OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Funding for several upcoming events will be discussed at the Marion County Tourism Development Council meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Those events on the agenda include one of the most eagerly awaited music festivals and a new sporting event.
Among the events on the agenda to be discussed include the Florida Cattlemen’s Association’s JFCA “Hottest Show on Earth,” at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, The Patriot Games Invitational at the Ocala Regional Sports Complex and Rock the Country Ocala at the Florida Horse Park.
The JFCA “Hottest Show on Earth” is scheduled for July 24-26, and the Florida Cattlemen’s Association has requested $3,750. The estimated business sales are $243,146 with a total return on investment expected to be 66 percent. The anticipated attendance for the event is 735 and the minimum room night guarantee is 250. For the past two years the average occupancy rate for the period was 53 percent in 2025 and 54.6 percent in 2024.
The event has occurred previously, but this is the first time that they’ve applied for Tourist Development Council funding. The money would be used for t-shirts and a videographer.
This 3-day youth cattle show kicks off the season’s 2026 point series and is expected to bring in more than 300 youth ages 21 and under, according to the TDC.
- Business Sales Direct: $167,010
- Business Sales Total: $243,146.
- Event Type: Youth Amateur
- Jobs Supported Direct: 89
- Jobs Supported Total: 101
- Local Taxes: $6,242
- Overnight Attendees: 193
- Net Direct Tax Return on Investment: $1,504
- Day Attendees: 578
- Estimated Room Demand: 250
The Pro Am Senior Softball Patriot Games Invitational, a softball tournament to be held at the Ocala Regional Sports Complex, July 25-26, 2026, is a new event. ProAm Sports Association, Inc. has requested the amount of $3,900. The use of the funds would be for facility rental, softballs and Internet for live streaming production/scoring.
The business sales totals are $233,238 with a total anticipated return on investment of 58 percent. The anticipated attendance for the tournament is 500, with the minimum room night guarantee being 260. It’s expected that 25-30 senior softball teams will be participating.
- Business Sales Direct: $160,652
- Business Sales Total: $233,238
- Event Type: Adult Amateur
- Jobs Supported Direct: 101
- Local Taxes Total: $6,162
- Overnight Attendees: 259
- Net Direct Tax Return on Investment: $1,321
- Day Attendees: 666
- Estimated Room Demand: 269
Rock the Country Ocala is a music festival scheduled for Aug. 27-30, 2026, at the Florida Horse Park. Peach Tree Entertainment, LLC has requested $49,995. The use of the funds will be for marketing, advertising and event production expenses.
The country music festival in 2024 didn’t request funding from the TDC; however, they requested and received $50,000 in 2025. This year’s concert will be headlined by Brooks and Dunn and Blake Shelton. In addition to the live music, there will be food trucks, artisan vendors and interactive activities capturing the spirt of country living, according to the TDC. Rock The Country hosts concerts in multiple locations nationwide, and for the third consecutive year, Ocala will be the only site in Florida to host the event.
- Business Sales Direct: 6,558,056
- Business Sales Total: $9,468,385
- Event Type: Performing Arts
- Jobs Supported Direct: 1,857
- Jobs Supported Total: 2,258
- Local Taxes: $282,458
- Overnight Attendees: 13,090
- Net Direct Tax Return on Investment: $198,348
- Day Attendees: 10,710
- Estimated Room Demand: 21,862
