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MICANOPY — Local artists are invited to capture the natural beauty of Alachua County’s landscapes during a plein air painting session hosted by the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (EPD) at Barr Hammock Levy Loop on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, from 2 to 6 p.m.

The free outdoor event encourages painters to set up their easels amid one of the county’s most scenic conservation areas. Participants are asked to bring their own art supplies, though a limited number of chairs and community art materials will be available.

Organizers advise attendees to dress for the weather, wear comfortable clothing, and bring sunscreen and at least one liter of drinking water. There are no restroom facilities on-site.

The plein air event is part of a season-long celebration marking the 25th anniversary of Alachua County Forever, the county’s land conservation program. Established in 2000, the program has preserved thousands of acres of environmentally significant lands through partnerships and public investment. To commemorate the milestone, EPD is hosting a series of field trips and community events leading up to an anniversary celebration in December.

Artists and community members can learn more about the Alachua County Forever program and upcoming anniversary events through the county’s website.

Those wishing to participate in the Nov. 2 session should RSVP by emailing mneelands@alachuacounty.us. For additional details, contact Environmental Specialist Milo Neelands at 352-451-7818.

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~ The following is a press release provided by the Alzheimer's Association. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff. ~

Event is Oct. 23 at the Gainesville Circus Center.

October 15, 2025 — The Children’s Trust of Alachua County and the Gainesville Circus Center invite community members to a fun and interactive celebration of Lights on Afterschool, a nation-wide event that brings awareness to the importance of safe and engaging afterschool programs. The Oct. 23rd event will be hosted at the Gainesville Circus Center and kicks off at 4:00 p.m.

“The Children’s Trust of Alachua County is excited to sponsor Lights on Afterschool to highlight the role afterschool programs play in the community,” said Marsha Kiner, executive director of the Children’s Trust. “Afterschool programs are a vital extension of the school day. They provide children with safe, structured environments where they can continue learning, explore new interests, and build important life skills. When we invest in afterschool, we’re investing in the future of our community.”

Lights On Afterschool is a national celebration dedicated to promoting the accessibility of afterschool programs to all families and children. This event highlights the valuable opportunities and benefits that afterschool programs provide to children, as well as their families and the community at large.

The Children’s Trust of Alachua County funds seven afterschool programs in Alachua County, serving children in grades K-12.

One of those programs, the Gainesville Circus Center, takes afterschool engagement to new heights with their unique and creative programming. Dr. Corey Cheval, director and founder, shares, “Gainesville Circus Center looks forward to showcasing the youth artists in our program. This feat would not be possible without our on-going partnership with the Children's Trust. We invite families to discover all this community has to offer for kids afterschool!” Circus Center students will be both performing and engaging families with hands-on circus activities at the event. Learn to juggle, enjoy free food, bounce, craft, and play at this year’s Lights on Afterschool at the Gainesville Circus Center!

WHAT: Lights On Afterschool

WHEN: Oct. 23, 4:00 -6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Gainesville Circus Center, 1925 Northwest 2nd Street, Gainesville, FL 32609

COST: Free

“Lights on Afterschool is just one opportunity we have to celebrate all that our afterschool providers give to our community,” Kiner said. “By keeping kids safe, supporting working parents, and fostering the next generation of leaders, these programs create a positive impact that reaches every corner of our community. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our afterschool providers, whose commitment and care make these outcomes a reality.”

~ The following is a press release provided by Alachua County on Oct. 17, 2025. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff. ~

With all the discussion happening across Florida about local government budgets, Alachua County is joining the conversation through this series: Cents & Sensibility: Alachua County’s Budget in Eight Chapters.

Chapter 2: What is the General Fund

 Every year, Alachua County builds a budget that helps keep our community running smoothly. At the heart of this effort is the general fund, the county’s primary operating fund, which pays for essential/core government services that residents rely on every day.

 Read Chapter 2: What is the General Fund in full.

 Read Chapter 1: How You Shape the County Budget.

For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or msexton@alachuacounty.us.

Photo by Mark Ebey / Special to Alachua County Today

~ The following is a press release provided by the Alzheimer's Association. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff. ~

GAINESVILLE, Fla., October 14, 2025  –  Nearly 1,000 Gainesville-area residents gathered Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s, raising funds and awareness for a disease that affects more than 12% of Floridians age 65 and older.

Participants walked through the church grounds carrying colorful flowers that symbolized their personal connection to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Blue flowers represented those living with the disease, yellow honored caregivers, purple remembered loved ones lost, and orange showed support for a future without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

Gainesville resident Allie Jaffe carried a yellow flower in honor of her mother, who is living with Alzheimer’s. The diagnosis, she said, came as a shock to the family.

“This was devastating to me as my mom has always been the pillar of strength in our family,” Jaffe said. “She is still my mom, but not the mom from years past. I can still make her laugh, and that’s a good day.”

More than 7 million Americans are currently estimated to be living with Alzheimer’s, a progressive brain disease that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Florida has the second-highest number of residents living with the disease, making local support and fundraising efforts vital.

Walk Chair Christina Ebey said she walks in honor of many loved ones impacted by Alzheimer’s, including her grandmother and aunt, and the recent advances in treatment.

“I walk because every step brings us closer to hope, awareness and a cure,” Ebey said.

Continued funding for research has led to new FDA-approved treatments that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. For the first time, families have hope for more time with their loved ones. However, these treatments are available only in the early stages of the disease, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis.

"This Walk is so important because it brings our community together to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and the impact it has on families every day,” said Ritchie Pickron, development manager for Walk to End Alzheimer's Gainesville. “By participating in this event, we’re not only funding critical research and treatments, but also helping people recognize the warning signs and understand where to turn for help. Awareness is the first step toward earlier diagnosis, better support, and ultimately, a cure.”

The event was nationally presented by Edward Jones. To date, participants have raised more than $113,000 to benefit care, support, research, advocacy and awareness initiatives through the Alzheimer’s Association Central and North Florida Chapter.

Donations are being accepted through Dec. 31 at alz.org/GainesvilleWalk. 

Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s. 

Alzheimer's Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900. 

~ The following is a press release provided by the Gainesville Fine Arts Association. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff. ~

 An Artistic Game of Chance and Collective Creativity

Gainesville, FL – On October 30^th, 2025, the Gainesville Fine Arts Association will take their support for artistic creativity to a new level - with an old game - that promises inspiration, intrigue and satisfaction for the community’s collective passion for creativity.

Exquisite Corpse Art-A-Thon is a collaborative art-making game developed by Surrealist artists in the 1920s. Each artist adds to the piece without seeing the whole work - only a small portion of the previous section is visible as a guide. The artwork is passed from one artist to the next, creating unexpected juxtapositions and dreamlike compositions as each adds their own vision. The process celebrates chance and collective creativity. There will be 8 large pieces, with three artists working on each one. 

Beginning October 28^th, the artists will set up in front of GFAA Gallery, 1314 S. Main Street, Gainesville, and each artist will have 24 hours to complete their assigned section. Just like a marathon, you can directly support each artist by sponsoring their specific fundraising page. All proceeds raised will go to the artist (30%) and to our nonprofit programming here at GFAA (70%). Donation portal is https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/peer-to-peer/exquisite-corpse-art-a-thon.

Overview:

From Tuesday to Thursday, October 28 to 30^th, 2025, twenty-four artists will take over GFAA to participate in Exquisite Corpse Art-A-Thon, an artistic game of chance and collective creativity to inspire the community to sponsor the local artists involved as well as GFAA’s work to promote and encourage local artists. Public viewing of the artists creating is from 11am to 4pm each day.

Details:

Twenty-four artists will be working on eight 3 x 6.5 ft panels. Works will be revealed on Halloween night, October 31^st at 7:30pm during Gainesville's Artwalk from 7pm to 10pm and auctioned at a Silent Auction with bidding through Small Business Saturday, November 29th, during GFAA's first 'MADE Art Market.' Exquisite Corpse bidding will close and winners announced at 4 pm. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Watch the artists at work on October 28^th– 30^thfrom 11am to 4pm at GFAA
• See the big reveal on Halloween evening, Friday, October 31^stat 7:30pm, (Art Walk Artist Reception will also be held from 7pm to10pm) at GFAA
• Exquisite Corpse exhibit on view with silent auction bidding open from October 31st – November 29th, 2025
• Silent auction bidding closes: November 29^th, at 4pm (during MADE: Art Market, 11am - 5pm) at GFAA

All exhibitions are free and open to the public. If interested, volunteers are needed to assist in the artists’ hospitality. Contact Katy at director@gainesvillefinearts.org for more information.

This project is funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of Arts and Culture and the State of Florida, the City of Gainesville, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department and the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.

EXQUISITE CORPSE ART-A-THON

An Artistic Game of Chance and Collective Creativity

The Artists

Work #1:

Lexi Braun

Ursa Johnson

April Burk Clark

 Work #2:

Avery Oquinn

 Arianna Leon

Charis Cochran

Work #3:

Daniel Horak

Frank Curtis

Frank Barone

Work #4:

Sarit Sela

Heidi M. Stein

Michelle Nagri

Work #5:

Lisa Klug

Sylvia McIntyre-Crook

Stephanie Perez

Work #6:

1. Shannon Sweeney

Linda McVay

Jasmine Laska

Work #7:

Mandy St. Peter

Cheryl Russell

Andrew Hix

Work #8:

 Ryan Griffin

Brian Moody

Peter Senesac

ALACHUA ‒ Downtown Alachua added a new rhythm to its weekends on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, as the long-anticipated Market on Main officially debuted at Skinner Park, reintroducing a weekly market experience that celebrates local craftsmanship, small business, and homegrown creativity. From handmade soaps and jewelry to jams, cakes, greenery, woodworking, and tallow-based lotions, the market offered a vibrant mix of sights, scents, and flavors that signaled a fresh chapter for downtown activity.

Organized by the Alachua Business League, the new market is designed to showcase the creativity and entrepreneurship of local residents while giving downtown a renewed weekend attraction. The event marked the first regularly scheduled market in the city in several years. Opening-day attendance was steady, with shoppers filling the park early to browse, sample goods, and mingle with neighbors.

Previous farmers markets in Alachua — including those once hosted by the Alachua Chamber of Commerce — eventually faded as vendor participation and attendance declined. Organizers of the Market on Main say this new version was built for sustainability, featuring seasonal scheduling and a focus on locally made, artisan-quality goods alongside a selection of traditional produce.

Through March 2026, the market will operate Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beginning in April, it will transition to “Summer Nights,” taking place Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. through September. The dual schedule is designed to accommodate both vendors and visitors while offering flexibility during Florida’s warmer months.

The market’s variety reflects how the community’s small-business culture has evolved — from traditional farming to a diverse network of local makers, hobbyists, and independent retailers. The goal is to provide both a venue for traditional farmers market products and a platform for local entrepreneurs, as well as a welcoming gathering place for residents.

The Market on Main’s debut also comes amid regional discussions about the future of local markets. The long-standing Alachua County Farmers Market in Gainesville — in operation for more than 40 years — may soon close or relocate as county officials consider new uses for its site on U.S. Highway 441.

Alachua’s new market offers a convenient alternative for vendors and shoppers alike, combining the accessibility of downtown with the walkable, family-friendly character that defines the city’s historic district.

Although Skinner Park serves as the current site, city leaders are developing plans to eventually move the market to Main Street itself. A bollard system now in design would allow temporary street closures between Northwest 150^th Avenue and Northwest 148^th Place for community events such as the Market on Main, parades, and downtown festivals.

For many attendees, Saturday’s debut was about more than shopping — it was a chance to reconnect with neighbors and celebrate the creativity that defines small-town life. With strong community support, organizers hope the Market on Main will become a weekly tradition that showcases local talent, supports small business, and strengthens Alachua’s growing downtown identity.

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