Two of the biggest events on Northeast Florida’s social calendar — the Concours d’Elegance and the Gate River Run — take place this weekend, but that’s hardly all that’s going on. We also have two great comedians in town, a strawberry festival and a chance to learn swing dancing.
Or you can stay home and mow the lawn.
Laughing
The Comedy Zone in Mandarin is bringing in a couple of big names this weekend. Howie Mandel of “America’s Got Talent,” “Deal or No Deal” and just about every other show on TV plays two sold-out shows at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday. Jimmie Walker, who became a household name in the ’70s for his work at JJ on the sitcom “Good Times,” takes the stage at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday ($20).
100 things to do in March: Amelia Concours, The Players, Gate River Run and more
Still time to see:What you should know about ‘Beyond Van Gogh’ in Jacksonville before it (finally) leaves
More to do:Your guide to Florida’s biggest, best music festivals for 2023
Amelia Concours d’Elegance
“A motoring event like no other” returns to the property of the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island and Golf Club of Amelia at Amelia Island for the 28th year, with a weekend of events including a Cars and Coffee show for everyday drivers and the main Competition for some of the finest cars in the world. Jeff Gordon, the driver NASCAR fans either love or hate, will be Amelia’s 2023 honoree. Tickets for Sunday’s main event, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, are $195.
Gate River Run
You can run the 15 kilometer race through the city center and San Marco, you can join a shorter race or you can sit on the curb and cheer on the runners in the city’s biggest road race. Runners set off from the starting line near the Jacksonville Fairgrounds at 8 a.m. Saturday and finish at TIAA Bank Field. A 5K charity run, challenge mile, Junior River Run and diaper run are also planned for the same day.
Clay County Strawberry Fest
Who doesn’t love a big, juicy strawberry? The Clay County Fairgrounds west of Green Cove Springs will be the site of the seventh annual Strawberry Fest, featuring frisbee dogs, monster truck rides, hula hoop contests, ax throwing contests and every kind of strawberry dish imaginable. 10.00 to 17.00 Saturday and Sunday. $6.
Swing dance
Swing dancing done right sure looks like a lot of fun. On Sunday, two-time world dance champion Heiko Leyhausen will give free dance lessons at 5 p.m. in Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, followed by a concert by Jacksonville’s own TBA Big Band at 18.00, playing big band hits by Benny Goodman. , Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and others so you can show off your new moves. $10-$20.
