The Big Cats hit the preseason field, families hit the water, Kenny Chesney hits the local stage and runners hit the beaches. Plus, locals celebrate a major milestone for women and raise a toast to Jacksonville's four-legged friends. They're all among the First Coast's August 2008 events.
Jacksonville Jaguars Preseason Games, August 9, 26
Photo © Doug Benc
The Big Cats are back! The Jacksonville Jaguars kick off their preseason prowl August 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, then take to the field again against the Miami Dolphins August 26. Gametime is 7:30 p.m. at Municipal Stadium. Tickets range from $50 to $250 and there's a 10-ticket per-family limit.
Family River-Ride, August 9
Photo © St. Johns Riverkeeper
The St. Johns Riverkeeper hosts its last 2008 Family River-Ride August 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Board the Water Taxi for beautiful views of the St. Johns River, learn about local history and ecology and have a little fun with hands-on activities. Space is limited, so you must make reservations. Email your name, contact information and number of participants to Education & Outreach Coordinateor Danielle Dolan at danielle.dolan@gmail.com. Cost is $25 for a family of up to five. Chat with Danielle if you've got a bigger brood, 904-256-7591.
Salt Cooking School, August 13-14
Here's a surefire way to be the envy of neighborhood at your end-of-summer backyard barbecue: a two-day, hands-on class from Chef de Cuisine Richard Gras of Salt, The Grill, a AAA Five Diamond restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. Smoking, Grilling, Basting: For the Love of Barbecue is worth the drive. Costs range from $339 to $569. Call 904-277-1100.Toast to the Animals, August 15
Photo © ULTRA.F/Getty Images
The Florida Theatre hosts the 10th Annual Toast to the Animals, benefitting the Jacksonville Humane Society, August 15, 5:00-9:00 p.m. Gourmet hors d'oeuvres and desserts, more than 200 varieties of wine, and a chance to land some great goods in live and silent auctions. $30 for Designated Driver tickets, $65 for Preview Tasting tickets (5:00-6:00 p.m.) and $40 for General Tasting tickets (6:00-9:00 p.m.) Call 904-725-8766 for more info.
Summertime in the City 2008, August 16
Image courtesy UrbanJacksonville.info
Urban Synthesis Radio and HipHopHell present Summertime in the City 2008 at 9th & Main in Springfield. The all-day party gets started at noon and keeps kicking until 2:00 a.m. Family-friendly features start things off and include a barbecue, bouncehouse and Kiddy Disco. Spoken word poetry workshops and live Hip Hop performances round out the day. Call 904-353-6002.
Perfect Wedding, through August 17
Their wedding just might be Martha Stewart perfect-if not for the strange woman in the groom's bed and a coverup that goes terribly, hilariously awry. Playwright Robin Hawdon's "Perfect Wedding" is performed at the Limelight Theatre in St. Augustine through August 17. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday matinees. Tickets are $22. Call 904-825-1164.Kenny Chesney's Poets and Pirates Tour, August 20
Photo © Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney takes the stage at the Veterans Memoorial Arena August 20 at 7:30 p.m. Two-time Grammy Award winner LeAnn Rimes and everyone's favorite "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" Miranda Lambert open. Tickets range from $36.50 to $69.50.
Celebration of Women, August 22
The Women's Center of Jacksonville's annual Celebration of Women honors those who worked for toward the passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote in the U.S. in 1920. The August 22 event, hosted by the Jacksonville Public Library at Hemming Plaza downtown, benefits more than 9,000 women and families via services for victims of sexual assault and elder abuse, breast cancer survivors, clients needed low cost counseling, women with HIV/Aids and students learning to read. Wine and hors d'oeuvres, door prizes and an art auction make for a great girls' night out. Call 904-722-3000.Carrabba's Summer Beaches Run, August 23
The Carrabba's Summer Beaches Run is Florida's oldest footrace.
This five-mile, oceanfront event, sponsored by Carrabba's Italian Grill, is touted as Florida's oldest footrace. In its 44th year, the annual event attracts hundreds of runners, joggers and walkers and doles out cash prizes ranging from $50 to 150. Entry fees range from $12 for the one-mile fun run for kids to $25 for day-of-race registration. Meet at the Sea Walk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach. And stay for the after party with free grub from Carabba's, free Budweiser beer and other refreshments, plus live music by "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" and an awards ceremony. For more info, call the race hotline at 904-731-1900.