🔒River City Guide: If you think there’s nothing happening in Jacksonville this weekend, you didn’t look very hard

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hey, Insiders. 👋

Another week has come and gone, and now it’s party time (for most of us).

I may try and break away from yard work and chores to attend one of the awesome events happening around Northeast Florida.

And remember... if you say there’s nothing to do in Jacksonville, you might not have looked closely enough. There are free and paid events for everyone to enjoy! Here’s proof.

Check out our preview of the exciting events taking place from Friday, March 21, to Sunday, March 23. 👇

(Emoji Key: 💰 = Paid/ticketed event | 🆓 = Free event | 🎶 = Live music | 🔞 Event is 18 and up or 21 and up)

As always, be sure to check the organization’s website and social media accounts for any last-minute event changes or cancellations.

Weekend Events... 📅

• 904 Pop Up at Seawalk Pavilion 🆓 Jacksonville’s largest curated Pop Up featuring over 200 local vendors, 15 food trucks and live music is back on Sunday, March 23 starting at 11 a.m. Don’t miss this free family-friendly event. More info

• Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival 💰 “We will celebrate this 2nd Annual Beer Bourbon & BBQ Festival on Saturday, March 22nd this year at Metropolitan Park in Jacksonville, Florida. It’s a great day of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’ and barbeque eatin’. Children ages 12 and under are FREE.” More info

• Cars & Coffee St. Augustine 🆓🚗 “If you do then cruise over to Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine for Cars & Coffee sponsored by Bozard Lincoln held every 4th Saturday of the month except for the month of December. Start the morning with coffee and doughnuts while you check out some of the area’s finest cars! The outdoor event is free but it’s also a great time to tour our indoor museum which will open early with half-price admission from 8-10 am only.” More info

• The Emo Night Tour 💰🔞 “The Emo Night Tour is coming to Jacksonville on Friday, March 21! *18+.....doors/show start time 8:00 pm* The greatest tribute night to the music that was never just a phase… (including this event, which has been raging all across the country since 2015 and is only getting BIGGER AND BETTER)!" More info

• Challenge 22 Walk for Veteran Suicide Prevention 🆓 “American Legion 5th District Riders and Post 129 present the fifth-annual Challenge 22 Walk at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 22 at the Jacksonville Beach Seawalk Pavilion – with event net proceeds funding veteran suicide prevention programs and services in the beaches communities." More info

• Riverdance- Springtime Soul Music Social on The River 🎶💰 “The Northsiders proudly present “Riverdance” A Springtime Soul Music and Wine Social on The River at The Beautiful Oasis Retreat Property." More info

• 37th Annual Jacksonville Gem & Mineral Show 💰 “The annual Jacksonville Gem & Mineral Show is the premiere event of its kind in Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia. We have 40+ vendors selling a variety of items, including fossils, gem and mineral specimens, rough cut and slabbed stone, loose faceted and cabbed gems and stones, spiritual/metaphysical stones and crystals, beading & jewelry supplies, and an excellent selection of finished jewelry pieces.” More info

• 7th Annual Suwannee Spring Reunion 💰🎶 " The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida, will host the 7th Annual Suwannee Spring Reunion this week Thursday through Sunday, March 20-23. This family-friendly music festival spans four days and nights and includes camping, music workshops, kids’ activities, arts & crafts and daily yoga. Kids 12 and under are free.“ More info

For more ideas for fun weekend activities, take a look at our Events Calendar. 👇

How one woman veteran found her saving grace through her service dog Bobbi

One of the biggest challenges veterans have always faced is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD. Women are becoming the fastest-growing demographic of the veteran population and are struggling to find the resources they need to deal with the invisible wounds of PTSD.

Rebecca Stephens, an E4 specialist in the Army, served from March 2007 to March 2011 and was deployed to Iraq for a year. Her mental struggles after she returned home eventually led her to seek help, which she found in the form of a four-legged companion. Click here to read the full story.

SnapJAX Stars 🌟📸