PRCA News

The Thomas Center Galleries announce the opening of the ABOUT FACE Portraits with Presence exhibition to be presented in the Historic Thomas Center’s Main and Mezzanine Galleries from Friday, June 27 to Saturday, September 20. An opening reception for the exhibition will take place Friday, June 27 from 6 to 10 p.m.

The parking lot at Greentree Park (2101 NW 39 Avenue) will be closed part of the day on Thursday, May 29, for resurfacing and construction of a stormwater pond. Then a portion of the parking will be open later in the day Thursday and Friday while the contractor finishes necessary work.  Park patrons are asked to park at Kiwanis Challenge Park (NW 36TH Avenue).  We apologize for any inconvenience. 

On Friday, June 20 at 11 a.m., thousands of children and adults will unite at aquatics facilities around the globe to set a new global record for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL). The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is joining Team WLSL to once again break a world record and send the message that swimming lessons save lives. The global record attempt will take place at three Gainesville locations: Andrew R. Mickle Pool, Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) Pool and H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside) Pool.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department is gearing up for another great summer of aquatics! On Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26, all municipal pools will be open and there are activities all season long for all ages and skill levels: biathlons to group and private swim lessons, water aerobics to cross-training, and even certifications for lifeguarding and first aid.

Do you need new goals to motivate your fitness or want variety in your workouts? The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department offers the 2014 Gainesville Biathlon Challenge and Triton Fitness Gainesville to get you in shape!

Gainesville Art in Public Places Trust has released the Call to Artists for the Main Street Artscape temporary art installation, a joint project of the City of Gainesville Public Works Department and the Gainesville-Alachua County Art in Public Places Trust.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is hosting a Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 26 at 2 p.m. at the gravesite of Cpl. Milton Lewis at the Historic Evergreen Cemetery. This annual event is sponsored by the Milton Lewis Young Marines of Gainesville, who will dedicate a newly installed bench at the gravesite of Cpl. Lewis

Coming off a string of recent spring music festivals such as the Purple Hatters Ball at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and the Orange Blossom Jamboree music and arts festival in Brooksville Florida, Wester Joseph’s Stereo Vudu returns to the Bo Diddley Community Plaza in downtown Gainesville Friday, May 23 at 8 p.m. for a special “Free Fridays” concert. The band has recently added a few new cover songs to spice up the set list and will introduce a few new songs from their upcoming EP due out later this summer.

Score more fun and fitness with Pop Warner Football or Cheerleading! The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department provides a great opportunity to be active and learn with Pop Warner sports. We teach our youth that character counts! We teach fairness, caring, citizenship, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness, while focusing on academic achievement.

Mick Marino, who has in past years organized notable “Free Fridays” tribute concerts, such as The Band (2013), The Rolling Stones (2012) and the Allman Brothers (2010 and 2011), has organized this season’s tribute to Bob Dylan. He has assembled an all-star cast of accomplished local musicians.