One Table, the Fair & a brand-new Meet the Makers 🎨

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Plus sushi on Wells Road, seven weekend picks, Shands Bridge news and two local food finds.

Shelly 🌴

Nov 12, 2026

Hi neighbor,

Pull up a chair in Green Cove on Friday, check out the Jacksonville Fair before it closes on Sunday, and meet a new sushi spot on Wells Road.

Plus, we've got weekend plans and a brand-new way to celebrate local creators. 🎨

In what year did Green Cove Springs become the seat of Clay County?

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Jacksonville Fair opens at new 82-acre Westside home

Green Cove at One Table: Free Community Lunch on Walnut Street Nov. 13

One long table. A whole community invited. Green Cove at One Table takes over Walnut Street Friday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Bring your lunch or order from a downtown restaurant. The gathering is free, but RSVP for a seat.

No toll to cross the new Shands Bridge. FDOT says the four-lane replacement near Green Cove Springs is expected to open in 2030. The bridge crossing itself won't be tolled, though the connecting First Coast Expressway will be. The new bridge will have 65 feet of clearance.
FDOT project · First Coast News

New model home in Lake Asbury. DRB Homes is hosting a free grand opening at Granary Park, 2533 Barnstead Road, Green Cove Springs, on Friday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Homes start in the $300s; RSVP on Eventbrite.

You make the good stuff. We'd love to hear your story.

Know someone creating beautiful things at home or selling at local markets? Our new Meet the Makers series is celebrating bakers, artists, crafters and other creative people throughout Clay County and Northeast Florida.

Make something yourself? Tell Maggie, our AI interviewer, what you create and how it all began. It's a short, relaxed conversation.

🎤 Tell Us Your Story

Or share the invitation with a maker you'd love to see featured. It's free to participate.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage

Thu., Nov. 12 · 7:30 p.m.
Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park

Tickets: From $37 (all-in; prices may change)
A live stage production of the holiday favorite.

Reel Fun Nights: Toy Story 5

Fri., Nov. 13 · Gates 6 p.m.; movie at dusk
Clay County Fairgrounds, Green Cove Springs

Tickets: $35 per car, $50 VIP car (front row and popcorn), or $10 with your own chair. Nonrefundable.

Kids Zone before the movie.

70s Dance Party at the Orange Park Woman's Club

Fri., Nov. 13 · 7–10 p.m. · Ages 21+
Orange Park Woman's Club, 130 Kingsley Ave.

Tickets: $35 each or $60 per couple

Doc Moccasin plays live, with costumes, a photo booth and retro bites. Fundraiser supporting local firefighters' education.

Heroes & Holidays: Clay Vets Day 5K

Sat., Nov. 14 · 8 a.m.
Orange Park Mall, Wells Road

Entry: Adults $40 through Friday ($50 race day); kids 7–12 $20; ages 6 and under in strollers free.

Registration opens 6:30 a.m.; Veterans Day ceremony and awards at 9:30. Free Santa's Family Fun Run at 10:30.

Dino Dig at Ronnie Van Zant Park

Sat., Nov. 14 · 10 a.m.–noon

Ronnie Van Zant Park, 2760 Sandridge Rd., Green Cove Springs
All-ages dinosaur bone dig with stories, games and photo ops, hosted by Clay County Parks and the Middleburg-Clay Hill Library.

Second Saturday Lakeside Market

Sat., Nov. 14 · 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
661 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park

Browse local artists, crafters, bakers, produce, honey and food trucks.

16th Annual Chili Cook-Off & Car Show at Moosehaven

Sat., Nov. 14 · 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Moosehaven, 1701 Park Ave., Orange Park

Free admission and parking. Chili-tasting kits $5 benefit Operation Lifeline.

Classic cars, live entertainment, craft vendors, food trucks and kids' activities.

Middle Eastern food on Kingsley Avenue, open at 7 a.m.

King Kabab

Kebabs, gyros and breakfast on Kingsley Avenue. Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Photo from the restaurant's website.

	Address	562 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park, FL 32073
	Hours	Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; closed Sunday
	Phone	(904) 375-9681

View in the What’s Good Local Guide

Filipino cafe and mini store on Blanding Boulevard

Lola's Filipino Cafe & Mini Store

Lumpia, pancit, adobo and a small store of Filipino groceries. Closed Monday.
Photo from the restaurant's website.

	Address	1241-21 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, FL 32065
	Hours	Tue-Sat 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Monday
	Phone	(904) 621-4485

Click here to visit Lola's Filipino Cafe

Good local businesses deserve to be found.
Explore our Clay County Local Guide, or add your business for free.

Add your business to the What's Good Local Guide

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

1871. The City of Green Cove Springs and the Clay County Clerk both date the move to that year. Middleburg was the temporary seat when the county was created in 1858, and Whitesville (also called Webster) became the official seat after an 1859 election.