What's up, Jacksonville!
We've got wildfires on our doorstep, Winn-Dixie fighting to stay in Jax, the Sharks are BACK at the Tank tonight, and this weekend is absolutely stacked — Keith Sweat, a rodeo, a Wizarding Market, and a garden concert by the river. Buckle up.
In today's edition:
🔥 Drought update + burn ban info you need to know
🛒 Winn-Dixie's $12M fight to keep HQ in Jax
🐶 Adoption SPOTlight
🤠 Featured Event: Bulls, Bands & Barrels (Saturday!)
📅 Weekend events — from R&B legends to pop-ups to a Wizarding Market
— Austin
🔥 It's Dry, Y'all — And I'm Not Kidding
Real talk — I spent the last two weeks doing light wildfire prep because there were multiple fires burning just a few miles from here. That's not a sentence I ever thought I'd write about Jacksonville.
Here's what you need to know: We're sitting on a 20 to 25-inch rain deficit right now. The drought monitor is showing extreme to exceptional conditions across most of our area, and JFRD has responded to twice as many wildfire calls this year compared to last. The Sargent Fire near the FL-GA line has been burning at over 2,700 acres.
A quick reminder: outdoor burning is always prohibited in Duval County without a permit, and JFRD is strongly discouraging all outdoor burning right now — even fire pits. If you see smoke or fire, call 911 immediately.
Stay safe out there. 🙏
🛒 Winn-Dixie Wants to Stay — And the City Is Writing the Check
Source: Action News Jax · Jax Daily Record · First Coast News
Winn-Dixie has been a Jacksonville name since 1944. Now the city is putting $12 million on the table to make sure it stays that way.
Here's what this means:
The Mayor's Budget Review Committee unanimously approved a package that includes a $6.5 million Headquarters Retention Grant (paid over five years) and a $5.5 million property tax rebate (over 20 years) to keep Winn-Dixie's corporate HQ at 5050 Edgewood Court on the Westside.
In return, Winn-Dixie plans to add 200 new full-time jobs averaging $100K/year and retain 500 existing positions at similar pay. The deal also guarantees at least 13 Winn-Dixie locations in Duval County.
Without the incentives, Winn-Dixie was reportedly considering moving its headquarters to another Florida city
The proposal now heads to City Council for a vote. Meanwhile, the Chaffee Road Winn-Dixie location (703 Chaffee Rd S.) is closing in late April to convert into an Aldi, part of Aldi's ongoing expansion across NE Florida.
🐶 Adoption SPOTlight
Every edition we shine a light on a local shelter pet looking for a forever home — and this week, meet Spot.
Spot is a nearly 2-year-old mixed breed (large) boy weighing in at about 54 lbs. He's the full package: house trained, crate trained, knows basic commands, and has lived with both children and cats. Whether you're into long walks or couch-potato mode, Spot's happy just being with his person. His favorite snack? Peanut butter. His favorite hobby? Watching TV with his shelter pals. (Yes, really.)
Even better — Spot is a Fast Pass and Sponsored Adoption, which means the process is quicker and the adoption fee may be reduced or covered. You can meet him at the Jacksonville Humane Society front desk at 8464 Beach Blvd.
If you've been thinking about adding a four-legged family member, this one's a no-brainer.
🤠 This Weekend's Can't-Miss: Bulls, Bands & Barrels
If you've never been to a rodeo — or you think rodeos aren't your thing — this is the one that changes your mind.
Bulls, Bands & Barrels rolls into the Jacksonville Equestrian Center (13611 Normandy Blvd) this Saturday, April 18 for ONE NIGHT ONLY, and it's bringing the full package: elite bull riding, barrel racing, freestyle bullfighting, and live country music headlined by Dylan Scott with special guest Tyler Nance.
Here's the rundown:
Gates open at 5 PM — grab food and drinks, walk around, soak it in
Bulls & Barrels kick off at 6:30 PM — the 2025 tour champs (Sage Vance, Landan English, Cole Pfister) are all back defending their titles
Tyler Nance takes the stage at 8:30 PM, followed by Dylan Scott closing the night out
VIP option: The "Behind the Chutes Experience" ($110 add-on) gets you standing pit privileges near the stage, merch vouchers, private VIP entrance, and bar access
Tickets start around $36 and go up from there. This is the kind of event that's loud, dusty, and completely unforgettable — bring the whole crew.
P.S. — Their tagline is "This ain't your grandpappy's rodeo" and honestly? They're right.
📅 What's Happening This Weekend
🎵 Live Music & Shows
Foreigner w/ Lou Gramm — Friday, April 17, 7:30 PM — St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C A1A S, St. Augustine, FL 32080 The 50th Anniversary Tour hits the Amp with the "FOREIGNER 4 Deluxe" show — they're performing the legendary album 4 in its entirety plus all the biggest hits. Lou Gramm. On stage. In St. Augustine. Run. → Get Tickets
The R&B Lovers Tour: Keith Sweat, Joe, Dru Hill & Ginuwine — Saturday, April 18, 8 PM ($varies) — VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 If you grew up on "Twisted," "Pony," and "Stutter" — this is your night. Four R&B legends. One arena. Dress up, grab the girls, and relive the '90s. → Get Tickets
An Evening with Goose — Saturday & Sunday, April 18–19 (Sat 6:30 PM / Sun 6 PM) ($54–$106) — St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C A1A S, St. Augustine, FL 32080 Two nights of genre-bending jam-rock from one of the hottest bands in the country right now. If you know, you know. → Get Tickets
Spring Garden Concert: Dustin Monk & the Hustle — Saturday, April 18, 5:30–8:30 PM ($60) — Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204 Pack a blanket and groove by the river. NE Florida favorite Dustin Monk & the Hustle bring their roots-rock fusion sound to the Cummer Gardens. Doors at 5:30, music from 6:30–8:30. Beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks available on-site (no outside food or drink). → See Tickets
Trace Adkins — This week Country legend on tour — grab your boots. → See Tour Dates
🏈 Sports
Jacksonville Sharks vs. Orlando Pirates — HOME OPENER — TONIGHT, Friday, April 17, 7 PM — VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 Indoor football is BACK at the Shark Tank. The Sharks are coming off a solid start to the season and tonight they face the brand-new Orlando Pirates for the first time on home turf. Tickets start cheap and the energy is always electric. → Get Tickets
Guns N' Hoses Charity Boxing — Saturday, April 18, 7 p.m. — UNF Arena, 12000 Alumni Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Jacksonville's 27th annual charity boxing event, where local cops and firefighters trade the badge for boxing gloves. It's loud, rowdy, and uniquely Jax
🤠 Only-in-Jax Events
Gateway RC Club 2nd Annual Public Airshow — Saturday, April 18, 11 AM–2 PM (FREE) — Lannie Road Flying Field, 3461 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218 Aerobatic stunts, warbirds, jets, helicopters, drones — all in miniature and all awesome. Kids can try the Simulator Flight Zone and meet the pilots. Food truck on-site. One of those hidden-gem Jax events you didn't know you needed. → See More Details
Platform 9¾ Wizarding Market — Saturday, April 18, 10 AM — River City Railway, Downtown Jacksonville A themed market with magic-inspired vendors, nerdy art, cosplay, and a seriously cool niche crowd — all set inside old train cars. Family-friendly, all ages welcome. → Get Tickets
Jacksonville Science Festival — Saturday, April 18 (free, family-friendly) — Friendship Fountain / FSCJ South Campus, 11901 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 Hands-on STEAM booths, interactive experiments, and real industry pros all in one place. Perfect Saturday morning for the kiddos. → See More Details
Small Town Boutique Crawl 2026 — Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. — 418 Walnut St, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 A day of shopping unique boutiques, finding one-of-a-kind items, and exclusive discounts in charming downtown Green Cove Springs. Grab the girls and make a day of it. See tickets →
Jacksonville Oyster Fest — Sat 4/18, 11 AM–5 PM — Riverview Park, 9620 Water St (Northside, Trout River) Fresh oysters, live music, food trucks, local vendors, and a kids zone on the waterfront. Free to attend. → See More Details
🛍️ Markets & Pop-Ups
Beaches Green Market — Saturday, April 18, 10 AM–2 PM (free) — Penman Park, 321 Penman Rd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 Organic produce, local honey, handmade goods, and that perfect beachy Saturday morning energy. → See More Details
904 Pop-Up Market — Sunday, April 19, 11 AM–7 PM (free) — Seawalk Pavilion, 75 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 200+ local vendors, 15 food trucks, live music, and the kind of Jax Beach Sunday you put on your calendar months in advance. One of the best "Jax vibe" events this weekend — don't miss it. → See More Details
Mayport Village Waterfront Market — Third Saturday of the month, 10 AM–2 PM — 4542 Ocean St, Mayport Village Coastal art, cottage bakers, food trucks, and St. Johns River views in the heart of the historic fishing village. Pet-friendly and free. → See More Details
🎶 More This Weekend
Parker Flower Farm — Petals & Pours — Thursday, April 17 A flower farm + drinks. Details TBD — check their social pages for the latest.
Twist & Shout: The Music of The Beatles — A Symphonic Experience — Thursday & Friday, April 17–18 — Jacoby Symphony Hall The Jacksonville Symphony does the Fab Four. Matinee options available.
Run to the Sun 5K — Saturday, April 18 Lace up and hit the pavement for a good cause.
The Cookout: Unity on the Block — Saturday, April 18 Community cookout bringing the neighborhood together.
Western Sun Foundation 5K — Sunday, April 19 $1 from every Goose concert ticket benefits this nonprofit — now they've got their own race.
Miles Davis at 100 — Sunday, April 19 A celebration of the jazz legend's centennial.
That's it for today! This weekend is one of those "how do I pick just one thing?" weekends — but honestly? If I had to choose, the R&B Lovers Tour and Bulls, Bands & Barrels are the two I'd have the hardest time choosing between. Let me know which one you hit up.
Have a great weekend, Jax. 🧡
— Austin
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