This cache was placed by a member of the
Northeast Florida Geocachers Association
The following information came from a Press Release "Ocala, Florida Horse Fever." I have condensed it for this page. The full press release can be found at www.horseweb.com/articles/press/hf_020305.
March 6, 2002 – Ocala, Florida had conducted a public arts project called Horse Fever, where 52 horses were decorated by local artists. They went up for bid with the proceeds going to specific charities in the horse industry and to support the local arts scene. "Horse Fever" in Ocala utilized local groups and sponsors.
Ocala, Florida has more real equines residing there than anywhere else in Florida, with 20,000 horses, 1200 farms and a $2.2 billion horse industry. Now add the show horses of the artistic kind to Ocala, Florida.
"Our show of horses is truly an art show. We didn't do whimsy things, craft things; we did art," said Laurie Menard, chairwoman of the Horse Fever Steering Committee. Horse Fever is a combined effort of the Marion Cultural Alliance and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association.
Horse Fever artists came from diverse backgrounds, including airbrush artists who decorate cars for a living, and an architect who is also an artist. "Our art represents our area," said Paula King, chairwoman of the board of directors of the Marion Cultural Alliance.
This square has been dedicated as a Public Square in the original Ocala Plat of 1846. Marion County's First permanent court house was of colonial design.
Many activities occur here throughout the year. The lighting of all the trees for the Christmas Holiday is enjoyed by people of all ages. There are also weddings in the Gazebo, bands, speeches, etc. Nov. 20th, 2004, was the 21st anniversary of "LIGHT UP THE SQUARE". Food, entertainment, children's activities and the Junior Sunshine Children's Parade were held that day. Also in the afternoon, Ocala on Ice returned with an outdoor ice skating rink, that was operated through the 1st week of January. Just after dark, over 200,000 lights were turned on in an eight-block area of the historic Downtown Square.
Bring a lunch and rest awhile. Or you can visit Judy's Hotdog Stand on the SW corner for a hotdog or Italian sausage, chips and a drink.
You will find 5 of the Ocala Horse Fever horses located here. Within walking distance, inside the Ocala Chamber of Commerces office Visitor's Center, another one that is #5 (on the list I am using), called Cultural Champion. Also in the Visitor's Center is the foal called Cali Ocala. The Chamber office is open 9-5 M-F. Closed Sat/Sun. Several plaques are situated around the park. You will need to find these to answer the questions. The cache location is at 29/11.ABC 082/08.DEF Most of those people resting on the park benchs are the city of Ocala's homeless men and women that like to sit there during the day. While waiting for the right time to place one of my previous caches, (that disappeared), I watched one of the homeless pouring motor oil in his sneakers. I think he did that because, so that after I left, he could run faster to the cache than the others that were there. They have muggled the cache many times already. I kept moving it and they kept taking it. Email me with the description of the object at the calculated position. There is no longer a log to sign. See the hint.
And now on to the hunt. Good luck. If the clue requires you to figure a number, you will need to substitute numbers for letters, ie; A=1, B=2, etc. The original coordinates should take you to the center of the circle in the square. If not go a few feet to the center and start from there. Any clue given that requires you to go a certain number of degrees, will originate from that point. At each stage you will need to find a clue for the final coordinates.
1. Go 330 degrees from the center and will find a horse's name that has the same letter used more than once. The number of times used is clue A.
2. Go 180 degrees. You will find a plaque dedicated to the Veterans. The 1st number of the TV station's number is clue F.
3. Go 120 degrees. Add the 1st 2 letters of 1st name. Add the 1st 2 letters of the 2nd name. Then subtract the 2nd answer from the 1st answer. That is clue B.
4. Go 030 degrees. The 5th letter of the 2nd name is clue C.
5. Go 240 degrees. Find the name and subtract the 3rd to last letter from the 2nd to last letter. You now have clue E.
6.You have been pretty much all over the park. A couple times you were very close to the answer to clue 6. To get that clue you need to find the plaque that tells about the Ocala Demands. Add each number in the year then subtract the number for letter Q. You now have clue D.
Go to the calculated postion and email me with the object that is located there. Hint, hint. It is black.
Good luck
12/26/4 Cache is alive and well.
3/16/5 Replaced.
4/12/5 Replaced.
4/18/5 Replaced.
5/5/5 Not replaced. See hint.