Festive Fourth on Amelia Island, Florida
What to do, where to be this 4th of July holiday weekend? Celebrate America’s birthday in Fernandina Beach featuring patriotic music and fireworks at the riverfront. Also visit Fort Clinch this weekend for its special Union Garrison living history presentation.
Downtown Fernandina Beach Events
Friday Evening, July 1, 2016 — Sounds on Centre
Kick off the long 3-day holiday weekend downtown with Friday night’s free street concert, Sounds on Centre, from 6 to 8 pm. Featuring live music by “Flipturn,” playing Indie Rock/Alternative, (see Flipturn Facebook page). Centre Street is closed off to traffic from Second Street to the riverfront. Bring beach chairs, find a spot to relax, listen to music by this hometown Fernandina band.
July 4th Highlights, Celebrate Downtown
Enjoy an “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July,” downtown along the riverfront in historic Fernandina Beach. The evening hours of Monday, July 4, 2016 (6 pm to 9:15 pm) will include a free concert — patriotic music performed by the Nassau Community Band starting at 7:45 pm. A “Kids Zone” and arts and crafts vendors open at 6 pm. Enter or watch the “Best Decorated Bike,” “Patriotic Pooches,” and/or “Pie Eating” contests. Bring beach chairs, relax and enjoy the atmosphere and celebrate America’s Independence Day. Vendors will also offer food and beverages for purchase. For more info about Fernandina’s July 4th events, call the city at 904-310-3350.
Fireworks Downtown 9 PM At Riverfront
Leading up to the grand finale fireworks at 9 pm downtown on Monday night 7/4/16, is a natural display of light and color hard to beat! The sun will be setting July 4th at 8:32 pm and downtown Fernandina along the riverfront is an ideal place to watch. Thanks to sponsors, Community First Credit Union and Light Up Amelia, for supporting the fireworks display for the community to enjoy.
Fort Clinch State Park
Mingle with historians during special 2-day living history presentation this holiday weekend. Reenanctors will bring Fort Clinch to life July 2-3, 2016 — Saturday (9 am till 5 pm) and Sunday (9am till noon) — during a Union Garrison weekend at this historic fortress perched on Amelia Island’s northern tip. Glimpse soldier life as it was in the year 1864.
Besides being an interactive history lesson, Fort Clinch State Park is a great place to spend some island time — have a picnic, go fishing, do some beachcombing, biking or hiking. For those who’d rather not pack a picnic to bring along, a new food option has opened at Fort Clinch just in time for summer 2016 (see more about the Live Oak Grill further below).
Wonderful Waterfront Views at Fort Clinch
Enjoy spectacular elevated waterfront views available from the Fort Clinch cannon wall area, as well as from the half-mile-long fishing pier.
New! Live Oak Grill at Fort Clinch
Check out the Live Oak Grill, a brand new concessionaire to the park in 2016, located inside the visitor center/gift shop area. Live Oak Grill offers hot and cold sandwiches (Shrimp Po’ Boy, Chicken Breast, Grilled Cheese and Veggie), plus burgers, hot dogs and beverages, including coffee and Southern favorite, sweet tea.
Fort Clinch Entry Info
Fort Clinch State Park (entry gate at 2601 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034). Park grounds daily hours are 8 am until sundown, 365 days a year. Entry is $6 per vehicle (2-8 passengers), $4 for single occupant (or ride a bike into the park at $2 per person). For cyclists, pedal through the park, around a 3-mile ride (one way) from park entry gate to the Fort itself. It’s a lovely ride along the tree canopy-covered park road (offering welcomed shade on hot summer days). There are also mountain bike trails through the maritime forest for experienced riders. Additional entry fee for self-guided tours of the fort is $2 per person, open 9 am to 5 pm daily. Call Fort Clinch for more info (904)277-7274.
Beach Clean-up July 5, 2016
Wild Amelia and Keep Nassau Beautiful seek volunteers (no registration necessary, just show up) to help scour the beach on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. The downside of a celebratory holiday weekend is a littered beachfront. Help is welcomed to pick up trash and fireworks debris on the beach before the tide washes this pollution out to sea. Thanks for lending helping hands, anywhere along the seashore, July 5th (or any day you see litter on the beach).
However, an organized event is taking place at Peter’s Point Park from 6 am to noon (off South Fletcher Ave., park entry not far from Amelia Island Parkway intersection). Please bring water to stay hydrated (but garbage bags and gloves will be provided to volunteers entering the beach at Peter’s Point). Once there, wander at your own pace, choose whether to walk north or south, collecting debris along the way.