WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE BEACHES

Your quick guide to discovering what’s happening around the Beaches this weekend

Halloween weekend is here, and the Beaches are ready for it! 🎃

This past week, we cheered on the four-legged racers at DachToberfest, watched a trunk-or-treat and chili cook-off bring the community together indoors when the rain rolled in, and now we’re stepping back in time to discover when Ponte Vedra Beach was known as Mineral City. But we’re not stopping there! We’ve rounded up four Beach Living Picks for October 30–November 1, featuring a lively night market, a trunk-or-treat and movie under the stars, a spooky haunted trail, and a Jaguars home game. Whether you’re in the mood for family fun, a little fright, or cheering on the Jags, there’s something happening at the Beaches for everyone!

Let’s get out there and discover something local! 🌊

This week’s newsletter is sponsored by Flame Broiler

Planning a party, team lunch or game-day spread? Flame Broiler at Tapestry Park offers catering across all the Beaches communities. 🍚

📧 flamebroilerjax@gmail.com • 📞 (904) 619-2789

Follow Flame Broiler on Instagram →

Weenie races, costumes and a whole lot of tail wags at BrewHound

Monday evening at BrewHound Dog Park + Bar belonged to the dachshunds! 🐾 North Florida Weens celebrated its first anniversary (a “Wienerversary,” of course) with DachToberfest, a dachshund-only meetup packed with vendors, contests, raffles, food and beer.

Local vendors lined the yard with goodies for pups and their people, from homemade dog treats and fresh-baked scones to dachshund-inspired apparel.

🏁 And they’re off!

Then came the main event: the weenie races! Short legs, big hearts and plenty of cheering made every dash to the finish line a highlight, and lots of racers showed up in costume, too.

👑 Best in Costume: The Cowgirl

And the costume contest winner? The Cowgirl! 🤠💗 This adorable dachshund stole the show in a tiny pink cowgirl hat and matching bandana, perfectly coordinated with her human’s pink cowboy hat and bandana. Talk about a rootin’-tootin’ duo that was dressed to impress! 🐾🤠💗

🎸 Live music by Walker Road

Walker Road set the soundtrack for the evening, filling the yard with live music while pups and people mingled, shopped and cheered.

💛 Wagging for a good cause

A portion of ticket sales and all raffle proceeds benefited Dollar for Doxies, which supports dachshunds with IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). Happy first Wienerversary, North Florida Weens! 🌭

Beach Living takeaway: Some of the best local events are built by a community of fans. Come for the weenie races, and stay for the people (and pups) who make it happen.

DachToberfest event details →

📸 Want to see more? Our full DachToberfest photo gallery (82 photos!) is up on the Beach Living 904 website through November 25.

The weather moved it indoors, but the fun carried on

Sunday’s Trunk or Treat and Chili Cook-off at Christ United Methodist Church in Neptune Beach had to move indoors because of the weather, but the fun didn’t skip a beat. Ms. Hannah led the charge, and tables and treat stations were set up in no time.

The result was a multigenerational party packed with costumes, from ’80s throwbacks to Little Red Riding Hood (with the Big Bad Wolf in Grandma’s bonnet). Everyone made the best of the change in plans, and the chili kept spirits warm. My favorite of the night? “3 Meat Revival.” 🌶️

📸 See all the costumes! Our Trunk or Treat, Chili Cook-off & Pumpkin Patch photo gallery (56 photos!) is up on the Beach Living 904 website through November 24.

🎃 Last call for pumpkins!

Christ UMC’s outdoor pumpkin patch at 400 Penman Road in Neptune Beach closes after Halloween, so swing by this weekend to pick out a pumpkin or snap a fall photo with the scarecrows. 📸

Can you guess this Beaches hot spot?

Take a good look. 👀

This multi-story birdhouse is all set for feathered tenants, and it comes with a pretty great view: a peaceful stretch of water and a winding boardwalk just beyond the trees. 🐦

Here’s a hint: bring your binoculars. At this spot, the birds are the main attraction!

Can you guess where we are?

Don’t scroll to the bottom yet… the answer is waiting for you there!

October 30–November 1

YOUR WEEKEND STARTS HERE

🏮 FRIDAY • FOOD & FUN

Friday, October 30 • 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

📍 Beach Marine, 2315 Beach Blvd • Jacksonville Beach

Stroll an outdoor night market by the marina, with food vendors, local artisans and live entertainment. Free admission!

Event details →

🎈 FRIDAY • FAMILY & FUN

Friday, October 30 • Trunk-or-Treat 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Movie 7:15 PM

📍 Latham Plaza & SeaWalk Pavilion, 11 1st St N • Jacksonville Beach

Make a night of it! Collect treats from local businesses, then stay for a free outdoor showing of The Haunted Mansion. Bring a blanket or chair and settle in. 👻

Trunk-or-Treat details →

Moonlight Movie details →

👻 THURSDAY–SATURDAY • SPOOKY FUN

Thursday–Saturday, October 29–31 • 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

📍 South Beach Access, GTM Research Reserve, 2200 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd • Ponte Vedra Beach

Brave a haunted walk at the GTM Research Reserve, and yes, it starts tonight! Tickets are $20 online in advance or $30 at the trail. Recommended for ages 10 and older, and closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Event details →

🏈 SUNDAY • GAME DAY

Sunday, November 1 • 1:00 PM

📍 Your favorite Beaches spot

Not headed to the stadium? Cheer on the Jags at a local Beaches restaurant or bar and support the businesses that make our community special. Beach Living 904 will share some local options on social media over the weekend, so keep an eye on our feed. DUUUVAL! 🏈

Game details →

That’s just a taste! There’s lots more happening around the Beaches this weekend, from markets and pumpkin patches to live music and Halloween fun. Check the website for even more great things to do.

Before the golf courses and resort living, Ponte Vedra Beach was a mining town. ⛏️

Photo source: Historical Text Archive, “Turning Sand Into Gold”

In the late 1800s, the area was sparsely populated. Then, in 1914, minerals were discovered in the local sands, and a mining community took shape. Its name? Mineral City.

Mining grew during the World War I era, and the National Lead Company bought out the original owners for the rights to those mineral-rich sands. The company even built a nine-hole golf course and a log clubhouse for its workers. ⛳

When demand for the minerals faded, the company turned to a new idea: a resort community. In 1928, Mineral City got a more inviting name, Ponte Vedra, and the old mining camp’s recreational facilities grew into what became the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club.

Next time you dig your toes into the sand at Ponte Vedra Beach, remember: it was once worth mining! 🏖️

Sources: Florida Department of State • National Park Service

There’s always something happening at the Beaches.

Hosting something? Local businesses, organizations and community members can submit events for free.

Did you guess it?

That birdhouse stands at Bird Island Park, a peaceful little park that opened in 2010 thanks to hard-working local volunteers. 🙌

Wander through a turtle-shaped hedge maze of native plants, then follow the boardwalk around the water to the bird rookery. Bring your binoculars and take it slow; this park is made for lingering. 🐢🐦

📍 101 Library Blvd. • Ponte Vedra Beach • Open dawn to dusk

Thanks for reading, sharing, and supporting the local places that make our Beaches special.

I hope you discover somewhere new, meet a neighbor, or find a new favorite spot this weekend.

Have fun out there—and as always, shop local, dine local, and support local!

— Mary

Beach Living Media | Beach Living 904