The Florida SpringFest

Silver Springs is a group of artesian springs that feed into the Silver River in Marion County, Florida. It is the largest artesian spring in the world and the site of the oldest commercial tourist attraction in Florida, and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971. Its main features are the glass-bottom boat tours on the river, which have operated there, in various forms, since 1878. (The oldest and only remaining operational boat is the 'Princess Donna' built in 1934. Still in operation today but in Dunnellon FL.) Long privately owned and operated, the springs area was formerly the site of a small amusement park, Silver Springs Nature Theme Park. Developed in the late 19th century, the springs became a tourist destination for Northerners. It changed hands several times over the years, with various operators introducing boat rides and building related attractions of varying scientific and entertainment quality. It was first used as a location for a Hollywood film in 1916, and was a frequent location for the series of Tarzan films in the 1930s and into the 1950s. Beginning in 1993, the first thorough scientific studies of the springs were conducted and wildlife rehabilitation was started. That year, the State of Florida bought the underlying land, while private businesses continued to operate the attractions and concessions. Environmental issues such as nitrate runoff, related to development in the region, adversely affected the park's health and tourist revenues declined. On January 23, 2013, the Florida Cabinet announced the state would take over the facility after the end of the 2013 summer season, and that the park operators would receive a $4 million buyout of their lease. In October 2013, the State of Florida took over operations of Silver Springs Nature Theme Park and combined the property with the adjacent Silver River State Park to form Silver Springs State Park.

Wild Waters was a Water park in Silver Springs, Florida. It was the sister park of Silver Springs Nature Theme Park in Silver Springs. Because Wild Waters was adjacent to Silver Springs, it had many trees and shady areas. There were picnic areas, a snack bar, and an open-air fast food restaurant counter. The park also had a sand volleyball court and a gift shop. Wild Waters was a favorite attraction for tourists visiting the Ocala and Silver Springs area, as well as local residents. It was a small park by modern standards but offered a more relaxed atmosphere than its larger competitors. Wild Waters had a special niche; it attracted people wanting to enjoy a more traditional water park experience. It was among the first water parks in the country to use fiberglass flumes, something that has become the industry standard. On August 9, 2016, it was announced that Wild Waters would close permanently on September 5, 2016, (the same day Wildwater Kingdom closed). The park had ended nearly four decades of operation, and was to be cleared for a new entry into Silver Springs State Park. Left abandoned for over two years, Wild Waters was the subject of several urban exploration YouTube videos due to its ruined state. Demolition of the water park and all of its attractions began in December 2018. As of April 2019, very little of the park remains.

Silver Springs is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Marion County of northern Florida. It is the site of Silver Springs, a group of artesian springs and a historic tourist attraction that is now part of Silver Springs State Park. The community is part of the Ocala metropolitan area. It was first listed as a CDP for the 2020 census, at which time it had a population of 2,844.One of Florida's first tourist attractions, the springs drew visitors even before the U.S. Civil War. Glass-bottom boats have been a popular way to see the 242-acre (98 ha) complex. A small amusement park with various animals, a concert stage, a carousel, and exhibits also developed.

Paradise Park was a tourist attraction and the only local recreational facility "for colored people", as its sign said, about 1 mile (1.6 km) from Silver Springs, near Ocala, Florida. It offered similar features, such as glass-bottom boats, "jungle cruises," a petting zoo, a dance pavilion with jukebox, performers,: 164  a softball field, a horseshoe toss,: 159  and a sandy beach with lifeguards. It operated from 1949 to 1969, closing soon after desegregation of Silver Springs. It served African American patrons prohibited from Silver Springs' boat rides that were limited to whites only.: 5–7  As was the rule during the allegedly separate but equal period, "Paradise Park was alright, but it wasn't up on a par with the white parts of Silver Springs.": 159  At the time, it was one of three beaches open for African Americans in the state of Florida. Admission was free, though swimming cost 35¢, which provided a towel and clothes storage. "Paradise Park drew about 100,000 visitors annually. People came, sometimes by the busload, from as far away as New York and California." At times, the park overflowed with visitors. One day there were 30 buses in the parking lot; on another occasion, 247 cars were counted. "Chartered buses brought visitors from many states.": 27  Brochures were distributed in Georgia and Alabama, seeking these customers.: 146  In 1953, Ebony magazine called it "the newest and largest recreational facility for Negroes in the South".: 162  Churches held mass baptisms at Paradise Park,: 160–162  as well as picnics.: 169  Preachers and choirs had sunrise services.: 187  “Easter egg hunts, baptisms, and picnics were common and at Christmas, Santa Claus would cruise down the river on a glass-bottom boat to pass out candy, nuts, and fruit for young visitors. Herpetologist Ross Allen even set up a reptile exhibit at the park, similar to the one located upriver at Silver Springs.” According to a sign in the promotional movie cited below, "Ross Allen's Wild Animal Exhibit" included "dozens of alligators, hundreds of snakes, monkeys, deer, birds, turtles, lizards, exotic animals" and "Ole Coochie", a "giant alligator". According to a brochure, there was "Ross Allen's unusual Reptile Institute, with its great collection of snakes, alligators, Florida wild animals, birds, and an ever changing variety of lions, tigers, and other animals of that breed. At intervals, Mr. Allen, known thruout the world as a top expert on snakes, will tell you all about their habits as he 'milks' them of venom." On Labor Day, there was a beauty pageant, sponsored by a local American Legion post. "In 1949, Mildred Jones of Sanford was crowned the first Miss Paradise Park." The Future Farmers of America had their conventions there.: 169  The musician B. B. King once visited,: 51  as did Mary McLeod Bethune, who "didn't care too much" for Paradise Park "because it was segregated".: 159  There was a Bethune-Cookman College day, with the day's proceeds donated to the college.: 158  Silver Springs began admitting black patrons in 1967. During Paradise Park's last season, 1968–69, it was open only Saturdays. Sundays, and holidays. It closed quietly in 1969.: 186  The area that was Paradise Park is now covered by underbrush.: 15, 189, 196  It is remembered fondly by its former employees and visitors.: 189–196  "Paradise Park was our roots.": 190 

Marion County is located in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 375,908. Its county seat is Ocala.Marion County comprises the Ocala, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area. It includes part of Ocala National Forest, which also extends into three other counties.

Six Gun Territory was a Western-themed theme park in Ocala, Florida, United States. It opened on February 2, 1963 and closed on January 1, 1984.

Silver Springs State Park, formerly known as Silver River State Park, is a Florida state park located on the Silver River in Marion County. The park contains Silver Springs, Florida's first tourist attraction. The Silver Springs attraction dates to the 1870s. In 1985, the state purchased the land surrounding Silver Springs to spare it from development, creating the Silver River State Park. In 1993, the state acquired Silver Springs, as well, though it continued to be operated privately. In 2013, the state took over control of Silver Springs, merging it with the adjacent parkland to create Silver Springs State Park.

Fort King (also known as Camp King or Cantonment King) was a United States military fort in north central Florida, near what later developed as the city of Ocala. It was named after Colonel William King, commander of Florida's Fourth Infantry and the first governor of the provisional West Florida region. The fort was built in 1827 during United States tensions with the Seminole in Florida, a tribe of mostly Creek people who formed in the early nineteenth century. Originally established to serve as a buffer between new settlers and the Seminole, the fort became an important base in the 1830s for the United States Army during removal of the Seminole and the Seminole Wars. It later served as a courthouse in 1844 after the organization of Marion County, but was eventually abandoned altogether. Residents took it apart to salvage building materials. The site of the fort is preserved as a National Historic Landmark near the corner of East Fort King Street and 39th Avenue in Ocala. In late 2017, the fort was newly reconstructed to be as historically accurate as possible. Archeological investigation has revealed the site was occupied during two lengthy periods by varying cultures of indigenous peoples, beginning as early as 6500 BC, more than 8,000 years ago.

The Indian Lake State Forest is approximately 4,466 acres of gently rolling sandhills and pastures just north of historic Silver Springs in Marion County, Florida. This property was acquired in 2007 and 2008 under the Florida Forever program, with additional money from Marion County and help from The Nature Conservancy, Silver Springs Working Group, and the Department of Environmental Protection.

Huntington is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Florida, United States, west of Baseline Road, between Ocala and Belleview. The community is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area.

East Hall (also known as the Florida Industrial School for Girls) is an historic one-story redbrick building located at 307 Southeast 26th Terrace in Ocala, Florida, United States. It is located on the grounds of the Marion County McPherson Governmental Complex. Designed by architect Frank Parzaile, it was built in 1936 by the Public Works Administration. On July 28, 1995, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It is home to the Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology.