Brick City Beer and Wine Festival: Large Crowds and Live Music at Citizen’s Circle in Ocala

Posted on 4.5.26 12:35 PM
Saga CommunicationsThe Hord of Culture got guests cheering during the Brick City Food and Wine Festival, earning them first place for their performance on April 4, 2026. Amber Battillo/352today

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Ocala Silver Springs and Ocala Sunset Rotary Clubs hosted their 12th year of craft fun with the Brick City Beer and Wine Festival on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Citizen’s Circle. Presented by the World Equestrian Center, this annual event raises donations for Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion Literacy Council and Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection.

A group of women stand behind a table with a bright orange tablecloth with words reading, "Kimberly's Center for Child Protection."
Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection was a vibrant feature at the Brick City Food and Wine Festival on April 4, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Crowds gathered, trying out beers, wines and more alcoholic beverages from a variety of vendors ranging from local bars to large chains. Upon entry, guests received wristbands allowing them to try samples of drinks from booths, including Tillman & Associates Engineering, LLC, Arizona Beverages, Brick City Brewers, Black Sheep on Broadway, Cypress and Grove Brewing Company, Hogtown Brewers and Blue Moon. For those looking for food or snacks before indulging in drinks, food trucks were on-site selling delectable treats with barbecue from Big Lee’s BBQ, seafood from the Real Maine Lobster, the Donut Express, Gaucha Empanadas and Pepere Joe’s.

Vendor booths are set up in a patch of grass on the side of a sidewalk while guests surrounding the area stop for drinks. The visible vendors are Sun Cruiser and Twisted Tea.
Vendors line either side of a sidewalk while people walk in between them with some stopping for drinks.
Alcoholic beverages are scattered on a table with a red tablecloth. In the background, people speak and stand in the area.

Amidst the tasting, some vendors handed out small items such as hand sanitizer, fans, water, wristbands and other items advertising businesses. These businesses included Maricamp Animal Hospital, Zone Health & Fitness, The Boyd Group, Recharge Clinic, Marion County Literacy Council and Marion County Search and Rescue, which provided a first aid station for the afternoon.

A woman stands at a vendor booth wearing bunny ears, advertising Maricamp Animal Hospital.
Two men stand behind a table with items advertising Zone Health and Fitness. In the background is a lively festival with various vendors.

A highlight of the event every year is the battle of the bands hosted by WIND-FM where bands take the stage and entertain dancing crowds. Judges this year included Alan Wood with Southern Society, John Viola with R Style and Mike and Deanna Geier with Recording Ranch. Presenting the winners were WIND-FM’s Scott Chase and on-air personalities Hunter and Dupree who handed the awards to the winners. The bands featured Jay Tyler and the Immortals who won third place and received $100, Gabriel and the Get Out Band who won second place and received $300 and The Horde of Culture who won first place for the second year and received $600.

A band stands together holding a sign that reads, "$600." Standing with them is three people with shirts that read, "Wind-FM."
A band stands together holding a sign that reads, "$300." Standing with them are two people with shirts that read, "Wind-FM."
A band stands together holding a sign that reads, "$100." Standing with them are two people with shirts that read, "Wind-FM."

This annual event draws large crowds who laugh, dance and enjoy drinks and food with friends while listening to energetic bands. To learn more about the Brick City Beer and Wine Festival, call Tillman & Associates Engineering, LLC at 352-387-4540.