 |
Good morning, Clay County! I looked through everything happening around Clay and pulled out the good stuff.
Halloween is a week away, so you’ll find trunk-or-treats, a haunt, and food truck nights, plus a plain-words look at Amendment 3 and two local spots to eat. |
🧠 Clay County Trivia One small Clay County town is named for a famous department store founder, who built a community there in 1926 for retired ministers, missionaries and YMCA workers. Who was he? Scroll to the bottom for the answer. |
 Forecast for Oct. 22-25, Orange Park (Clay County), FL. Lows are for that night. Source: National Weather Service Jacksonville, updated Oct. 21, 7:53 p.m. ET. |
 |
This Friday, Oct. 23, the College Drive Food Truck Night has a Halloween edition from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 16 College Drive, with games and trunk-or-treating. Oakleaf Food Truck Friday runs 5 to 8 p.m. at Oakleaf Trinity.
After that, trucks keep rolling all fall in Oakleaf, Middleburg and Green Cove Springs, where the last Food Truck Friday until spring is Nov. 6.
Read More... |
Looking for something to do in Orange Park? Think riverside parks, a historic 1912 house with free tours, a Sunday farmers market and local spots for breakfast and seafood.
The guide has the addresses, upcoming dates, holiday events and a few places worth the drive. Plan your Orange Park weekend. Read More... |
Amendment 3 is on the Nov. 3 ballot and needs at least 60% of the vote to pass.
If it passes, the homestead exemption from non-school taxes would rise to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. School taxes keep the $25,000 exemption.
Rentals, second homes and businesses would get a 5% cap on yearly non-school assessment increases instead of 10%.
Read the full explainer to run your own numbers. Read More... |
 |
Green Cove Springs Police Department Trunk or Treat |
Fri., Oct. 23, 6 to 9 p.m. Where: Green Cove Springs Police Department, 1001 Idlewild Ave., Green Cove Springs Decorated trunks, food trucks, games, bounce houses and slides, plus costume contests for kids and for adults. It’s a free community event run by volunteers, donations and sponsors. Take a look at the parking map on the city’s event page before you go. Questions: (904) 297-7304. Details: greencovesprings.com |
Mad Hatter’s Chair-i-ty Gala |
Sat., Oct. 24, 6 to 10 p.m. Where: The Grove at Orange Park Country Club, 2525 Country Club Blvd., Orange Park A grown-up night out from the Art Guild of Orange Park. The main event is a live auction of chairs that Guild members turned into one-of-a-kind art, with Congressman Aaron Bean as guest auctioneer, plus live music, hors d’oeuvres and a wine pull. Tickets are $50 per person, online or at the Guild Gallery, 440 McIntosh Ave. Proceeds go to the Guild and the Courtenay Hunt Scholarship, and Wonderland-worthy hats are very much encouraged. Tickets: artguildfl.com |
Pergamum Haunt & Escape Room |
Sat., Oct. 24, 7 to 11 p.m. (also Sat., Oct. 31) Where: Pergamum Haunt, 2909 Barbara Ln., Orange Park A haunted trail and an escape room, $10 each, booked by time slot online. The trail runs about 15 minutes plus a final scene, and the escape room takes about 40 to 55 minutes. It’s intense, and the haunt says ages 12 and up handle it better. If you’re on the fence, the 7 to 8 p.m. slot isn’t completely dark, so it’s a little less scary. It runs in the rain, though heavy rain may cause a delay. Wear closed-toe shoes, and know there are no bathrooms on site. Tickets: pergamumhaunt.com |
 |
Fish camp classics on the water in Fleming Island |
Whitey’s Fish Camp |
A North Florida staple since 1963, right on Swimming Pen Creek at the south end of Doctors Lake. Think fried shrimp, catfish and other fish camp classics, with live music, a full kids menu and dock space if you’re coming by boat. Saturday, Oct. 24, is Whitey’s Halloween Costume Party, with the No Idea Band on stage from 8 p.m. to midnight and costume contest winners announced around 11 p.m. Whitey’s doesn’t take reservations for most parties, but you can call ahead up to 30 minutes before you arrive to get on the waitlist. Menu and details: whiteysfishcamp.com Photo from the restaurant’s website. |
|
|
A hometown wing spot on Walnut Street in Green Cove Springs |
Roger That Wings & Things |
A hometown spot for wings and gathering on Walnut Street in downtown Green Cove Springs. It’s named for the owner’s papa, Roger Lentile, who only did a job one way: the right way. |
|
|
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: J.C. Penney. The town is Penney Farms, and the community he founded, first called Memorial Home Community, is now Penney Retirement Community. |