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Release Details

What’s New in Jacksonville, Spring 2011

Mon, April 04, 2011 8:47 am EST

Spring 2011

CONTACTS: Jennifer Bryant at (904) 421-9161 or jbryant@visitjacksonville.com
                        Lyndsay Rossman at (904) 421-9153 or lrossman@visitjacksonville.com
 

Special Events (April - July)

April:
Movies in the Park
April 8, 15 and 29
Downtown Jacksonville’s series is returning to historic Treaty Oak Park Fridays in the spring. Hosted by Downtown Vision, Inc. and JaxParks, the series features four family-friendly movies shown under the stars, each beginning at dusk (around 8 p.m.) on the land that once served as the setting for numerous silent films. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic dinners ordered “to-go” from one of the many Downtown restaurants. April 8 – Cars, April 15 – The Neverending Story, April 29 – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Beaches Sandcastle Contest & Parade
April 16 - 17
The beaches officially welcome visitors as temperatures become warmer and families head for a day in the sun. A sandcastle contest kicks off the weekend with prizes in several categories. On Sunday, a lively parade marches through Jacksonville Beach.

World of Nations Celebration
April 28 - May 1
Each spring, Jacksonville celebrates its cultural diversity with the World of Nations Celebration, presented by the City of Jacksonville. Metropolitan Park transforms into a multi-ethnic marketplace of cuisine, crafts and entertainment of people from around the world. Israel and Russia are two new countries added to the extensive list of cultures to experience in 2011.

Florida’s Birding and PhotoFest
April 28 - May 1
This event features professional photographers giving hands-on advice about outdoor photography and nature excursions throughout Northeast Florida. Headquartered at The Center for Marine Studies at Whitney Lab, attendees can pick up additional info and celebrate at a festival, which is open to the public. There is no cost to visit the education center and excursions range in price. Excursions and activities include field workshops and classroom session, renowned guest speaker Arthur Morris, bird walk, kayak tours and more.

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
April 28 - May 1
There is no better way to taste Northeast Florida’s freshest seafood. This unique celebration is complete with pirate invasions, a juried arts show, kids’ activities, craft and antique booths and more. The festival takes place in historic downtown Fernandina Beach.

May:
Movies in the Park
May 6
Downtown Jacksonville’s series is returning to historic Treaty Oak Park Fridays in the spring. Hosted by Downtown Vision, Inc. and JaxParks, the series features four family-friendly movies shown under the stars, each beginning at dusk (around 8 p.m.) on the land that once served as the setting for numerous silent films. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic dinners ordered “to-go” from one of the many Downtown restaurants. Music and kids lawn games will keep moviegoers busy before each show. Vendors will also sell concessions onsite. Movie: The Wizard of Oz.

World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
May 9
This year’s ceremony marks the first time this event will be held during THE PLAYERS Championship. Ernie Els, Doug Ford, the late Jock Hutchison, Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki, the late Frank Chirkinian and former President George H.W. Bush are the newest inductees to be enshrined. The induction class of 2011 will be featured in a new exhibit at the World Golf Hall of Fame Museum. Event takes place in the St. Johns County Convention Center at World Golf Village. A limited number of free, public seating tickets are available.

THE PLAYERS Championship
May 9 - 15
It’s one of golf’s biggest events and it’s played annually on the coastline of Northeast Florida at the famed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. The lush, green rolling hills and steep inclines offer spectacular views of each hole including the infamous 17th island green. The tournament begins on Monday with practice rounds. Thursday, the competition heats up as Round 1 of tournament play begins, concluding Sunday with fans gathering around the 18th hole to see who will take home the crystal trophy.

Moonlight Movies
May 20, 27
A classic movie is shown outdoors under the stars in Jacksonville Beach. May 20 showing is Shrek 2 and May 27 Spiderman is screened. Visitors bring picnic blankets and baskets, lawn chairs and pets to really make an evening out of it. Vendors set up to sell food and beverages, as well as there is a kids’ entertainment zone for families. Event is free. Screenings begin at 9 p.m.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival
May 26 - 29
Friday night the festival begins with incredible performances on multiple stages, including performances at Main Street, Hemming Plaza, Snyder Memorial Church, riverfront at The Jacksonville Landing and various Downtown businesses and buildings. The 2011 line-up features Natalie Cole and Herbie Hancock.

While all major concerts are free, Art in the Heart Downtown Art Show & Sale, the Wine Down Tasting Experience, Generation Next Youth Talent Competition, Jazz Brunches, ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jams and other events are ticketed.

Memorial Wall Ceremony
May 31
Remember wounded and lost soldiers and their families this Memorial Day. Jacksonville honor its military heritage and local heroes with keynote speakers, presentation of colors, family tributes, a wreath presentation, a 21-gun salute, "Taps" and musical tributes.

June:
Moonlight Movies
June 3
A classic movie is shown outdoors under the stars in Jacksonville Beach - tonight’s feature is A Knight’s Tale. . Visitors bring picnic blankets and baskets, lawn chairs and pets to really make an evening out of it. Vendors set up to sell food and beverages, as well as there is a kids’ entertainment zone for families. Event is free. Screenings begin at 9 p.m.

Cool Sounds of Hot Summer Nights
June 12
Regional and local jazz musicians perform on three Sunday evenings over the summer at Jacksonville Beach’s Sea Walk Pavilion. Bring a picnic blanket or chair end enjoy free, live music by the ocean.

Global Day of Prayer
June 12
Jacksonville is the first site in the United States to serve as the worldwide anchor city for this annual religious event uniting Christians for worship through praise and prayer. The God Channel will stream the event live and there will be celebrations, meetings and other events surrounding the event hosted at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

July:
Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks
July 4
Independence Day celebration, festivities include a majestic fireworks show over the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville and other special engagements.

Liberty Celebration
July 4
Jacksonville Beach 4th of July celebration with fireworks shot near the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier. Live music performances, family activities and a fireworks display.

Cool Sounds of Hot Summer Nights
July 10
Regional and local jazz musicians perform on three Sunday evenings over the summer at Jacksonville Beach’s Sea Walk Pavilion. Bring a picnic blanket or chair end enjoy free, live music by the ocean.

The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament presented by Southern Ford Dealers
July 18 - 23
Held each year in July at Jim King Park & Boat Ramp on the Intracoastal West, this is the largest kingfish tournament in the country. In addition to the two-day general tournament, the event also includes a Junior Angler Tournament presented by Carolina Skiff, food festival, live entertainment and more.

Arts & Culture

Riverside Avondale Preservation society’s Spring Tour of Homes will be held April 16 - 17, offering visitors a rare opportunity to step inside several of Riverside Avondale’s most beautiful and interesting residences. Featured tour stops include the first house built in the “new” Riverside subdivision, the oldest home in Avondale and a Henry J. Klutho masterpiece recognized as one of the 100 most historically and architecturally significant buildings in Jacksonville. This year, the tour includes 11 homes, one business and two schools. The Riverside Trolley will be providing free transportation along the tour route.

In May, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens will celebrate the contributions of St. Augustine collector, Ralph Wark, who in 1965 became one of the first individuals to donate artwork to the museum. His considerable collection of early Meissen Porcelain, which details the creation of the first European porcelain manufacturer, is regarded as one of the top three collections of its type in the world. The Cummer will not only present a new exhibition of this collection, but will also display a significant collection of Asian ceramics, the inspiration for the Meissen Manufactory’s early works. The exhibition, On the Silk Road and the High Seas: Chinese Ceramics, Culture, and Commerce from The Norton Museum of Art is on display from May 20 through Aug. 14 and tells the story of the “Silk Road” that linked Asia to Europe for centuries and played an important role in the development of Meissen porcelain. Also, opening in June, the Cummer will host a juried exhibition that celebrates the art, architecture, people, parks, river and landscape of the historic Riverside Avondale district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home of the museum.

The Beaches Museum & History Center announced Maarten van de Guchte, Ph.D., has been appointed as their new Executive Director. Dr. van de Guchte is a veteran museum professional. His previous appointments include the directorship of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and the Kennert Art Museum of the University of Illinois.

Barry Williams of Brady Bunch fame stars in the Alhambra Theatre & Dining’s performance of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. Williams will play the lead role as Oscar Madison in the classic comedy. The show opens May 25 for a four-week engagement.

The Florida Theatre presents a unique show this spring, Deadliest Catch: An Evening with the Captains is scheduled for June 26. Other performances include Chicago on April 29, Bill Maher on May 27 and The Monkees on June 6.

The Museum of Science & History announces that Savage Ancient Seas, presented by The Suddath Companies, in honor of Dick Suddath, will be featured at MOSH June 11 through Oct. 30. Millions of years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the North American continent, another group of animals was fighting for existence in a vast, interior seaway that stretched the entire length of the continent. The Seaway was home to many different animals, most of which are extinct today. These specimens included fish, sharks, clams, ammonites and dinosaurs, which were thought to have died near the shoreline and floated into the sea. Savage Ancient Seas will feature the fossils of these marine animals from the collection of paleontologist Mike Triebold.

Sports, Outdoors & Adventure

Adventure Landing Jacksonville Beach opened Shipwreck Island Waterpark for the 2011 season March 25, remaining open weekends through May 14, when the park re-opens daily for the season. The park features four major water slides, Lil’ St. Johns River for leisurely tubing, Kiddie’s Cove for tots, Pirate’s Play Village, Wave Pool and other attractions.

Amelia River Cruises invites visitors to sail to historic downtown St. Augustine, narrated by owner, Captain Kevin McCarthy on May 6. The special engagement excursion includes lunch at Cap's on the Water and return charter bus via Coastal Georgia Charters and Tours. Free time for shopping and sightseeing will be allotted after arrival in St. Augustine.

Kayak Amelia will offer their annual Firefly Tour Paddle on select evenings in April. The tour takes guests on a sun set paddle to meet up with a local firefly expert for a short, informative walk. As darkness falls fireflies light up the sky, covering the forest floor and creating a magical twinkling. Reservations required for three-hour tour.

Country music sensation, avid golfer and philanthropist Darius Rucker will perform at THE PLAYERS Championship Military Appreciation Day on May 11. All active duty, reserve and retired military personnel and their dependents are admitted free for Military Appreciation Day as is the case for the entire tournament week. Children under the age of 18 with a ticketed adult are also admitted for free the entire tournament. For the general public, Wednesday Practice Round tickets are only $20 for the entire day and includes the concert and other military honorary celebrations.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens recently opened its newest temporary exhibit DinoAlive. Visitors wind through a dinosaur path experiencing a trip back in time to see 18 life-like animatronic creatures that roar, snarl and move with realistic ferocity. The path also features an Eggloo, where kids will find dinosaur eggs and have fun climbing on the sturdy structure while parents can watch and rest nearby. At the end of the path, just after the most fearsome creature of them all – the Tyrannosaurus Rex – children can dig for fossils, take the controls to two robotic dinosaurs and learn more about dinos in the museum. There is a charge of $3.50 for DinoAlive in addition to zoo admission for non-members. The exhibit is on display through June 30. The zoo has also extended its closing time to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays through Labor Day.

Crocodile Crossing at The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is now open. The zip line adventure takes visitors on an obstacle course with 50 challenges above the zoo, including seven zip lines. Get a bird-eye-view of the crocodiles and alligators while soaring above the park on this awesome adventure.

Dining, Nightlife & Shopping

The historic Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach has opened their Penthouse Lounge with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean for lunch service. Lunch is now available 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Previously the lounge opened at 4 p.m. for cocktails and appetizers.

Chef Aaron Webb has designed a New Beach Cuisine menu for the penthouse luncheon that includes appetizers such as polenta sticks, salads including a goat cheese salad, sandwiches such as the chicken caesar wrap in herb tortilla and the mahi calypso. Sandwich prices start at $7.95 and entrees start at $11.95.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is hosting a “Meet The Farmers” event, honoring Executive Chef Thomas Tolxdorf’s philosophy to serve the freshest ingredients and seafood at the resort. The event on April 8 begins with a casual reception with passed hors d’oeuvres to meet and mingle with the farmers, seafood purveyors and chefs. A seasonal menu, served family-style, follows and includes three servings of Columbia Valley organic wines paired for dinner. Each course is introduced by a chef and a grower. The celebration concludes with a trio of citrus based delectable delights from the pastry chefs.

One Ocean Resort’s oceanfront restaurant Azurea is hosting the Friends of James Beard Foundation Dinner on April 9, 6-9 p.m. The exclusive event brings together the best of the best in Florida’s First Coast cuisine with prominent area chefs. The five-course benefit dinner menu is created by Chef Ted Peters and Pastry Chef Nancy Slatsky of Azurea, Chef Tom Gray of Bistro Aix, Chef Matthew Medure of Matthew’s and Chef Brian Siebenschuh of Orsay. All wine pairings for the spring season courses are from the Foley Family Wineries.

The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village has named Chef Alberto Avila as the new restaurant chef for its 500 South Restaurant & Lounge. Noted for his creativity and flare, Avila comes to The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village from its sister hotel, The Renaissance Oklahoma City Convention Center Hotel and Spa in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He also has prior experience in Northeast Florida manning chef positions at Santiono’s and Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Kara Bazma, a custom-made dress operation is now open in Jacksonville with a store front at The Jacksonville Landing. The company allows customers to create custom-made dresses using a measurement kit first, and then entering the measurements into their website where finally a custom made dress is made to the customer’s body measurements. There are no such things as "standard sizes" or "plus sizes” – just your custom size.

Accommodations

Visitors to the nation’s oldest city can experience St. Augustine’s finest hotel and state-of-the-art interactive pirate museum with the launch of the Rogues, Romance & Riches weekend package. The package includes two guest accommodations at the Casa Monica Hotel; valet parking; breakfast at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant 95 Cordova; admission to the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum; and an authentic ‘Pieces of Eight’ necklace from the museum’s new ‘Authentics’ line of artifacts and treasures and welcome drinks of Captain Morgan Rum Punch are also included.
The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront has a new level of service, introducing The Regency Club at the hotel in April. The program offers exclusive services to guests staying on the 17th floor, including access to a private, non-smoking lounge with breakfast, afternoon hors d'oeuvres and cocktails; and a personal concierge to assist with special requests. All amenities are complimentary, with the exception of alcoholic beverages.

Randy Nathan, Homewood Suites St. Johns Town Center, has been named to the Homewood Suites Director of Sales of the year. This is honor placing Nathan as a “Top 10” employee brand wide. This property has continuously been recognized for their management team.

The Spa at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation is now offering a new line of anti-aging treatments from customized facial determining the age of the skin followed by a customized-treatment to the new Plantation Blossom Ritual, a relaxing body treatment with aromatic scents of cherry blossom mist. The all-natural spa features 25 individual treatment rooms with sweeping views of lagoons and moss-draped oaks.

Flamingo Lake RV Resort is conducting park-wide improvements including new water and sewer connections to 100 RV sites, which are also being paved. Renovations and improvements will total $1 million, drawing in a larger customer-base.

Services

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has received a $4 million federal grant to purchase hybrid buses as a part of JTA’s ongoing fleet replacement program. The grant is funded through the Clean Fuels Grant Program Funds, a program that supports the U. S. Department of Transportation’s environmental sustainability efforts. JTA was the only Florida agency that received funds.

Runways Transportation Company announced the launch of its new Corporate Travel Program for its daily passenger service linking Jacksonville International Airport, Gainesville, the University of Florida and Orlando International Airport. For those traveling between these markets on business, Runways will now offer a special 10 percent discount over its existing refundable fare program to businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Upon enrolling in the program, member company/organization employees will also receive a limited-time 15 percent discount off Runways’ lowest available fare for personal travel.

The Jacksonville International Airport Arts Commission and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority unveiled their thirteenth addition to the JAA permanent art collection. Sky Bridges, an aerial sculpture, was created by artists Melanie Walker and George Peters of Airworks Studio. The artists have also installed an exhibition of their colorful kites in the Haskell Gallery at Jacksonville International Airport, on view through June 31.

Medical

St. Vincent’s Medical Center was recently designated an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. Acknowledging the center as having one of the best stroke centers in the country. The Joint Commission is a nonprofit group that accredits more than 17,000 national health care organizations.

Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village and Omni Amelia Island Plantation were recipients of this year’s Medical Meetings M&D Award, which honors the 40 hotels, resorts, and conference centers chosen by their readers for merit and distinction in serving the needs of medical meeting planners. Readers voted for the hosts that best handled their meetings or conventions in the previous 12 months, based on each property’s guest room quality, meeting rooms, catering and convention services and audio visual/technical support.

 

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Visit Jacksonville is the marketing organization contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Northeast Florida. Along with its nearly 400 tourism partners, Visit Jacksonville stimulates economic impact, quality of life and recognition for the Northeast Florida region. For a closer look at all there is to see and do in Jacksonville, go to http://www.visitjacksonville.com/