Daily
Gainesville
Monday, February 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 23rd of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Families enjoyed the Bryer Patch’s fourth annual strawberry festival at Boyd Farm in Newberry on Saturday, Feb. 21, with fruit picking, hayrides, and strawberry lemonade. The farm is open every weekend (5700 SW 250th St.) for $4 per pound strawberry picking, and its final festival is on March 14. The Independent Florida Alligator
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Downtown Gainesville hosted the AM/FM Music Festival on Sunday (Feb. 22) with live music, food and community celebrations. The annual event marked another year of local culture. WCJB
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Florida lost 76-71 to Alabama Sunday after foul trouble & missed free throws hurt the Gators, leaving them with little room to close the gap. Coach Kelly Rae Finley said the team will regroup ahead of Tuesday’s home game against Ole Miss at the Exactech Arena. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ Three Gainesville natives broke records on College Signing Day by signing with Division I rowing programs (Brooklyn Hilman for Iona, Addy Matthews for North Carolina, and Beckett Kallman for UPenn). WCJB
- ➤ On Saturday, Eastside upset top seed North Marion 47-44 in front of a sold-out crowd at Port Orange Atlantic— they must win their next game to reach the state final four in Jacksonville. WRUF
- ➤ The Florida Gators softball team improved to 18-0 on Saturday when Ava Brown pitched a five inning complete game shutout in her second start and Kenleigh Cahalan hit key runs — the team will face Middle Tennessee in the Florida Tournament on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. WCJB
- ➤ The Gators women’s swim and dive team earned third place at the SEC Championships in Knoxville with 1,015.5 points as sophomore Bottazzo won gold in both breaststroke events and diver Monroy set a record with a 350.7 score on the platform dive — paving the way for future NCAA action. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ P.K. Yonge High School’s boys basketball season ended Saturday with a 65-36 loss to The First Academy Royals in the Class 2A region semifinal; the team’s late rally sets the stage for next season as it leans on its young core (freshman Jayden Harriott and rising senior Decedric Sowell). WRUF
- ➤ The Buchholz Bobcats overcame a slow start to beat Ocala Forest 57-39 in the FHSAA Class 6A Region Semifinals — Jamison Mctureous scored 21 to drive a strong second-half comeback at Bud Seymour Gymnasium. They will face Winter Park Lake Howell Silverhawks at 7 p.m. Saturday for the region title. WRUF
- ➤ On Saturday, the Gators secured an SEC-leading, eighth-straight series win over Kennesaw State as Aidan King pitched six shutout innings and Kyle Jones registered three hits (his sixth multi-hit effort in seven games). All nine players recorded hits to match a season high of 16. WCJB
- ➤ The Florida men’s swim & dive team finished second at the SEC Swim & Dive Championships with 1,292 points on Monday, Feb. 23, finishing 157.5 points behind Texas. Senior Josh Liendo earned SEC Men’s Swimmer of the Meet after winning six gold medals. The Independent Florida Alligator
- ➤ After a loss to Auburn, the UF tennis team adjusted on Sunday to sweep Bethune-Cookman 7-0 with strong doubles and singles wins. The team will travel to Arkansas for their next conference match on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the George M. Billingsley Tennis Center. The Independent Florida Alligator
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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.
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Josh Meloy Live
7-9:30 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets available — Experience the storytelling magic of Josh Meloy supported by rising Oklahoma artist Trenton Fletcher.
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Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville Musical
7:30 p.m. — Gainesville Community Playhouse — Ticket prices vary — Experience a hilarious musical filled with Jimmy Buffett's beloved classics.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Your goal in life is to find the people, business, project, or art that needs you the most.
~ Naval Ravikant
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