Daily
Gainesville
Saturday, February 21st, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 21st of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Families are invited to join Summer Blitz 2026 at Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center, where over 30 organizations will offer summer camp, enrichment programs, job opportunities, food, music, and a PlayStation Madden Football Tournament. The free event runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., March 7 (1028 NE 14th St.). Alachua Chronicle
- ➤ The upcoming Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show will run March 5-10 at the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center in Newberry — the free event highlights 4-H and FFA exhibits and offers hands-on agricultural learning for local youth. Alachua Chronicle
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The All Music For Music Festival returns to downtown Gainesville on Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m., showcasing 28 local acts at three venues (The Bull, Loosey’s, How Bazar); headliners include the Jose Pinerio Trio, Sir Flame, and Hey! TV Boy! WUFT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UF faculty are scrambling to update online course materials to meet accessibility guidelines required starting April 24 & the work involves reworking slides, documents, and videos. Many professors report increased workloads and minimal university guidance as they adjust to the new federal rules. The Independent Florida Alligator
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ On Feb. 20, a report from the Florida Auditor General found that UF did not follow state law (which requires two appraisals) when purchasing land along Parker Road, and the university said it updated its process for future acquisitions. Alachua Chronicle
- ➤ Alachua County has extended the burn ban until Feb. 27 to manage severe drought and wildfire risk, and residents are urged to refrain from any unauthorized burning across the county. Alachua Chronicle
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Florida basketball is set to face Ole Miss Saturday, Feb. 21, as the Gators (holding a two-game SEC lead and a six-game win streak) use their top rebounding stats to challenge a Rebels squad struggling with offense amid an eight-game skid. GatorSports
- ➤ Florida basketball posted strong bracketology numbers on Feb. 20, with the Gators ranked No. 11 in one poll + No. 12 in another. Projections place them as a No. 3 seed heading into the NCAA Tournament, keeping their postseason play strong. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Gators cornerbacks coach Brandon Harris, a Miami native with deep south Florida ties, is keeping key players such as freshmen J’Vari Flowers and Ben Hanks III on the roster in Gainesville as he builds the team & draws on his longstanding recruiting network. WRUF
- ➤ The Gators, on a winning streak of six games, will face Ole Miss today at 12 p.m. on ESPN. The team, led by top rebounding efforts (averaging 46 rebounds per game) and offensive strength, looks to secure a strong win against a struggling Rebels squad. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ At the ongoing SEC Swim and Dive Championships in Knoxville, Canadian senior Josh Liendo clinched his fourth title in the 100-meter butterfly with a record time of 43.06, tying his own mark from last March. He becomes the first Gator to win four consecutive SEC gold medals in the event. WRUF
- ➤ Three freshman long jumpers from UF (Temoso Masikane, Luke Stradley and Nicolas Crosswhite) have shown their skill at recent meets, with Masikane setting a personal best on Feb. 13 in Arkansas. They will compete for more points at the SEC Indoor Championships (Feb. 26-28) in College Station. The Independent Florida Alligator
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AM/FM Festival
1-10 p.m. — How Bazar — Free entry — Celebrate Gainesville’s music scene with a showcase of local artists from various genres.
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2026 Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium
Feb 23-25 — Best Western Gateway Grand — Cost varies — Explore cutting-edge strategies in dairy and beef cattle nutrition at this premier symposium.
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Thornebrook Spring Arts Festival
10 AM - 5 PM — Shoppes at Thornebrook — Free entry — Explore a vibrant collection of art and creativity in various mediums at this community festival.
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Makaya McCraven Live Performance
9:30 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Check for ticket details — Experience the innovative sounds of drummer and composer Makaya McCraven blending jazz, hip-hop, and global traditions.
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Comedian Angelo Colina Live
7-11 p.m. — The Wooly — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of laughs with Venezuelan comedian Angelo Colina as he brings his stand-up in Spanish to Gainesville.
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Gator Steps for Lung Disease 5K
8-11 a.m. — UF Genetics Institute — $35 to participate — A community-focused 5K run/walk supporting lung disease research and patient education.
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2026 Gainesville Guitar Festival
7-10 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Celebrate guitar music with performances, workshops, and gear swaps at this annual festival.
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Taste of the Bayou Love & Food Fest
12-6 p.m. — The Oaks Mall — Free entry — Celebrate local flavors with delicious bites and lively music in Gainesville's food fest.
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2026 Escape the Swamp Triathlon
12-3 p.m. — 250 Gale Lemerand Dr, Gainesville, FL — Registration fee applies — Challenge yourself in this exciting sprint and super sprint triathlon event.
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She Means Business Networking for Women
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Depot Village — Free entry — Connect with inspiring women in a supportive community focused on personal and professional growth.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What looks like talent is often careful preparation.
~ Ryan Holiday
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