Happy Friday, Jax!
It's a big week to be a local — we just got named the #1 housing market in the country for first-time buyers, the Jumbo Shrimp dropped a season pass that's almost too good to be true, and the weekend ahead is absolutely stacked. Blues on the beach, a sour beer fest, a food festival in the Ancient City, farms in bloom, and yes… Whitney Cummings is in town. Let's get into it.
In today's edition:
🏡 Jacksonville ranked #1 in the U.S. for first-time homebuyers
⚾ Jumbo Shrimp unveil the $99 "Jax Ballpark Pass"
🍤 Taste of St. Augustine returns this Sunday
🎤 Whitney Cummings, Springing the Blues & more weekend picks
🎡 Clay County Fair's final weekend
🍺 Markets, farmers markets, sour beer fest, farm tours & so much more
— Austin
🏡 Jacksonville is officially America's #1 market for first-time homebuyers
Source: News4JAX / Zillow
Go ahead and let that headline sink in. A new Zillow analysis just ranked Jacksonville the #1 large metro in the country for first-time homebuyers this spring, beating out 49 other big markets including Birmingham, San Antonio, Atlanta, and Houston.
Here's what this means:
Zillow looked at four things: rent affordability, how many listings a median-income household can actually afford, the competition level, and the share of residents aged 29–43 (aka the prime first-time buyer crowd). Jax checked every box.
In top-ranked markets like ours, up to 68% of listings are affordable to a median-income household — which is wild compared to, say, Miami or Tampa right now.
Zillow's economist said first-time buyers "are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel" thanks to rising incomes, stabilizing prices, and more inventory.
If you've been renting and thinking "maybe this is the year," the data is basically begging you to at least run the numbers. More inventory + less competition = real negotiating room on price. And for the young professionals and families reading this who keep hearing "why Jacksonville?" — here's your national-headline answer.
P.S. If you've got friends or family in a more expensive market wondering if they should make the move, forward them this section. Consider it your public service announcement.
⚾ Jumbo Shrimp drop a $99 season-long "Ballpark Pass"
Source: MiLB.com / News4JAX
File this one under "deals that feel like a typo." The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp just unveiled the brand-new Jax Ballpark Pass — $99 gets you into every home game for the 2026 season, and $199 gets a family version with four tickets per game.
Here's what this means:
The pass gets you a General Admission Grass Berm ticket to all remaining 2026 home games at VyStar Ballpark. You can book up to four games at a time and upgrade to box seats for a little extra.
Quick math: that's roughly $1.50 per game if you actually go. Bring the kids, bring your friends, bring a date — it's cheaper than a single movie ticket.
And remember, these are the reigning Triple-A National Champions we're talking about. Real baseball, fireworks nights, giveaways, the whole bit.
Heads up — it's not a season ticket (no guaranteed seat), but for $99? The flexibility is kind of the whole point. Grab the family pass, tell the kids you're heroes, coast on that for six months.
🍤 Taste of St. Augustine is Sunday — and it's one of the best days of the year down there
If you've never been, put this on your calendar right now. A Taste of St. Augustine lands Sunday, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, and it's the Ancient City's signature food festival — now in its 29th year.
Here's what this means:
More than 20 of St. Augustine's favorite restaurants and food trucks show up serving their most popular dishes in "taste"-sized portions. You pay $1 per ticket, and vendors charge one to eight tickets per bite — so you can graze your way through the whole festival without overcommitting to any one thing.
Entry is $10 per person, and all proceeds benefit EPIC Behavioral Healthcare, a community nonprofit that's been serving St. Johns County since 1973.
There's also kids' arts and crafts, live music on the Front Porch stage, and the infamous People's Choice Award — yes, you get to vote.
Want to earn your tastes? The Race to the Taste 5K is a certified course running through beautiful Anastasia State Park on Sunday morning, ending right at the festival. All experience levels welcome, and registered runners get free entry to Taste of St. Augustine. Honestly? Genius marketing.
Free parking is available at the Amphitheatre, plus a free shuttle runs from R.B. Hunt Elementary. Pro tip: show up hungry, wear stretchy pants, and bring cash.
P.S. The weather this weekend is shaping up to be perfect spring — sunny and in the 70s. Don't waste it indoors.
🎡 Weekend Events
🎪 Festivals & Fairs
Springing the Blues Festival — Friday–Sunday, April 10–12 (FREE GA / VIP available) — Seawalk Pavilion, 75 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach The 34th annual oceanfront blues festival with national, regional, and local acts performing on the iconic beachfront stage. Friday starts at 5 PM; Sat & Sun run noon–10 PM. VIP wristbands here.
Clay County Agricultural Fair — Final Weekend — Through Sunday, April 12 (Tickets $7–$10) — Clay County Fairgrounds, 2463 FL-16, Green Cove Springs Last weekend of the 39th annual fair. Rides, livestock, fair food, and 40+ sides of fun. Kids under 5 are free. Full schedule & tickets.
Gamble Rogers Folk Festival — Friday–Sunday, April 10–12 (Single-day ~$35, weekend passes available) — St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 FL-207 E, Elkton A laid-back outdoor folk festival honoring Florida troubadour Gamble Rogers. 40+ performances, workshops, food trucks, and camping on-site. Grab tickets here.
Tour de Farm: St. Johns County — Sunday, April 12 (11 AM–3 PM) (Car pass $25–$40) — Start at St. Johns County Agricultural Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Dr, St. Augustine A self-guided tour of working farms. Stops include Parker Flower Farms, Parker Produce, Wilson Family Farm, The Feed Mill, and the Ag Center. One pass covers the whole carpool. Car passes on 904tix.
Arts & Crafts Festival at the Pier — Saturday & Sunday (Sat 10 AM–5 PM / Sun 10 AM–4 PM) (FREE) — St. Augustine Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine Beach Free outdoor festival with hand-crafted goods, artwork, live music, and food right by the beach. Perfect casual spring outing.
🎤 Live Music & Comedy
Whitney Cummings: Big Baby — Saturday, April 11 (7:00 PM) (Tickets) — Terry Theater at Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, 300 W Water St, Downtown Jax The sharp-witted comedian brings her new tour — inspired by her recent journey into motherhood — to Jax for one night only. Grab tickets here.
Ed Larson at VyStar Ballpark — Saturday, April 11 (Tickets) — VyStar Ballpark, 301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Downtown Jax Yes — Ed Larson is playing at the Jumbo Shrimp stadium itself. A very cool novelty show at one of Jax's favorite venues. Grab tickets
🏒 Sports
Icemen vs. Atlanta Gladiators — Margaritaville Night — Saturday, April 11 (7:00 PM) (Tickets) — VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Downtown Jax The Icemen rebrand as the "Jacksonville Frozen Margs" with special Margaritaville-themed jerseys. Pre-game Guns N' Hoses charity game. Tickets here.
Icemen vs. Orlando Solar Bears — Publix Family Funday — Sunday, April 12 (3:00 PM) (Tickets) — VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Downtown Jax Sunday matinee with Publix Family Funday + Icemen Book Club Night. Great affordable family outing. Game details.
🍺 Markets, Beer & Food
Feel Good Friday Market at Ruby Beach Brewery — Friday, April 10 (11 AM–2 PM) (FREE) — Ruby Beach Brewing, 228 E Forsyth St, Downtown Jax Pop-up market with local vendors alongside brewery pours. The perfect lunch-break escape. More info.
Sour Fest 2 at Keg & Coin — Saturday, April 11 (Starts 11 AM) (Tickets) — Keg & Coin, King Street, Riverside 10 unique sour beer taps from breweries like Xul, RAR, Ruby Beach, Intuition, and Voodoo. VIP guided tasting 11 AM–12 PM, all-you-can-enjoy hour 12–1 PM. Family-friendly early; 21+ after 9 PM. Some taps sell out — grab tickets early.
Coffee & Calligraphy — This weekend (Check site for details) — Jacksonville A cozy workshop combining two of the most relaxing hobbies in existence. More info.
🥬 Farmers Markets This Weekend
Riverside Arts Market (RAM) — Saturday, April 11 (10 AM–3 PM) (FREE) — 715 Riverside Ave, Under the Fuller Warren Bridge Jax's signature Saturday market with fresh produce, local artisans, food trucks, and live music along the St. Johns River. More info.
Beaches Green Market — Saturday, April 11 (2–5 PM) (FREE) — Jarboe Park, 510 Florida Blvd, Neptune Beach Certified producer-only market with local farms, honey, baked goods, and prepared foods. Perfect afternoon stop after the beach. More info.
Jacksonville Farmers Market — Open daily, including Saturday & Sunday (Sat 7 AM–5 PM / Sun 9 AM–4 PM) (FREE) — 1810 W Beaver St, Jacksonville Florida's oldest continually open farmers market, just a mile from downtown. Bulk produce, international goods, and unbeatable prices. More info.
🎨 Arts & Community
Platform 9 3/4 Wizarding Market — Saturday, April 11 (12–6 PM) ($13) — River City Railway, Downtown Jacksonville The 6th annual magical pop-up market featuring nerdy art vendors and special guests set up in their own train cars. Kids 7 and under are free. Grab tickets here.
👨👩👧 Family-Friendly
Yoga with the Tigers — Sunday, April 12 (10 AM–12 PM) ($25 Adult / $12 Child) — Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, 1860 Starratt Rd, Jacksonville A 60-minute accessible yoga session in an open field just steps away from the big cats who call Catty Shack home. Afterward, enjoy a private guided tour with sanctuary volunteers to meet the residents and learn about their rescue work. Families welcome — the "Cubs Corner" keeps little ones busy with games during the yoga session, then everyone reunites for the tour. Book tickets here.
Yoga in the Park — This weekend (Check site) (FREE) — Various parks, Jacksonville Bring your mat and meet up for an open-air flow session. Spring weather makes this hard to beat. Find a session.
See y'all on Monday!
— Austin