Your Derby weekend guide is here 🐢

What's up, Jacksonville!

We're closing out April on a high note — sea turtle nesting season is officially beginning on our beaches, derby hat season is upon us, and this weekend is genuinely stacked from Saturday morning through Saturday night. Markets, mud runs, a candlelit symphony, and more hats than you'll see all year. Let's get into it.

In today's edition:

🐢 Sea turtle nesting season begins — and there's real reason for optimism
🍷 Restaurant Spotlight: Reds Wine Bar, Green Cove Springs
🎩 Derby Watch Parties — our top picks for Saturday
🎶 Live Music This Week
📅 Full Weekend Events Guide

— Austin

May 1 is the official start of sea turtle nesting season along Northeast Florida's beaches — and this year, conservationists are feeling something they don't always get to say out loud: genuine hope.

Three species nest regularly on our local shores — loggerheads, leatherbacks, and green sea turtles — and all three are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Last year, St. Johns County recorded more than 1,000 nests, producing an estimated 80,000 hatchlings that made it back to the Atlantic. And in 2025, the International Union for Conservation of Nature downlisted the green sea turtle from "endangered" to "least concern" — a direct result of decades of conservation work finally showing up in the numbers.

Justin Perrault of the Loggerhead Marinelife Center summed it up: leatherback nesting hit a record last year in Florida, and this season is already starting strong.

Here's what this means for you as a beachgoer this season:

The Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol is an all-volunteer nonprofit covering our local stretch of coast — and they do extraordinary work. Learn more or get involved at bstp.net.

Think of our beaches as a habitat, not just a backdrop. What you do on the sand this season genuinely matters. 🐢

→ Read more at Jacksonville Today

Every Wednesday I shine a light on a place worth knowing about. This week: a Clay County hidden gem that locals have been quietly loving since 2018.

If you haven't had a reason to drive down to Green Cove Springs lately — you do now.

Reds Wine Bar sits on Walnut Street in the heart of downtown GCS, opened in 2018 by Boyce and Kim Royal. The name is a tribute to Boyce's grandfather, Boyce "Red" Royal Jr. — and that personal touch carries through everything about the place. It feels warm, intentional, and genuinely welcoming the moment you walk in.

The drink menu covers serious ground: dozens of wines by the glass or bottle, craft beers on draft, specialty cocktails, and alcohol-free options for everyone at the table. The food is scratch-made and legitimately good — the flatbreads are a standout (order the BBQ chicken immediately 🤤), and the Bavarian pretzel is non-negotiable. Strong vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free coverage throughout the menu, and the price point stays approachable — most guests spend around $30–50.

What makes Reds a destination rather than just a stop: the weekly programming. Trivia nights, bingo, ladies night, comedy shows, and live music every weekend. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear each other talk — cozy without being quiet, lively without being loud.

📍 414 Walnut St, Green Cove Springs | Tue–Sat from 4:30pm 🎉 See their full events calendar →

Date night, girls' night, or just a Tuesday when you need to get out of the house — this one is worth every mile of the drive.

Grab the big hat, find a bowtie, and pick your spot. Here's where Jax is watching the race this Saturday:

The Local (226 Solana Rd, Ponte Vedra) — 3–7pm — Our top pick. First 100 guests get a free mint julep. Costume contest for best men's, women's, couple, and best hat. Race viewing across multiple TVs indoors and out, with food and drink specials all afternoon. → Tickets here

Culhane's Irish Pub (967 Atlantic Blvd) — From 4pm — Fried green tomatoes, slow-smoked chicken wings, vodka bundt cake, and Derby specialty cocktails. → Details here

Cowford Chophouse Rooftop (101 E Bay St, Downtown Jacksonville) — 4–7:30pm — Ticketed. Includes heavy appetizers and two drink tickets per person. Portion of proceeds benefits the Johnson Family YMCA. Silent auction + best-dressed contest. Rain or shine. → Tickets here

Jacksonville Zoo — ExZOOberation: Seagrass Derby (370 Zoo Pkwy) — 6–10pm — The Zoo's premier fundraising gala, this year held under the VyStar SkyScape overlooking the new Manatee River Habitat. All-inclusive food, open bars, live band, casino gaming, animal encounters, and a Derby watch party. 21+. Note: this one is sold out — but worth knowing for next year. → More info

Friday, May 1

Jacksonville Symphony: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone™ in Concert — 7:00 PM ($88+) — Jacoby Symphony Hall, Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, 300 W Water St | Watch the full film on the big screen while the Jacksonville Symphony performs John Williams' iconic score live. If you've never done a film-in-concert experience, this is the one to start with. → Get Tickets

Loud Luxury at Decca Live — 10pm–3am | Tickets from $39 → Get Tickets

Saturday, May 2

Jacksonville Symphony: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone™ in Concert — 7:00 PM — Jacoby Symphony Hall | Second night of the run. → Get Tickets

Candlelight Concert: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons — 4:00 PM ($49–$81) — Ann & David Hicks Auditorium, Jacksonville Public Library, 303 N Main St | A gorgeous candlelit spin on two of the biggest bands of the past two decades. 60 minutes. Doors open 45 min early. → Get Tickets

Vintage Market Days (Clay County Fairgrounds, 2497 FL-16 W, Green Cove Springs) — Fri May 1–Sun May 3 | Fri 10am–4pm (Early Buy) · Sat–Sun 10am–4pm (General Admission) | Indoor + outdoor upscale vintage market packed with art, antiques, jewelry, handmade goods, home decor, and food vendors. Kids under 12 free. → Tickets & Info

Feel Good Friday Market — Fri, May 1 at 11am — Ruby Beach Brewing | Local makers, good vibes, great beer. Free to attend.

WellFest at Johanson Park (Atlantic Beach) — Sat, May 2 → More Details

☕Coffee Crawl — 8:45am | FREE | 1-mile loop sampling coffee and treats from local businesses 🧘 Collaborative Yoga — 10am | 90-minute session bringing together local studios 👗 Sustainable Clothing Swap — Bring up to 20 gently used items before 10am; browse and take home as many as you bring after noon

Mud Run at Jacksonville Equestrian Center — Sat, May 2 at 8:00am → Register here

Jacksonville Sharks vs. New Mexico Chupacabras — Sat, May 2 at 7pm | VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena → Tickets

Jacksonville Dolphins at North Florida Ospreys Baseball — Sat, May 2 at 6:05pm | Harmon Stadium

That's your Wednesday, Jax. This weekend has something for everyone — and if I had to pick one thing, The Local's Derby Party is hard to beat: free mint julep for early arrivals, costume contest, and multiple TVs inside and out. If you want something a little more elevated, that Harry Potter symphony experience is going to be something else entirely.

Have a great week. 🧡

— Austin

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