Things To Do on The Liberty Coast... October Activities
FALL Calendar September Activities
GUARDIANS OF THE FIRST COAST: BUILDING READINESS FOR WORLD WAR II EXHIBIT showcases artifacts, oral histories, first-hand stories, photographs, and videos that connect local people to world events. Ongoing at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, StAugustineLighthouse.Org or 904-829-0745. HISTORY OF NAS JACKSONVILLE Base historian, Ron Williamson, will share rare historical photos, stories, about the 80 year old base at a Navy League luncheon on the 22nd floor of the VyStar Downtown tower. 11:30 a.m., Thursday, SEPT 2, 76 S Laura St, Jacksonville. Validated parking, advanced registration appreciated at NavyLeagueJax.Org/Upcoming-Events, $25. ST JOHNS COUNTY HOMELESS VETERANS STAND DOWN provides basic needs and support services, dental screenings, showers, haircuts, tents, bikes, clothing, sundries, and connection, volunteer opportunities. 9 a.m., Saturday, SEPT 11, Elks Lodge 829, 1420 A1A S in St Augustine. Info and transportation 904.209.6160. DEADLINE - JACKSONVILLE VETERANS DAY PARADE APPLICATION to participate in the City of Jacksonville’s Veterans Day Parade on Nov 11 is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, SEPT 12. Application must be submitted online at COJSpecialEvents.formstack. com/forms/veterans_day_parade_2021_application. More info at (904) 255-5422 or Events@COJ.Net DEDICATION OF MARY HELEN HOFF HONORARY ROADWAY Join the Clay County Board of Commissioners and Veterans at the roadway designation and marker unveiling for the inspiration of the National POW/MIA flag. 10:00 a.m., Friday, SEPT 17, Moody Avenue Park, 3510 Moody Avenue, Orange Park, FL, free.
WHISTLING DEATH 10KM AND 5KM Celebrating the F4U Corsair, nicknamed “Whistling Death.” Races will traverse the airbase where Marine Corps fighter pilots were trained. 8 a.m., Saturday, OCT 2, Military Museum of North Florida in Green Cove Springs, 1stPlaceSports.Com/Races/WhistlingDeath, $25 - $30.
NAVY LEAGUE SALUTE TO VETERANS DINNER honoring Korean War Veterans, Korean War history and cultural programs, benefitting Naval Sea Cadets Corps youth training and Tillie Fowler Memorial Navy ROTC scholarship fund at Jacksonville University. 6 p.m., Thursday, NOV 4, NAS Jax’s River Cove (O Club). Base access NOT required. Register at NavyLeagueJax.Org/Upcoming-Events, $50.
UNIVERSITY of NORTH FLORIDA VETERANS DAY TRIBUTE with keynote by Dr. George Candler, Director, Masters of Public Administration programs and Navy Veteran. 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, NOV 9, VETS ON TAP AT CATTY SHACK RANCH Veterans Plaza, UNF Student Union, 1 UNF Dr., WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Join Veterans networking Jacksonville, MVRC@UNF.Edu, free. with the really big cats while enjoying food trucks and VETERANS COUNCIL OF ST JOHNS experiencing the mission of this non-profit sanctuary COUNTY VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION for rescued exotic cats. 12 - 3 p.m., Saturday, OCT Come early,enjoy patriotic entertainment, the Vietnam 2, 1860 Starratt Rd, Jacksonville. Tix and Info at Traveling Memorial Wall and Global War on VetsOnTap.Org. Terrorism Wall, engage Veteran organization displays ST MARYS ROCK SHRIMP FESTIVAL 48th and representatives. Doors open 9:30 a.m., annual day of famous rock shrimp dinners, parade, Celebration at 11 a.m., Thursday, NOV 11, Anastasia 5K/10K, music, vendors all on historic St Mary’s Baptist Church, 1650 A1A S, St Augustine, waterfront. Parade at 10 a.m., dinners sold VeteransCouncilSJC.Org, free. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday, OCT 9, St Mary, JACKSONVILLE VETERANS DAY PARADE Georgia. Much more info at SMKiwanis.Com. The City of Jacksonville’s parade, largest in Florida, USO ARMED FORCES HALF MARATHON honors those who have served with decorative floats, AND FREEDOM 5K marching bands, Veterans groups, and more. Start Join us for the last race on the historic half marathon near the Prime Osborn Convention Center. 11:01 a.m. course as USO transitions into the reimagined Thursday, NOV 11, Prime F. Osborn III Convention “Tri-Bridge Challenge” next year. Walk, run, raise Center, 1000 Water St., Downtown, SpecialEvents. funds for a military branch team, finisher medals, COJ.Net, free. technical shirts, fantastic post-race celebrations and more. Free for active duty, reserves, national guard and 10th ANNUAL SALUTE TO VETERANS 5K dependents E-6 and below and 50% off registration for RUN/WALK & PATRIOTIC PAWS WALK E-7 and above with ID. Sponsorships available, contact Legacy Veterans Day-related 5K along St. Johns River, presented by VyStar, finisher cash prizes, medals, shirts, Charlie Tramazzo at 904.635.7801. 7 a.m. SHARP, Saturday, OCT 16, Registration and more info at Jax. family-oriented village, patriotic events, food, drinks, bounce houses, games. 8 a.m., Saturday, NOV 13, USO.Org/Events/145, free - $65. Patriotic Paws Parade at 8:45 a.m., 300 A Philip 62nd ANNUAL CRACKER DAY CELEBRATION Randolph Blvd Jacksonville, SaluteToVeteransRun. Family-friendly, showcases Spanish cracker horses ItsYourRace.Com/Event.aspx?id=14612 and celebrates “cracker” cowboys who used whips to ANTIQUE CAR SHOW & OPEN HOUSE Enjoy round up cattle. Horse and cattle games, barrel rolls, music, snacks and good conversations and awesome BBQ. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, OCT 16, Gates cars at the former NAS Cecil Field. All donations open at 6 a.m., St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 benefit the American Cancer Society. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. State Road 207, Elkton, FL, $5 per car. Saturday, NOV 13, Cecil Pines Adult Living BALD EAGLE SQUADRON LUNCHEON Community, 6008 Lake Cove Ave., Cecil Commerce Association of Naval Aviation connects and educates Center, CecilPines.Org, free. all with interest in overall military status and importance WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS of Naval Aviation, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thursday, OCT Featuring Rocky Bleier, Vietnam Veteran & 21, Holiday Inn & Suites Orange Park, 620 Wells Rd, Pittsburgh Steeler Superbowl Champion, everyone is Orange Park, BaldEagleSquadron.Org, $20. invited to a hero’s welcome including a procession of honor of Vietnam Veterans. Sunday, NOV 14, 12:55 - 3 p.m., (doors open at Noon), VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Phillip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville. Register and sponsorships at JaxBar.Org/VietnamVetWelcomeHome,free. WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT CARRY
SEVEN BRIDGES POW/MIA REMEMBRANCE RIDE from Jax Veterans Memorial Wall to National POW/MIA Memorial at Cecil Field for remembrance ceremony. Open to all riders, registration 9 - 11:30 a.m., KSO Noon, SEPT 18, arrive 1:30 p.m., 1145 FORWARD 5K is a most powerful, one-of-a-kind E. Adams St., Downtown Jacksonville, more info event you’ll ever experience. It’s a unique opportunity from Denny Luke, 904-403-0141, FREE. to take action for wounded warriors. 8:00 a.m., Saturday, NOV 6, Wounded Warrior Project HQ, NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY includes ruck/run/walk challenge, car and bike show, 4899 Belfort Rd Suite 300, Jacksonville, Register at CarryFoward@WoundedWarriorProject.org, free to $35. live entertainment, kids zone, 9 a.m., lunch 11:30
November Activities
a.m. - 1 p.m., Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy ceremony at 2 p.m., Saturday, SEPT 18th, Chapel of the High-Speed Pass, Cecil Commerce Center, 6112 POW-MIA Memorial Pkwy, Jacksonville. Info & register for lunch, $10, at POWMIAMemorial.Org. 20 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FALL 2021 VOL. 2 / ISSUE 1
JACKSONVILLE PORCHFEST is an awesome music and community festival in the historic Springfield neighborhood. Stroll among the porch stages and enjoy live music. 12 - 8p.m., Saturday, NOV 6. Info at JacksonvillePorchFest.Org, free.
BALD EAGLE SQUADRON LUNCHEON Association of Naval Aviation networking with aviators and all interested in importance of Naval Aviation in the defense of U. S. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thursday, NOV 18, Holiday Inn & Suites Orange Park, 620 Wells Rd, Orange Park, BaldEagleSquadron.Org, $20. NIGHTS of LIGHTS The annual winter celebration is back in the Ancient City. Enjoy extended hours at local establishments, special tours, and millions of lights. NOV 20-Jan. 31, Downtown St. Augustine, VisitStAugustine.com/Event/Nights-Lights, free.
