Jacksonville Events

1. Saturday May 12th. 1pm-4pm. ACMoore stores. Buy a shirt and decorate for free with simply spray fabric paint.
   
2. Saturday May 12th. 9am. Riverside Arts Market Kidical Mass. The usual Riverside Arts Market bike ride will be replaced by something called Kidical Mass, where even more kids are encouraged to participate. Remember to bring your helmets!
3. Friday May 11- Sunday May 13th. AQHA  Region 10 Horse Show. Free to spectators. Cecil Field Equestrian Center.
4. Sunday May 13th at 6 and 9pm. POPS at the Beach. Mother’s Day Concert at the Beach. Jacksonville City Orchestra. Sea Walk Pavillion.
5. Saturday May 12th 8am-12. Free Bicycle Registration Event. Jacksonville Beach. Free.
6. Saturday May 12th. 2pm. Secrets of the Salt Marsh.  At the Ribault Club on Fort George Island Cultural State Park. No reservations are necessary and the program is free.
7. Saturday May 12th 1pm. Organic Veggie Gardening at Tree Hill. $5 for members $10 for non members.
8. Thursday May 10th- Sunday May 13th. Hairspray the Musical presented by Broadway Kid Starz.  They are also performing Our Town at the same facility so you have a choice. $11 at the door. Mandarin Community Theater.
9. Farmers Markets this weekend

• Old City Farmer’s Market in the St. Augustine Amphitheater. 8:30-12:30
• Farmer’s Market of San Marco in the Parking Lot – Elizabeth Swaim United Memorial Methodist Church  8:30-1:00
• Fernandina Farmers Market in downtown historic Fernandina 9am-1:00
• Riverside Arts Market under the Fuller Warren bridge. 10am-4pm.
• Mandarin Farmer’s Market old st. Augustine and San Jose. 10am-4pm
• North Beach Art’s Market, North Beach Access, Vilano Beach 3-7pm

Happy Mother’s Day, enjoy your families!

1. Saturday 4/5  and Sunday 4/6. Free Museum Entrance for Bank of America/Merrill Lynch  Bank Account Holders. Locally, this includes MOSH and MOCA.Thur
2. Thursday 4/3-Sunday 4/6. Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. Downtown Historic Fernandina. Activities include Pirate Parade on Thursday, Live Marine Sea Circus and Shrimp Aquarium Display, Kids Fun Zone, Food, Live Musical Entertainment, Invastion of the Pirates, Face Painting, Pony Rides, Bungee fun, rock wall, and more. There will also be a 5k and a 1 mile youth run.
3. Friday 4/4-Sunday 4/6. World of Nations. Metro Park. Experience the cuisine, artistry and customs from lands near and far. Admission is $5 (One Day Ticket), $8 (Two Day Ticket) or $10 (Three Day Ticket). Children ages 3 and under are free. There will be food, live music, International Marketplace, dance performances, and more.
4. Sat. May 5th. 9am-1pm. Kids Fishing Rodeo. Huguenot Park. Free fishing clinic for ages 15 and under. Kids will enjoy photos with their largest catch, Beanie Babies giveaway, free hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks, petting zoo, pony rides, games, Dunk the Cop and more.
5. Sat. May 5th. 2pm. Nature Hike. Join a Park Ranger for a leisurely paced hike to discover the island’s natural communities. Bring bug spray and bottled water. This program will take place at the Ribault Club on Fort George Island Cultural State Park. No reservations are necessary and the program is free.
6. Friday May 4th 7pm. Saturday May 5th at 2pm and 7pm. Peter and the Wolf. Saint Augustine Ballet performs Peter and the Wolf at Kirk Memorial Auditorium. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under. Tickets are available  online.
7. Friday May 4th-Sunday May 6th. 8am-9ish on Friday and Saturday. 8am-6pm on Sunday. Cecil Field Equestrian Center.  NTRL Rope for the Truck Competition. Free for spectators.
8. Friday May 4th 8-9:45 pm. Movies in the Park. Free. Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk.  Jurrasic Park is the movie.
9. Saturday May 5th, Home Depot kids build program. 9am-11. free. Kids build a planter box.

1. Saturday April 28th. 8-4. Tree Hill. Vendors, food and drinks, a live butterfly exhibit, crafts, animals, presentations, entertainment and more. The live butterfly release will be at 3:30pm. (weather permitting). $5 Adults, $4 Seniors/Military/ Students and Kids $3.
2. Saturday April 28th and Sunday April 29th. Last weekend for Free Admission to the National Parks. 
3. Saturday April 28th. 12-8pm. 16th Annual A Taste Of St. Augustine. 16th Annual A Taste of St. Augustine over 20 of St. Augustine’s restaurants.There will also be live music, and a 5K race held the same day. Admission to A Taste of St. Augustine is $5, and food and beverage tickets cost $1 each, with most “tastes” somewhere between 2-5 tickets. Free parking and children under 11 receive free admission.
4. Saturday April 28th 9:30am. Jacksonville Beach hosts their annual Sandcastle Contest. Categories include: 8 years and under (up to 3 per space), 9-12 years (up to 3 per space), 13-16 years (up to 3 per space), Family (up to 5 per space) and Group (up to 5 per space). Call to register. 904-247-6236.
5. Saturday April 28th 1pm. Wild Wonders Animal Encounters. One hour program of close up animal encounters. Learn about animal behavior, survival, feeding habits, and adaptations during this hands-on program. Free and open to the public.
6. Sunday April 29th, 2 pm. Annual Beaches parade in Downtown Jacksonville Beach. There will be Floats, marching bands and more.
7. Saturday April 28th. North Florida Karting Club Race. At the 103rd St. Sports Complex. Practice at 10am. Race at 1:00. Spectators Free. Pit passes are $10 each.
8. Saturday April 28th-Sunday April 29th. 7:30am-5pm. Dressage Horse Show at Cecil Field Equestrian Center. Spectators and parking are free.
9. Saturday April 28th 9am at Diamond D ranch. LoziLu Women’s Mud Run.is  a super-fab 5k trail run and obstacle course.
10. Saturday April 28th 10am. Riverside Arts Market. Riverside Arts Market is an outdoors arts event that features local artists, live music, street performers, gourmet food artesans, fresh local produce and more. Free.
11. Saturday April 28th. 10am. Johansen Park, Atlantic Beach. Arts in the Park. Ninety juried artists will exhibit fine arts and crafts.  Enjoy a day in the park in this beautiful seaside community.  Original art available for purchase.  Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets for a family-friendly afternoon under huge oaks and palm trees.  Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
12. Friday April 27th. 8pm-9:45. Movies in the Park.  Enjoy free, family-friendly fun. Beach blankets and camp chairs are welcome at Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk’s riverfront lawn on the Southbank. Concessions and on-site parking available. Well-behaved pets are welcome, alcoholic beverages are not. This Friday is Grease.
13. Saturday April 28th. 8am-11am. A Walk in the Woods. Arlington: Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens. 2 different walks. 8 am is the Fitness walk. 9:30 is the casual walk. Free.

1. Saturday April 21st. 9-12. Healthy Family Training Camp. Pepsi Cabana Village, EverBank Field. The first 250 kids will receive a free goody bag. Register at 256-5724. There will be 4 themed areas highlighting nutrition, health screenings, games and favorite local sports stars.
2. Saturday April 21st. 10am-4pm. Jacksonville Landing. Annual Earth Day and Ecology Fair. 80 booths, hands on displays and live entertainment. Free.
3. Saturday April 21st 10-4pm. Annual Bartram Bash. Celebrate William Bartram’s birthday and Earth Day at Alpine Groves Park. There will be free food, children’s crafts, riverfront activities, games, and more. Free orange juice will be served during the morning hours and a hot dog, chips, a drink and cake will be served at lunch time. There will also be a live butterfly release.
4. Saturday April 21st. 12-3pm. Earth Day at Talbot Island State Park. Celebrate Earth Day with a volunteer beach clean up. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided for this event. Closed-toe shoes, gloves, a hat and sunscreen are recommended. Park entrance fees waived for participants.
5. Sat. April 21st- Sunday April 29th. Area National Parks will offer free admission, in honor of National Parks Week. Parks include Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Cumberland Island National Seashore and more.
6. Sunday April 22. 12-5pm. Slow Food First Coast Tour de Farm. Visitors are welcome to tour any of the farms on the list between 12noon and 5pm. The community is invited to learn about local food production, where the food comes from, and the farmers who produce it. You will need to bring cash for any purchases.
7. Sat. April 21st. 11-2pm. To celebrate the opening of the newest documentary film from MacGillivray Freeman Films, the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater, along with Jax4Kids, will feature activities geared towards the film’s water themes. Representatives from Marineland and the Marine Science Research Institute at Jacksonville University will be on hand, along with Mad Science, which will conduct entertaining educational activities. There will also be face painting, bounce house from SpaceWalk of Jacksonville and contests to win tickets to Jacksonville Ice and Sports Complex.
8. Sat. April 21st. 8am-6pm. North Florida Arabian Horse Club. Cecil Field Equestrian Center. Free for spectators.
9. Friday April 20-Sunday April 22nd. Annual Southeast U.S. Boat Show. Metro Park. This 3 day nautical festival will include great food, live music to enjoy on the barge stage, plus other activities. Hundreds of new boats and quality brokerage boats of all styles are displayed and available for purchase.
10. Friday April 20th at 7pm. Cosmic Concerts at Mosh. Experience total-sensory entertainment as laser lights, high-def images and digital sound collide to create a Cosmic Concert! Laser Beatles at 7 p.m., Laser U2 at 8 p.m., Laser Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon at 9 p.m. and Laser Jimmy Buffett Parrothead Party at 10 p.m. Tickets are available at www.moshplanetarium.org or at the door. Tickets are $5 per person per show; laser glasses cost $1
11. Saturday April 21st. 1pm-3-m. Local Michaels stores. Free make and take body art. While supplies last, have fabulous fun with body paint.

1. Saturday April 14th 1-3pm. AC  Moore stores. Free make and take Crayola Model Magic Spring Magnet.
2. Sat. April 14th 10-5pm. Art Guild of Orange Park. Art show with kids activities, music, and more. At Orange Park Town Hall.
3. Sat. April 14th 2:30pm. Earth Day Party for the planet at the Jacksonville Zoo. $2 when you bring in paper and electronic recyclables. (check the website for a list of approved items). There will be environmental and animal conservation booths, children’s activities, prize drawings, and Jazoo.
4. Sat. April 14th 2:30 pm at the Middleburg Clay-Hill Library. 30 minute presentation about recycling Christmas trees, make and take projects, natural beauty products, sugar scrubs, body powder etc.  Free.
5. Sat. April 14th. 1pm. Tree Hill. Butterfly gardening 101. Learn the basics and get ready for Butterfly Festival. $5 for members, $10 for non-members. You will get to take home a butterfly plant.
6.  Sat. April 14th . 1 pm. Wild Wonders Animal Encounters.  Dutton Island preserve. Hands on animal encounter. Free.
7. Sunday April 15th 10:30 am. Free Fishing Clinic for kids 5-12. Christ Fellowship Church. Kids will recieve a free rod and reel at the 10:30 service. Free lunch for participants at 12 noon. Bait will be provided. To pre-register, call Stan Storey at 904-225-5775.
8. Sunday April 15th 11-2pm. Kats for Keeps. Adoption Day. Ponte Vedre.
9. Sunday April 15th. 3pm. Free but donations accepted.  Titanic Program. The Jacksonville Maritime Historical Society will host a Titanic presentation in celebration of 100 year anniversary of it’s sinking.
10. Sat. April 14th 10pm. Riverside Arts Market. this is an ongoing event. Free.
11. Sun. April 15th 1-5pm. Catty Shack Ranch Daytime Sanctuary Event. Adults $10 Children 3-11 $5. Enjoy a leisurely stroll of our sanctuary and meet all the residents (Siberian tigers, lions, cougars, spotted and black leopards, bobcats, coatimundis and arctic foxes).  Cubs will also be available for viewing.
12. Sat. April 14th - Sunday April 15th. 8am-6pm. Free. Horse Shows in the Park, Hunter jumper contest. Cecil Feild Equestrian Center.

1. Thursday April 5th. St. John’s county annual Easter Egg hunt.  At three local parks: Treaty Park, Veterans Park, and Al Wilkie Park. The hunt will begin promptly at 11am at each location and is for children ages 8 and younger.
2. Thursday April 5th. 10 am. Reptile Show. LB Reptiles will present an interactive, and informative program about snakes, lizards, turtles, alligators and more. Children of all ages may attend. Free. Bartram Trail Bunch.
3. Friday April 6th. 8pm. Flashlight Egg Hunt. Crooked River State Park. $3 to attend. $5 parking. Need a flashlight and a basket.
4. Sat. April 7th. 9am. Adventure Landing Egg hunts. $3 donation per child will go to various charities depending on the location you attend. Raffles, prizes, Easter bunny, and stay and play events after the hunt. Follow the link to check the specifics for your location.
5. Sat. April 7th at 9am. Bunny Hop Fun Run. You can run with the Easter Bunny and there will be an Easter Egg hunt after the kids run. Registration fees $10-25. Each pre-registered participant will receive bunny ears and the overall winner (male and female) get a giant chocolate bunny. Amelia Island.
6. Sunday Arpil 8th 11am-5pm. Jump with the Easter Bunny. Pump it up on Beach Blvd. Hunt at 1 and  3. $8 for ages 2-14.  $4 under 2. Parents are free.
7. Sunday April 8th 3pm. Easter Parade. St. Augustine. Annual St. Augustine Easter Parade, with marching bands, floats, drill teams, clowns, the Royal Family and the Easter Bunny. The parade begins at 3pm at the Mission of Nombre de Dios and winds through downtown St. Augustine. For more information call 904-829-2333.
8. Sat. April 7th. 10am-1pm. Free. City of Atlantic Beach at Jordan Park. Up to age 12 free Easter Egg hunt, bounce houses, and the Easter Bunny.
9. Sat. April 7th 11am-1pm. Free Kids Easter Basket Giveaway. Free giveaway of 150 Easter baskets to children 12 and younger. Basket will contain candy and toys. Children must be pre-registered, and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Go online and register, and you will receive a confirmation email with address and directions. Quantities are limited to the first 150. Follow link to register.
10. Sat. April 7th 10am-2pm. Clay County Fair Scholastic Chess Tournament. The Clay County Agricultural Fair presents a competitive contest for the 2012 Fair, the Scholastic Chess Tournament. All area students are invited to participate. Tournament participants receive free admission to the Fair and every contestant receives an award for participation. Parents can order admission tickets in advance from the Fair’s website or pay at the gate.
    Prerequisites are knowledge of chess rules (especially check, checkmate, and stalemate,) and a desire to meet other students who share a love for this challenging activity. Participants play four games and compete with students in their respective grade divisions (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12). Registration forms and $12 entry fee must be received by Monday, April 2. Prizes will be awarded to individual division winners.
11. Friday April 6th. 5-9pm. First Friday Art Walk. St. Augustine.  Free refreshments, live music, and exhibits.
12. Sat. April 7th- Sunday April 8th. Free Museum Weekend for Bank of America Customers. Follow the link to check which museums participate.
13. Sat. April 7th. Home Depot. Free. Adult classes: Raised Garden Bed 10am-11:30am, Front Door appeal and Door lock basics 1pm-2pm. Kids: Build a window Bird feeder 9am-12.

1. Saturday March 31st 10am-4pm. Conners Amaizing Acres Egg-stravaganza. If previously registered; today is the day! Free when you bring a doz. eggs.
2. Saturday March 31st 1pm-2:30. Can You Dig It? Children’s Archeology Program. Fort Mose Historic St. Park. $2 admission. Children under 6 are free. 2 hands on activities for children in the visitors center.
3. Sat. March 31st 8am-10am. Kidgits Easter Event at the Avenues Mall. Kids can create their own Easter drum and jam out “I want candy”. Various activities and treats. Kids can join Kidgits online or in mall for a “nominal fee”.
4. Sat. and Sunday 10am-5pm. Old Town Art and Craft Show. Free. Francis Field St. Augustine. Many different examples of arts and crafts available.
5. Sat. March 31st at 1pm. Wild Wonders Animal Encounters. One hour of close up animal encounters. Free. Dutton Island Preserve.
6. Sun. April 1st and every Sunday 12-4pm. MOCA museum ArtFusion is free. Great for kids and families.
7. Sat. and Sunday 8am-10pm. Lae Derby and Bridle Spectacular horse show. Cecil Field Equestrian Center. Free.
8. Sat. March 31st. 1pm at local ACMoore stores. Buy and then decorate egg foam shapes. Free once you buy the egg shaped foam.
9. Sun. April 1st. 2pm. Northbank riverfront Hogan st.Gazebo. Annual Blessing of the Fleet. Free for spectators. Boats must register.
10. Sun. April 1st noon. St. Augustine.  The Most Reverend Felipe J. Estevez, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine will offer the traditional blessing from the docks of the St. Augustine City Marina to all who pass before him. Vessels, both pleasure and commercial craft are invited to participate in the ancient and traditional Blessing of the Fleet on Matanzas Bay.
11. Sunday April 1st. 11am-1pm. Model Matzah Bakery. $3 per child, free to children in Hebrew school. Takes students from a grain of wheat to a finished Matzo; they will thresh wheat, grind, knead, and more as they make their own Matzo. Chabad of the Southside.
12. Sunday April 1st at 3pm. JCA presents a free concert by pianist Benjamin Moser.

1. Saturday March 24th. Toys RUS. In store event. 11am Thomas the Train (story, coloring and giveaways). 2pm Mosumo (learn how to spin and battle with friends). Both FREE.
2. Friday March 23rd and Sat. March 24th. 2012 Railroad Days Festival. Callahan. Parade on Sat. at 11. vendors, crafts, music, entertainment, and more.
3. Sat. March 24th. Fort Clinch annual kids free fishing clinic. 9am-1pm. Free hot dog lunch. 500 kids will take home a free rod and reel combo.
4. Sat. March 24th 10:30-4:30. Sweet Pete’s free Easter party. Pictures with the Easter bunny, dip a marshmellow pete, story time, the chocolate rabbit and more.
5. Sat. March 24th, 7am. Kids Count Fishing Tournament. There will be packet pick up, captain’s meeting and fishing clinic on Friday, March 23, and a Fish Fry and Awards Ceremony on Sunday March 25. Sign up online, or forms are available at West Marine.
6. Sat. March 24th. 10am. National Geographic Little Explorers. Hands on activities, songs, quizzes, and more. Free for ages 3 and up. Potter Barn Kids in St. John’s Town Center. Children will receive a badge for each one they complete. This months theme is maps.
7. Sat. March 24th at 7:30pm. Thrasher Horne Center. Peking Acrobats. $15 ticket. The acrobats will be accompanied by the Women’s Peace Orchestra of China.
8. Sat. March 24th 8am-5pm. Dressage Association Schooling Show. Free. Cecil Field Equestrian Center.
9. Sat. March 24th and Sunday. Different times but both start at 9am. Annual MS Muck Ruckus. 10k Obstacle course through water, muck and mud to aid MS. At the Cecil Field Equestrian Center.
10. March 24th 8am-11am. Free. A Walk in The Woods. 2 walks, 1 casual 1 fitness at 9 and 8:30. Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens.
11. Sat. March 24th 9am-1pm. Fernandina Farmer’s Market. In Historic  Downtown Fernandina Beach. Free.
12. Sat. March 24th. Jacksonville Fine Arts Festival. 9am-1pm. Boone Park. Free. 150 Artists will be featured.
13. Sat. March 24th. 10am-4pm. Riverside Art Mart. (under the Fuller Warren Bridge). 5 hours of live music, children’s creativity center, art, farmer’s market. jugglers, balloon artists and other impromptu entertainers.
14. Sat. March 24th at noon. Main Library downtown Jax. Free. Keynote Presentation Featuring Michelle Singleton, financial expert and author of the award winning, “The Color of Money” column.