CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Summer may be winding down, but the fun around Citrus County certainly is not. From live rock ’n’ roll and local theater to farmers markets, downtown concerts and one of the area’s biggest art festivals, residents have plenty of reasons to get out of the house over the next few months.
Here are some of the upcoming events worth putting on the calendar.
Market at the Depot — Saturday, August 15
If your ideal Saturday morning includes fresh produce, homemade treats and locally made goods, head to the Depot District, 300 N. Apopka Avenue in Inverness, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Market at the Depot brings together local vendors offering produce, fresh seafood, jams and jellies, hot sauce, dried fruit, candies, plants, crafts, repurposed furniture and more. It is an easy way to spend a morning downtown while supporting Citrus County growers, artisans and small businesses. The market normally takes place on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
What to do: Come hungry, browse the vendor tables, pick up something locally made and then take a walk through downtown Inverness or along the nearby parks and Withlacoochee State Trail.
“The Return of the Chick Magnets” — August 14–23
Looking for something different? The Peacock Players are bringing an original comedy, “The Return of the Chick Magnets,” to the historic Valerie Theatre, 207 Courthouse Square in Inverness.
The story follows Bobby Carnival, the leader of a fictional big-hair rock band who disappeared at the height of his career. Expect comedy, rock-star nostalgia, original music and plenty of over-the-top hair.
Performances include Friday, August 14 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, August 15 at 2 p.m.; Sunday, August 16 at 2 p.m.; Friday, August 21 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, August 22 at 2 p.m.; and Sunday, August 23 at 2 p.m. The production is rated Teen+.
What to do: Make it a downtown date. Grab dinner around Courthouse Square, see the show and enjoy an evening walking through historic Inverness.
Aerosmith Tribute Concert — Saturday, August 22
Get ready to turn up the volume in Citrus Springs.
Pandora’s Box — The Ultimate Tribute to Aerosmith will perform at the Citrus Springs Community Center, 1570 W. Citrus Springs Boulevard, on Saturday, August 22.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and the concert begins at 6 p.m. General admission is listed at $25, while VIP admission is $55 and includes seating closer to the stage and two drinks. Food, beer, wine and other beverages are expected to be available inside the climate-controlled venue.
Fans can expect a night built around the sound and energy of classic Aerosmith — a fun opportunity for longtime rock fans to revisit the music of one of America’s biggest bands.
What to do: Get there when the doors open, grab some food, find your seat and prepare for a full evening of classic rock.
“Boeing Boeing” at the Valerie — Beginning August 28
The laughs continue at the Valerie Theatre with “Boeing Boeing,” presented by Under Siege Enterprises.
The comedy follows Bernard, a bachelor in 1960s Paris who is secretly engaged to three airline stewardesses at the same time. His carefully constructed schedule begins falling apart when faster airplanes throw everyone’s travel plans into chaos.
The first scheduled performance is Friday, August 28 at 7:30 p.m., with another listed for Sunday, August 30 at 2:30 p.m., at the Valerie Theatre in downtown Inverness.
What to do: Pair the performance with lunch or dinner downtown and make an afternoon or evening out of it.
Jimmy Buffett Day Comes to Crystal River — Sunday, August 30
Parrotheads, mark this one down.
The Crystal River Nights Concert Series is planning a special Jimmy Buffett Day celebration at Crystal River Town Square, 559 N. Citrus Avenue on Sunday, August 30.
The free event is scheduled to feature The Landsharks, a band that previously performed as a house band at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville.
Expect the laid-back island atmosphere that fits Crystal River perfectly.
What to do: Put on the Hawaiian shirt, spend part of the day around downtown Crystal River and Kings Bay, visit local shops and restaurants, and then head to Town Square for the music.
The event calendar currently lists the date and location but does not provide a confirmed start time, so residents should check the event listing before heading out.
Small Town Saturday Night — Saturday, September 12
Downtown Inverness is getting ready to rock.
Small Town Saturday Night returns to Courthouse Square on September 12 from 5 to 9 p.m., and admission is free.
This time the headline act is Absolute Journey, a Journey tribute band performing favorites associated with the legendary group, including the kind of arena-rock anthems that practically demand a crowd singalong.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own seating. The city says outside alcohol and coolers are not permitted, and alcohol purchased downtown must remain in approved entertainment-district cups.
What to do: Arrive early, find a good spot on the Square, visit the downtown restaurants and shops and stay for the evening concert.
Inverness Festival of the Arts — November 7 & 8
One of Citrus County’s longest-running cultural traditions returns this fall.
The Inverness Festival of the Arts will take over downtown Inverness on Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
The juried art festival dates back to 1971 and brings artists and craftspeople from around the country to Citrus County. This year’s event is expected to include fine art, fine crafts, interactive exhibits, artist demonstrations and live performances.
Admission is listed as free.
What to do: Give yourself several hours. Browse the artwork, talk with the artists, watch demonstrations and explore downtown businesses while you’re there. For anyone starting their Christmas shopping early, this could also be a great place to find something that isn’t sitting on the shelf of a big-box store.
There’s More Happening Around Citrus County
These are only some of the events currently appearing on local calendars. Discover Crystal River’s countywide calendar also lists live music and community activities throughout Crystal River, Homosassa, Hernando, Citrus Springs and Inverness, with additional events being added as dates approach.
Citrus County sometimes gets portrayed as a sleepy part of Florida. The next few months tell a different story.
You can shop from local farmers on Saturday morning, see live theater that evening, catch an Aerosmith tribute the following weekend, celebrate Jimmy Buffett in Crystal River, sing along to Journey in downtown Inverness and then welcome fall surrounded by artists from across the country.
And perhaps the best part is that many of these events give residents an opportunity to support the local businesses, restaurants, musicians, artists and organizations that make Citrus County feel like home.
So grab the family, call some friends and mark those calendars.
There is plenty to do right here in Citrus County.
Event schedules can change because of weather or other circumstances. Readers should confirm dates and times with organizers before traveling.
