The closer the holiday season comes to fruition, the more stressful it can be to find the perfect gift, especially for loved ones or a person who appears to have everything they could want.
As an area with a largely democratic majority, Alachua County faced an influx of Instagram stories from students expressing their election disappointment or celebration, and not all of them were ready for peaceful discourse.
Organizations across the county rallied young voters in the college town with incentives and online promotions. On Tuesday, Farah & Farah Personal Injury Lawyers offered free coffee to voters at over 30 coffee shops across Florida and Georgia, including four Gainesville locations.
In the swampy outskirts of Gainesville, the iconic alligator may steal the show among the reptilian ecosystem. But on Southwest Archer Road, Florida Man Reptiles showcases its very own population of nearly 100 reptiles and amphibians. On July 1, its doors opened to the public to shop from a selection of snakes, bearded dragons, turtles, frogs and more.
Members of the Gainesville Latino community gathered July 13 to promote small businesses and Hispanic musical talent at the “Ceviche and Beer Festival.”
On June 29, downtown Gainesville became a vibrant gathering spot for the LGBTQ+ community with the third annual Pride Street Party at The Bull. The event, which took place from 6 to 11 p.m. and was free of charge, featured a variety of performances for all audiences.
Throughout the tranquil greenery of Cynthia Moore Chestnut Park and Clark Butler Nature Preserve, laughter and camaraderie echoed through the trees as Gainesville locals gathered for "Tha Cookout," a vibrant celebration organized by Ashlei and Malcom Askew. The June 16 afternoon event marked not only a celebration of Juneteenth but also a tribute to fatherhood and community spirit.
In the heart of Gainesville, Estefanía Pinto Ruiz, a Colombian passionate about culture, has transformed her love for podcasts into a community movement. In January 2023, she founded Club de Escucha+, a place where Spanish speakers can practice Spanish, share experiences and discuss episodes of NPR's Radio Ambulante podcast.
Horses and humans have always been connected, and this special bond has given rise to equine therapy, an alternative therapy that uses horses to treat various disabilities, improving the physical, mental and emotional health of children.
Though the first week of Pride Month flew by, Gainesville is still jam-packed with festive activities throughout the rest of June. Here’s a guide to five events throughout the city to celebrate Pride Month.
Through engaging displays, colorful visuals and one-on-one interactions with scientists, visitors of The Florida Museum of Natural History can dive into the realm of insects and discover their impact on human culture, the environment and health and wellness.
With Japanese martial arts demonstrations and musical performances, authentic Asian cuisine and local vendors, UF students and Alachua County residents alike gathered at Bo Diddley Plaza May 18 to commemorate the City of Gainesville’s first annual Asian festival.
Donning a winged helmet, a lightning-decorated fanny pack and a toy hammer, Eggleston embarks on a weekly run every Thursday — or as he calls it, “Thorsday.”
Coterie Market announced the closure of its brick-and-mortar store on its Instagram, adding to the list of small businesses Gainesville will lose this month. However, unlike other closures, this is a happy announcement, Coterie said.
The Florida Museum of Natural History hosted its 12th spring plant sale April 19-21. The Earth Day weekend celebration welcomed local gardeners and plant enthusiasts to peruse and purchase from more than 250 exotic and native species of plants.
Solutions by The State News
