October
1 – November 17 – Kathy Stark: The Wilderness Of North Florida’s Art Exhibit, Thrasher-Horne Center Gallery – Large-scale watercolor paintings highlighting the parks, preserves, conservation areas and forests where you can get a ‘sense of wilderness’, all within one hour of downtown Jacksonville
13-31 – Haunting of Hill House – Orange Park Community Theatre – Weekend Performances Only
16 – 22 – CalaVida Arts Festival – With the majestic St. Johns River as a backdrop, the CalaVida Arts Festival (meaning “Cove Life”) is designed for all ages offering a myriad of arts presentations including both visual and performance arts. The goal of the CalaVida Arts Festival to offer entertainment for everyone!
20-21 – Amazing Grace Crop Maze – Amazing Grace Crop Maze provides FAMILY FUN on the FARM in Clay County! Hayrides, cow train, duck races, corn crib, barnyard ball zone & more!
20 – Click, Clack, Moo – Thrasher-Horne Center, 10:30 a.m. – Enjoy this hilariously “mooooo-ving” new musical about negotiation and compromise, based on the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.
21 – Historic Girl Scout Museum – Camp Chowenwaw, 9:00 -11:00 a.m. – The Museum includes a synopsis of the founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Low, the history of Girl Scouting in Northeast Florida and the history of the park when it was a Girl Scout Camp from 1933 to 2005. Special Tours are available other dates and times by appointment.
21 – Third Saturday – Spring Park, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – 3rd Saturday Market in the Park is an opportunity to shop and meet local business owners, vendors and craftspeople while enjoying our beautiful, historic small town and park on the St John’s River. Shop local, relax, and enjoy your Saturdays again! Every thirdSaturday at Spring Park located at the corner of Walnut Street and Magnolia Avenue in Green Cove Springs. Free to the public.
21-22 – 35th Annual Fall Festival, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Orange Park Town Hall – The Fall Festival started with 12 vendors and a few guitar players. Thirty-five years later, our festival has over 200 vendors and two stages packed with entertainment. Attendees will enjoy a wide variety of food from barbeque and local seafood to fresh baked goods and locally harvested honey. Kids can bounce on inflatables and get their faces painted. And, of course, the shopping is second to none with unique gifts, handmade quilts, pottery and even treats for your furry friends. Admission and parking are free! This event was ranked as a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society.
27-28 – Amazing Grace Crop Maze – Amazing Grace Crop Maze provides FAMILY FUN on the FARM in Clay County! Hayrides, cow train, duck races, corn crib, barnyard ball zone & more!
28 – Penney Farms Historic 5k Run – Come and celebrate the historic community of Penney Farms by joining your fellow runners at the start-line for the Annual Penney Farms Historic 5K Run. Race along the tree-lined residential streets of the J.C. Penney Memorial Scenic Highway loop and visualize the fields and dairy herds that grazed there. In the 1920’s, it is said that a hundred men with their mules tilled the fields of Penney – Gwinn Farm.
28 – Moonlight on Magnolia Cemetery Tour, Magnolia Cemetery, 1040 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Introducing today’s guests to yesterday’s residents. Forty-five minute tours through Magnolia Cemetery, guided by members of the Historical Society of Orange Park will begin at 4:00 p.m. The final tour begins at 6:00 p.m. when moonlight must guide the way. Visitors are invited to stroll through time as re-enactors representing Magnolia’s permanent residents tell their stories. Stops along the way will include local characters such as benefactress Carrie Clarke, author Nixon Smiley, African-American entrepreneurs, business leaders and others. Following the guided tours guests are free to visit with the several others whose stories can be shared on a more informal basis. Free parking is available at the First Baptist Church of Orange Park, located at 1140 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, next to the cemetery. Admission is free but donations to the Historical Society of Orange Park, a 501(c)(3) organization, are accepted.
28 – Green Cove Springs Annual Trunk or Treat – http://www.greencovesprings.com/visitors/festivals/
28 – 29 – Track Attack Weekend Open Track – The FIRM – Open Track Days at The FIRM is a low cost way to test the setup of your car and improve your driving skills.
31 – 11th Annual Halloween Trick or Treat, Moosehaven – www.moosehaven.org/halloween-trick-or-treat
Please note that the Florida vs. Georgia game will be played in Jacksonville October 28, 2017.
November
1 – November 17 – Kathy Stark: The Wilderness Of North Florida’s Art Exhibit, Thrasher-Horne Center Gallery – Large-scale watercolor paintings highlighting the parks, preserves, conservation areas and forests where you can get a ‘sense of wilderness’, all within one hour of downtown Jacksonville
3 – 4 – Penney Retirement Community 69th Annual Arts & Crafts Fair, Penney Farms Retirement Community, Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.– You can get a photo portrait with your pet at the Frame Shop, or visit the Railroad Station to see the elaborate miniature railroad in action. The weaving studio will have demonstrations by the weavers and offer hand-woven items for sale. Dozens of styles of arts and crafts will be on display and for sale. An artist will demonstrate how he transforms fallen trees into beautiful bowls for use or display. Another artist is dedicating a wood carving of a Bald Eagle with an American Flag to honor Veterans.
3 – Shenandoah – Thrasher-Horne Center, 8:00 p.m. – When country music lovers talk about the greatest groups in the genre, Shenandoah is always at the forefront of any discussion. Fueled by Marty Raybon’s distinctive vocals and the band’s skilled musicianship, Shenandoah became well known for delivering such hits as “Two Dozen Roses,” “Church on Cumberland Road” and “Next to You, Next to Me” as well as such achingly beautiful classics as “I Want to be Loved Like That” and the Grammy winning “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart” duet with Alison Krauss.
4 – 5 – NAS JAX Air Show – At the NAS Jax Air Show you will witness thrills like never before from a variety of military and civilian demonstrations. The grand finale will be the Navy’s flight demonstration team: The Blue Angels. While you are at the show enjoy military and civilian aircraft displays, shop at novelty, food and beverage booths, or head to the free Kid’s Zone for games and activities for all ages.
4 – 4th Annual Old Karts & Arts Downtown Street Festival, Historic Green Cove Springs on Walnut Street, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Enjoy a car-truck-motorcycle show, with arts and crafts, music, food and children’s activities.
4 – So You Think You Can Dance – Thrasher-Horne Center, 8:00 p.m. – You’ve seen them on the hit TV show, So You Think You Can Dance. Now you can see your favorite dancers in person when the Top 10 Finalists perform live on tour this fall. The all new tour, features finalists Dassy, Kaylee, Kiki, Koine, Lex, Logan, Mark, Robert, Sydney and Taylor plus All Stars Jasimin Harper and Marko Germar. The high energy dance tour will highlight your favorite numbers from Season 14 plus new surprises
5 – Farmer’s & Art Market, Orange Park Town Hall, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Voted Best Farmer’s Market in Northeast Florida! With over 100 vendors selling fresh, local produce and homemade crafts, live music and great food, it’s sure to be fun for the entire family! Our season runs September – June. Join us on the first and third Sunday of each month.
7 – Mr. Molecule’s Bing, Bang, Boom Science Show – Thrasher-Horne Center, 10:30 a.m. – See Science Come Alive! Mr. Molecule’s Bing, Bang, Boom Science Show is a whole new way for kids to discover science and excite their curiosity about the wonder-filled world we live in.
11 – Moosehaven Heart of the Community Chili Cook-Off, Moosehaven , 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Be sure to attend the 8th Annual Chili Cook-Off, sanctioned by the International Chili Society as a Regional Cookoff. It will be a fun day of music, craft vendors, a car show and some of the best chili around. No pets please.
11 – Veterans Day Ceremony – Magnolia Cemetery – 11:00 a.m. – The Historical Society of Orange Park and the Town of Orange Park will host the Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Historic Magnolia Cemetery. As part of the program, the winners of this year’s essay contest will read their essays commemorating Veterans Day.
11 – Help Somebody If You Can Concert, Thrasher-Horne Center, 7:00 p.m. – Clay County Hurricane Irma Benefit Concert presented by Fields Auto Group and St. Michael’s Soldiers featuring The Curte Towne Band, Heavy Petty Tom Petty Tribute Band and Pinto Graham with special guests Bobby Ingram of Molly Hatchet, Donnie Van Zant of 38 Special and Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd. All benefits to aid Clay County storm victims. Tickets start at $29. Donations can be made at claycounty.gesture.com.
12 – Clay County Irma Relief Benefit Concerts, various locations, Noon – 10:00 p.m. – Local bands will be performing live music on five area stages: American Legion Post #250, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8255, Orange Park Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #4365, Our Place Thrift Store/Middleburg Martial Arts and Dalton’s Sports Grill. For more information email [email protected].
18 – Dream Drive Exotics – Orange Park Mall, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Have you ever wanted to drive a Lamborghini, Ferrari or McLaren? Now is your chance! The driving experience comes to the Orange Park Mall! You can rent exotic cars and drive them through an autocross course made with cones in the parking lot. We charge by the lap, so some people will have 3 laps, and some may have 7 laps.
18 – 19 – Track Attack Weekend Open Track – The FIRM – Open Track Days at The FIRM is a low cost way to test the setup of your car and improve your driving skills.
18 – Third Saturday – Spring Park, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – 3rd Saturday Market in the Park is an opportunity to shop and meet local business owners, vendors and craftspeople while enjoying our beautiful, historic small town and park on the St John’s River. Shop local, relax, and enjoy your Saturdays again! Every thirdSaturday at Spring Park located at the corner of Walnut Street and Magnolia Avenue in Green Cove Springs. Free to the public.
19 – Farmer’s & Art Market, Orange Park Town Hall, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Voted Best Farmer’s Market in Northeast Florida! With over 100 vendors selling fresh, local produce and homemade crafts, live music and great food, it’s sure to be fun for the entire family! Our season runs September – June. Join us on the first and third Sunday of each month.
21 – Historic Girl Scout Museum – Camp Chowenwaw, 9:00 -11:00 a.m. – The Museum includes a synopsis of the founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Low, the history of Girl Scouting in Northeast Florida and the history of the park when it was a Girl Scout Camp from 1933 to 2005. Special Tours are available other dates and times by appointment.
December
1 – 3 – Vintage Market Days – Clay County Fairgrounds, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day – Vintage Market Days is an upscale vintage-inspired indoor/outdoor market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home decor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings & a little more. Shopping, live music, food trucks! The market also provides the customer with a charming shopping experience. Admission is $10; ticket allows for re-entry all weekend.
1 – Femmes of Rock – Thrasher-Horne Center, 8:00 p.m. – Featuring the music of AC/DC, ELO, Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Metallica, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and more! Femmes Of Rock, led by rock violinist and arranger Nina DiGregorio, has rocked audiences worldwide with their blistering solos, unique arrangements, beauty, and charm. The girls have performed with some of the biggest names in the business, including Beyonce, Rod Stewart, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, Stevie Wonder, The Killers, Michael McDonald, Andrea Bocelli, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pitbull, America’s Got Talent Season 1, and many, many more.
2 – The Martial Artists and Acrobats of China – Thrasher – Horne Center for the Arts, 7:00 p.m. – See one of the best acrobatic troupes in China with more than 100 acrobatic, magical performers.
2 – Christmas on Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Everyone is invited to enjoy a traditional Christmas parade, food vendors, local restaurants, arts and crafts booths, Jingle Bell Fun Run, pictures with Santa, live entertainment and the Lighting of the City Christmas Tree.
3 – Farmer’s & Art Market, Orange Park Town Hall, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Voted Best Farmer’s Market in Northeast Florida! With over 100 vendors selling fresh, local produce and homemade crafts, live music and great food, it’s sure to be fun for the entire family! Our season runs September – June. Join us on the first Sunday of each month.
3 – Track Attack Weekend Open Track – The FIRM – Open Track Days at The FIRM is a low cost way to test the setup of your car and improve your driving skills.
6 – Light the Park – Orange Park Town Hall Park, 6:00 p.m. – Join us as we light up Town Hall Park for the Holiday season and have a reading of “It was the Night Before Christmas”. (Santa does not attend this event.)
8 – A Garfield Christmas – Thrasher – Horne Center, 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. – Enjoy this holiday musical featuring everyone’s favorite fat cat, Garfield.
8 – 9 – Hometown Holiday – Clarke House Park, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – The Town of Orange Park and The Historical Society of Orange Park team up to bring you an old fashioned holiday celebration! This event features a shopping village, hay rides through our decorated trail of lights, live entertainment, Clarke House tours, photos with Santa and more! It may even snow! Admission is free.
10 – 3 Redneck Tenors Christmas Spec-tac-yule-ar – Thrasher-Horne Center, 3:00 p.m. – ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the trailer… Grab the family, saddle up the ‘ol sleigh, and come on down for an unforgettable night of music and laughs. These real-life Broadway and Opera stars are ready to rock your holidays with a deep-fried feast of musical delights. There’s nothing old-fashioned about this music arranged by award-winning composer Craig Bohmler – it’s infused with vitality, energy and passion.
16 – Historic Girl Scout Museum – Camp Chowenwaw, 9:00 -11:00 a.m. – The Museum includes a synopsis of the founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Low, the history of Girl Scouting in Northeast Florida and the history of the park when it was a Girl Scout Camp from 1933 to 2005. Special Tours are available other dates and times by appointment.
16 – Third Saturday – Spring Park, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – 3rd Saturday Market in the Park is an opportunity to shop and meet local business owners, vendors and craftspeople while enjoying our beautiful, historic small town and park on the St John’s River. Shop local, relax, and enjoy your Saturdays again! Every thirdSaturday at Spring Park located at the corner of Walnut Street and Magnolia Avenue in Green Cove Springs. Free to the public.
16 – 17 – Track Attack Weekend Open Track – The FIRM – Open Track Days at The FIRM is a low cost way to test the setup of your car and improve your driving skills.
17 – Farmer’s & Art Market, Orange Park Town Hall, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Voted Best Farmer’s Market in Northeast Florida! With over 100 vendors selling fresh, local produce and homemade crafts, live music and great food, it’s sure to be fun for the entire family! Our season runs September – June. Join us on the first and third Sunday of each month.
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Media Contact:
Kimberly Morgan
Director of Tourism & Film Development
Clay County Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1366
477 Houston Street
Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043
Phone: 904-278-3734
Cell: 904-295-5802
www.exploreclay.com
[email protected]