OCALA, Fla. (March 18, 2022) – The following is a list of road closures that will be in effect for the Ocala Parade of Champions, which will take place Saturday, March 26 at 5 p.m. The parade will welcome home local Olympians, Brittany Bowe, Erin Jackson, and Joey Mantia who all medaled in the 2022 Winter Games. 

Events include a parade and recognition ceremony:

• 5 to 5:15 p.m. – Parade begins at Webb Field and ends  in downtown Ocala
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. – Mayor’s Recognition Ceremony at the Ocala Downtown Gazebo
• 7 to 7:15 p.m. – Meet and greet with athletes

The parade route will begin at Webb Field, 1510 NW Fourth St., and travel eastbound on SR 40 to the historic downtown square.  The Mayor will host a post-parade event at the Ocala Downtown Gazebo, SE First Ave., 5:30 to 7 p.m. This special recognition ceremony is to celebrate and honor these athletes.  Both the parade and the recognition ceremony are free and open to the public. 

Due to the brief parade route, attendees are asked not to place chairs along the parade path prior to the event. This policy is in place as a precaution to prevent chairs from interfering with vehicular and pedestrian traffic. 

Road Closures effective Saturday, March 26 from 4 to 8 p.m.

• Pine Ave (US 441) from SW Tenth St. (SR 200) to NW 14^th St. (SR 492)
• St. Rd. 40 from NE Eighth Ave. to NW 16^th Ave. (MLK)

Roads Closures effective Saturday, March 26 from 2 to 10 p.m.   

• NE/SE First Ave. from E. Fort King St. to NE First St.
• NE/SE Osceola Ave. from SE Broadway St. to NE First St.
• N/S Magnolia Ave. from W Fort King St. to NE First St.
• NW/SW First Ave. from W Fort King St. to NW First St.
• NW/SW Second Ave. from W Fort King St. to NW First St.
• NW/SW Third Ave. from W Fort King St. to NW First St.
• SE/SW Broadway St. from US 441 to SE First Ave.
• NE/NW First St. from NW/SW Third Ave. to NW First Ave.
• NE/NW Second St. from NW Third Ave. to NW First Ave.

Detour routes

• St. Rd. 40 – NE Eighth Ave to NE/NW 14^th St. (SR 492) to NW 16^th Ave. (MLK) back to St. Rd. 40
• Pine Ave. -  SW Tenth St. (SR 200) to NW 16^th (MLK) to NW Tenth St. (SR 492) back to Pine Ave.
• Magnolia Ave. (southbound) – NE Third St. to NE Watula Ave. to SE Fifth St. back to Magnolia Ave.
• SE First Ave. – SE Fifth St. to SE Watula Ave to NE Third St. back to NE First Ave.

Citizens may utilize the downtown parking garage, 296 SE Broadway St., along with designated street parking where available. Carpooling, biking, walking, and public transportation are encouraged due to potential crowd size. 

For more information on these privately sponsored events happening throughout the weekend, please contact the following:

Friday, March 25, 7:30 to 9 a.m. – Breakfast with our Olympians 

Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP), 352-629-8051

To purchase tickets for this event: Breakfast With Our Olympians (ocalacep.com)

Friday, March 25, 6 p.m. – Welcome Reception

Marion County Black History Museum, Davida Randolph, 352-671-4175

Guests must register to attend this free event. Space is limited.

Saturday, March 26, 5 p.m. – Parade of Champions

Friends of the Christmas Parade, Sue Mosely, 352-427-9898

This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, March 26, 5:30 to 7 p.m. – Recognition Ceremony

Ocala Mayor, Kent Guinn, 352-401-3977

This event is free and open to the public.