broader purpose. Kirby Family Farm operates as a nonprofit organization that provides outreach and educational programs and outreach for at-risk and special-needs youth. Proceeds from events like the Wild West Weekend support these community initiatives.

As Florida continues to evolve and its original roadside attractions fade into memory, efforts like this ensure that some pieces of the past aren’t forgotten. The Six Gun Territory Wild West Weekend may take place on new soil, but its heart still beats with the boots, whistles and saloon doors of Ocala’s Wild West.Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the year as 2012. The correct year is 2015.