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🧠 Clay County Trivia During World War II, Camp Blanding got so busy that it ranked among Florida’s largest cities. Where did it rank? Scroll to the bottom for the answer. |
 Forecast for Oct. 29-Nov. 1, Orange Park (Clay County), FL. Lows are for that night. Source: National Weather Service Jacksonville, updated Oct. 28, 2:20 p.m. ET. |
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Halloween weekend is here, and Clay County is going all out. 🎃 |
Halloween around Clay County has more going on than you might think, from an 1894 jail tour and a haunted trail to pumpkin patches and trunk-or-treats.
We’ve been keeping this guide current all month, with dates, times, prices and details to know before you go. Read More... |
Then a local spot a lot of people drive past without knowing what’s actually open to visitors. |
Camp Blanding is really two different trips. The World War II museum on State Road 16 is free, open daily from noon to 4 p.m. and sits outside the main gate, so you don’t need a base pass.
The wildlife management area is a different story. Since Sept. 1, visitors need a Camp Blanding permit, and civilian adults have to complete a background check before picking up their pass. If you’re planning a weekend hike, don’t wait until Saturday to figure that part out.
We broke down the permit options, gate hours, trail access, fishing rules and what to check before you make the drive. Read More... |
And before the weekend wraps, a school-calendar cheat sheet for the rest of the year. |
We did the math the district PDF leaves to you. Count the weekends and Thanksgiving break is nine days (Nov. 21 to 29), winter break is 17 (Dec. 19 to Jan. 4) and spring break is 10 (March 19 to 28).
Next day off: Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, so line up child care early if you need it. Elementary schools also have early release this Friday, Oct. 30.
One senior-year quirk: graduation is May 21, nearly a week before the last day of school. Every date is in our full Clay County Schools calendar guide. Read More... |
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Tales from the Clink |
Fri., Oct. 30, 5 to 8 p.m. Where: Historic Triangle, 915 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs Cost: $3 adults, $1 youth (cash only) If you only get to one thing this weekend, make it this one. For one night, Ridgeview High drama students bring real Clay County true crime stories, pulled from the Clerk of Court’s historical archives, to life inside the old 1894 jail, the 1890 courthouse, the history museum and the vintage railroad depot. Organizers call it “slightly spooky family fun,” and that’s about right. The big draw is the Trial of the Sweetheart Slayer, a reenacted murder trial on the courthouse’s second floor at 5:45 and 6:45 p.m., where the jury decides the verdict. It fills up, so grab a seat early. Admission includes the Clay County History Museum, and there’s pizza, drinks and sweet treats, plus activities from Clay Parks & Rec, the county library and the Village Improvement Association. Good to know: it’s recommended for adults and kids 8 and up (parents’ call), and parking is free in nearby lots and along the streets around Walnut Street and Gratio Place. Bring cash. Questions: Clay County Historical Archives, (904) 371-0027. Details: exploreclay.com |
Boo on the Boulevard |
Sat., Oct. 31, 6 to 9 p.m. Where: South Lawrence Boulevard, Keystone Heights (S.E. Lakeview to Flamingo Drive) Keystone Heights closes South Lawrence Boulevard for a free Halloween night of trick-or-treating. Local businesses and organizations line the street with candy and games for kids, and there are food trucks, live music and a photo booth too. The forecast gives Halloween night a 40% chance of showers and storms, so check the city’s events page before you head out. Questions: Keystone Heights City Hall, (352) 473-4807. Details: keystoneheights.us |
Clay County National Night Out |
Wed., Nov. 4, 5 to 8 p.m. Where: Clay County Fairgrounds, 2497 State Road 16 West, Green Cove Springs Weather pushed it back in October, and now the Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s National Night Out is on for next Wednesday. Instead of separate neighborhood parties, it’s one big countywide night with kids’ activities and games, live music, food trucks and treats, community resources and a chance to meet the deputies who serve Clay County. Coming as a neighborhood? Groups can reserve a VIP space by emailing thodges@claysheriff.com. The Keystone Heights National Night Out also moved to Nov. 4, at the Keystone Beach Pavilion. Details: exploreclay.com |
Middleburg Historic Fall Festival & Car Show |
Sat., Nov. 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Middleburg Museum, 3912 Section St., Middleburg The Middleburg Civic Association’s annual fall festival fills historic downtown Middleburg with a car show, vendors, food trucks, live music, a petting zoo and bounce houses. Middleburg’s own history gets the spotlight too, with the Middleburg Museum taking part. It’s an easy Saturday for the whole family, and a good excuse to finally poke around the old part of town. Details: exploreclay.com |
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A family-run Venezuelan bakery on Blanding Boulevard in Orange Park |
Avila Bakery & Cafe |
A family-run Venezuelan bakery and cafe where everything is made from scratch, using recipes passed down from Abuelita Matilde. Gilberto and Amenyuri opened their first bakery in Caracas in 2007, and today they run Avila with three of their children. |
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Breakfast and lunch every day on Blanding Boulevard in Middleburg |
Brunchville |
A cozy brunch spot in Middleburg, serving breakfast and lunch from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day. Think Belgian waffles with fresh fruit, omelets, BLTs, crispy fried chicken and stacked burgers like the BBQ Bacon Burger. |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Fourth. The Camp Blanding Museum says the camp was Florida’s fourth-largest city during the war, and it estimates that more than 745,000 personnel served there. |