The Friends of McIntosh, Inc. is a benevolent, non-profit organization chartered on September 26, 1973. Its primary purpose is to preserve the natural beauty of McIntosh and to sponsor cultural and recreational activities in McIntosh. The organization purchased land near the post office and created the McKoone Hopwood Mini Park in 1973. The Friends of McIntosh also obtained, moved, and restored the McIntosh Train Depot originally built prior to 1890. The Depot is now a museum. A majority of the money required to fund this project was raised through hosting the 1890 Day Festival. The first festival held on October 19, 1974 had an attendance of about 4,000 people and has since grown to 250 vendors and an estimated 35,000 visitors. Each year, a portion of festival proceeds are used to sponsor a scholarship fund assisting local students. The Friends also sponsor Light Up McIntosh! each December. The Friends of McIntosh meet every second Tuesday of the month in the Depot, downtown McIntosh. Vendor and other information for the 1890 Day Festival scheduled for October 24, 2009 can be obtained by contacting the Friends of McIntosh, P. O. Box 1890, McIntosh, FL 32664 or by email at info@friendsofmcintosh.org. For the Ocala Star Banner article on the 2008 Festival link to: www.ocala.com/article/20081019/NEWS/810191029
Al Fullmore Bldg. Cont. (352) 427-5723 Antique Deli (352) 591-1436 Century Oaks & Nursery (352) 591-1368 Feaster's Business Rentals (352) 591-3231 Green Gardens Nursery on 441 (352) 591-1966 Ice House Studios & Furniture Co. (352) 591-5930 Kingfisher Variety Plants (352) 591-4344 Ligon Farms, LLC (810) 706-0765 MAC's Garage & Superior Truck Tops (352) 591-2026 McIntosh Assisted Living (352) 591-2503 McIntosh Country Store (352) 591-5930 McIntosh Fish Camp (352) 591-1302 Merrilly Bed & Breakfast (352) 591-1180 Mike's Fish Camp (352) 591-3665 Orange Lake Trading Post (352) 591-0307 Perry Construction (352) 817-6681 Rustic Decor Warehouse (352) 591-4566 Sportsman's Cove Resort (352) 591-1435 Van Horn's Antiques #1 & Van Horn's Antiques #2 (352) 339-6864 Winters Past (352) 591-1455
The McIntosh Lion's Club invites men who have an interest in community service and fellowship to join in support of a variety of charitable projects including the Lion's Eye Bank, the Conklin Eye Center, Southeastern Guide Dogs, the Lion's Camp for Visually Handicapped Youth, McIntosh Area School, the Blood Mobile and various Town projects. The Lion's Club run a vendor booth at the 1890 Day Festival selling food and drink and sponsor a July 4th celebration at Van Ness Park. The club also sponsors Santa's arrival at the Christmas Light Up McIntosh! get-together in December. The Lion's Club meets on the first and third Monday of each month at the McIntosh Civic Center.
The McIntosh Seedlings Garden Club uses funds raised through their sponsored activities for the beautification of McIntosh and sponsoring children at Camp Wekiva located in Orlando. The Garden Club hosts about 40 vendors at their Annual Spring Plant and Garden Sale which is held at Van Ness Park in downtown McIntosh. Enjoy the music and food at next spring's Plant Sale scheduled for Saturday April 4, 2009. Vendor and other information regarding the Annual Spring Plant and Garden Sale can be obtained by contacting (352) 591-0579 or by emailing evajo591@aol.com. The McIntosh Garden Club was also instrumental in placing the Blue Star Memorial monument on Hwy. 441 commemorating the Armed Forces. The busy group also sells t-shirts ($15.00) during the community festivals and custom McIntosh note cards (8 cards and envelopes for $5.00) and walking/driving tour guides ($.50) which are available for sale at the Town Hall. The Seedlings Garden Club meets at 9:30 am on the first Thursday of each month at the Civic Center. Interested people are invited to attend.
For plot location and cemetery information: users.rootsweb.com/~flmarion/cemeteries/McIntosh.htm
No fee for broadcasting community calendar events. Tim Parker (352) 207-4245 or email wimr965@bellsouth.net
McIntosh Gazette (A publication of the Friends of McIntosh, published each October)
The Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker was formally dedicated on May 30, 2008 with an invocation from McIntosh Mayor Cary McCollum, participation from the North Marion High Junior ROTC color guard, a speech from Eva Jo Callahan, President of the McIntosh Garden Club, and singing from the students attending the McIntosh Area School. This monument has been dedicated as a tribute to the Armed Forces servicemen and women who have served our country in the past, are currently serving, and those who will serve in the future. The Blue Star Memorials are a project of the National Garden Clubs, and the McIntosh Garden Club worked long and hard to obtain and place the marker. The Blue Star Memorial is located on the west side of Hwy. 441 in front of the McIntosh Area School.
playground, picnic tables, civic center, and tennis courts.
Residents - $50.00 Non-Residents - $200.00 Refundable Security Deposit - $100.00 Downloadable Civic Center Lease Application The lease does not include exclusive use of the surrounding park area. The park area is not part of the lease and may be used by the general public. The Town of McIntosh does not assume responsibility for the safety of your or your guests. You are responsible for the safety of your guests in all circumstances. |
| The McIntosh 1890 Day Festival attracts 250 vendors and an estimated 35,000 visitors each October. Next year's festival scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2009. |
| Seedlings Garden Club Annual Spring Plant Sale The annual spring plant and garden sale will be held at Van Ness Park in downtown McIntosh on Saturday, April 4, 2009 |
Other Community Info. & Links:
| Town of McIntosh |
| Florida |
| Van Ness Park A beautiful 2 acre park at which the McIntosh Civic Center is located |
| McIntosh Civic Center 5835 Avenue F Constructed of Florida fieldstone in the 1930's as a WPA project (Rentals Available) |
| McKoone-Hopwood Mini Park located in downtown McIntosh, was created in 1973 using bricks from the old bank/ post office building |
| The Lion's Club Members serve up Hot Dogs & Hamburgers at the Independence Day Celebration |
| The McIntosh Cemetery Association acts as caretakers of the Town cemetery |
| Website by Debbie Miller, Town Clerk |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| The Annual Spring Garden Club Plant Sale |
| 1890's Day Sponsored by the Friends of McIntosh |
| Choose from 250 vendors at the 1890 Day Festival |
| The McIntosh Garden Club helped sponsor The Blue Star Memorial which was dedicated May 30, 2008 as a tribute to past, present, and future Armed Forces members |
