Beach Season Starts Sunday, Jacksonville

What's up, Jacksonville!

We've got active wildfires burning to our south and north with a Fire Weather Watch in effect today, a $46 million groundbreaking that's doing something Jacksonville has never done before, the gate icon at NAS Jax is back after a 70-day glow-up, and this week is absolutely stacked — HARDY at the Arena, Russell Dickerson at the Amp, beach season officially kicking off, and a Saturday that's basically impossible to plan. Buckle up.

In today's edition:

🔥 Wildfire watch — active fires, no rain in sight, and what to do
🏗️ Jacksonville breaks ground on teacher housing — a first for the 904
✈️ A Blue Angels update — and their big 80th anniversary homecoming
🏡 Listing of the Week: The most expensive home in Northeast Florida
🐾 Featured Event: St. Johns PawPalooza (this Saturday!)
📅 Full week of events — music, beach season, charity walks, and more

— Austin

A vacant Northside lot that sat dormant for seven years just got a very big second act.

On April 15, nonprofit developer Ability Housing broke ground on The Village at Lake Forest — a 120-unit affordable apartment community at 901 Kennard Street, built on the former site of Lake Forest Elementary School, which closed in 2019 and had been an empty, blighted lot ever since.

Here's what makes this one different from any other affordable housing project Jacksonville has ever done: 25% of the units — roughly 30 apartments — are being reserved exclusively for Duval County Public Schools faculty and staff. It's a first-of-its-kind partnership in Jacksonville, designed specifically to help with teacher recruitment and retention. Rents are targeted at households earning 40% to 80% of area median income.

Beyond the housing, the site will also include an on-site early learning center operated in partnership with DCPS, a playground, a community center, a library, and a computer lab. The $46 million project is expected to take about two years to complete, with a target finish date of 2028.

For a neighborhood that's been waiting a long time for good news — this is good news.

→ Read more about The Village at Lake Forest

Source: News4JAX · NWS Jacksonville

I know we covered drought and fire risk last week — but I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't flag that things escalated over the weekend. Active wildfires are burning right now to our south (the Crew Fire, ~1,700 acres near the Clay-Putnam County line, 0% contained, with voluntary evacuations underway) and to our north (the Buford Bay #2 Fire in Hilliard). A Fire Weather Watch is in effect today with humidity dropping to 15–20% and no meaningful rain in the forecast all week.

If you haven't downloaded the Watch Duty app yet — do it today. It's the best free tool for tracking active fire perimeters and evacuation zones in real time. Stay safe out there. 🙏

WATCH DUTY APP

→ Latest updates from News4JAX

If you've driven past the Yorktown Gate on Roosevelt Boulevard lately, you may have noticed something missing for the past couple of months. This weekend, it came back — freshly restored and looking better than ever.

The Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet that stands guard at the main gate of Naval Air Station Jacksonville returned Saturday morning after a 70-day refurbishment by crews at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast. The jet received a complete overhaul in paint and corrosion — essentially a full restoration — before being towed back down Yorktown Avenue and placed on its freshly redone pad at the front of the gate. It's the iconic display piece that symbolizes something Jacksonville doesn't talk about enough: this base is the birthplace of the Blue Angels.

The squadron was founded here at NAS Jacksonville in 1946, when they flew Grumman F6F Hellcat propeller fighters — the same planes that helped win World War II. From that starting point on the First Coast, the Blue Angels grew into the most famous flight demonstration team in the world. Today they fly F/A-18 Super Hornets out of NAS Pensacola, but Jacksonville is where it all began.

Which makes what's coming this fall even more meaningful. On October 17–18, the NAS Jax Air Show returns — and this year it's the 80th anniversary homecoming. The lineup also includes the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, making it one of the most stacked air shows Jacksonville has ever hosted. Admission and parking are both completely free.

It's months away, but it's never too early to put it on your radar.

→ More details

The Most Expensive Home in Northeast Florida

Just in case you have some extra cash laying around…

1183–1187 Ponte Vedra Blvd is currently listed at $21,750,000 — the highest-priced property active in the entire Ponte Vedra Beach market right now. And when you see what you're getting, it starts to make a certain kind of sense.

This is a Spanish Colonial estate sitting on 640 feet of direct oceanfront on one of the highest dunes in all of Northeast Florida — 25 feet above sea level. The main house comes in just under 10,000 square feet, surrounded by lush, almost jungle-like landscaping that creates a level of privacy that's genuinely rare on A1A. The property spans four contiguous lots.→ See the full listing on Zillow

If you've been looking for a reason to get out with your dog this Saturday — or you just want to be around a lot of very happy dogs — PawPalooza has you covered.

St. Johns PawPalooza rolls into The Fountains at St. Johns this Saturday, April 25 from 11 AM to 2 PM, and it's bringing together pets, people, and the local community for a morning of vendors, local business partners, and the kind of good energy that only a dog-friendly outdoor event can deliver. It's put on by Jacksonville Business Connections with one simple goal: "Bringing Paws, People & Community Together."

Here's the rundown:

This one is showing "almost full" on Eventbrite — so if you're planning to go, grab your spot sooner rather than later.

→ Get Tickets on Eventbrite

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers — Tuesday, April 21, 8 PM — Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N, Ponte Vedra Beach An intimate night with one of the most distinctive voices in American music. Great venue for this show. → See Tickets

Justin Hayward — Thursday, April 23 — Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N, Ponte Vedra Beach The voice of the Moody Blues, live on the First Coast. Intimate and genuinely special. → See Tickets

HARDY: The Country! Country! Tour (w/ Mitchell Tenpenny & McCoy Moore) — Thursday, April 23, 7 PM ($varies) — VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Downtown Jacksonville Country rocker HARDY is one of the hottest acts in the genre right now and this tour has been selling out everywhere. A major draw for music fans across the 904. → See Tickets

Everclear — Friday, April 24 — FIVE, Jacksonville Santa Monica. Everything to Everyone. You know the drill. A great Friday night throwback. → See Tickets

Phil Wickham – Song of the Saints Tour — Friday, April 24 — VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Downtown Jacksonville A massive worship night at the Arena. If this is your scene, it's going to be a great one. → See Tickets

Russell Dickerson – RussellMania Tour — Friday, April 24, 7 PM (Doors 6 PM) ($53+) — St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A S, St. Augustine Country hits, warm weather, outdoor amphitheater. One of those "it doesn't get more perfect" April nights in the 904. → See Tickets

Ottmar Liebert — Sunday, April 26 — Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N, Ponte Vedra Beach Flamenco-influenced acoustic guitar to close out the weekend. Something a little different and genuinely beautiful. → See Tickets

47th Annual Sandcastle Contest — Saturday, April 25, 12:00–2:00 PM (FREE) — Just north of the Jacksonville Beach Pier, Jacksonville Beach One of those very Jacksonville traditions. Teams compete building sandcastles while the rest of us enjoy a good excuse to be on the beach. Free to watch, family-friendly, and the perfect low-key Saturday morning activity — especially if you've got visitors who need a proper First Coast introduction. → More details at Action News Jax

Opening of the Beaches Parade — Sunday, April 26, 2:00 PM (FREE) — Starts at 5th Ave N & 2nd St, Jacksonville Beach Beach season officially kicks off Sunday with one of Jacksonville's most beloved annual traditions. Festive floats, community spirit, and a reason to stake out a good spot on the sidewalk. Free to attend — and honestly one of those events that reminds you why living here is pretty great. → More details at Visit Jacksonville

Walk for Wishes (Make-A-Wish) — Saturday, April 25, Registration 7 AM / Walk 8 AM — Jacksonville Zoo, 370 Zoo Pkwy Your registration fee covers full-day zoo admission, so you walk for kids and then explore the zoo for the rest of the morning. Everyone wins. → More details at the Jacksonville Zoo

Celebrate Trails Day — Saturday, April 25, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM (FREE) — LaVilla Link Butterfly Garden, Emerald Trail, Downtown Jacksonville Groundwork Jacksonville is bringing the community out to the Emerald Trail for the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Celebrate Trails Day — and this one sounds genuinely lovely. Think food, activities, live music, and a butterfly release along one of Jacksonville's most exciting greenway projects. A great Saturday morning if you want to be outside and feel good about it. → More details at Groundwork Jacksonville

San Marco Spring Market — Saturday, April 25, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM — San Marco Art Center, San Marco Local food, handmade crafts, local goods, and craft workshops for kids — all in one of Jacksonville's most charming neighborhoods. A great excuse to wander San Marco on a Saturday afternoon. → More details at San Marco Art Center

If your readers know one thing about me — it's that I am a markets person. And this Saturday is a good one for it.

Riverside Arts Market — Saturday, April 25, 10 AM–3 PM (FREE) — 715 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville (under the Fuller Warren Bridge) Jacksonville's most beloved weekly market, rain or shine. Nearly 150 local makers, farmers, food vendors, and artists set up under the Fuller Warren Bridge along the St. Johns River every Saturday. Fresh produce, handmade goods, live music, and the occasional dolphin sighting from the riverbank. One of the best free things you can do on a Saturday in this city — full stop. SNAP/EBT accepted. → More details at riversideartsmarket.org

Beaches Green Market — Saturday, April 25, 10 AM–2 PM (FREE) — Penman Park, 321 Penman Rd, Jacksonville Beach Every Saturday at Penman Park, this beloved Beaches market brings out local organic produce, fresh meats, free-range eggs, baked goods, cut flowers, locally roasted coffee, and handcrafted goods. The full lineup. Perfect pairing with a morning beach walk. → More details at Visit Jacksonville

Jacksonville Farmers Market — Saturday, April 25, 7 AM–5 PM (FREE) — 1810 W Beaver St, Jacksonville Florida's oldest continually operating farmers market, open since 1938. Fresh produce, specialty and imported items, Mayport shrimp, and local artisan goods. One mile from downtown, open daily — but Saturday is always the most lively. → More at jaxfarmersmarket.com

Tractor Supply Farmers Market Pop-Up — Saturday, April 25, 8 AM–2 PM (FREE) — Tractor Supply, New Kings Rd, Jacksonville A pop-up farmers market at the New Kings Road Tractor Supply — locally grown produce, baked goods, honey, arts and crafts, and seasonal items. A fun neighborhood stop if you're on that side of town. → More details at Action News Jax

Whiskey & Wellness — For the Guys — Saturday, April 25, 6:00–9:00 PM — Burlock & Barrel Distillery, Jacksonville An evening at one of Jacksonville's own craft distilleries — wellness meets whiskey in a setting that's a little different from your average Saturday night out. Details and tickets via Burlock & Barrel. → More details at Burlock & Barrel

Downtown Jax Pub Crawl — Saturday, April 25, 7:00 PM — Starts at USS Orleck Naval Museum, Downtown Jacksonville One of the more creative starting points for a pub crawl you'll find anywhere — kicks off at a decommissioned Navy destroyer docked on the Northbank. Tickets available online. → Get Tickets online

McGala 2026 — Saturday, April 25, 6:00 PM — Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, Ponte Vedra Beach A prom-style charity night for the dressed-up-and-giving-back crowd. Ticketed, unique vibe, not your typical Saturday night out. → More details on Eventbrite

Jacksonville 95ers vs. Tampa Bay Titans — VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena → Get Tickets

Fishing Competition at Jacksonville Beach Pier → More details

First Coast Comedy — Jacksonville's local comedy scene keeps it going. → See what's on

That's it for today! This week is one of those "how do I pick just one thing?" weeks — but if I had to choose, HARDY on Thursday and the Sandcastle Contest + Beaches Parade combo on the weekend are the two I'd be most torn on. Let me know what you end up doing.

Have a great week, Jax. 🧡

— Austin

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