Latest news with #ClayCountyStrawberryFestival
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘Clay County's Superbowl': City officials prepare for the legacy Clay County Fair
The countdown to the Clay County Fair has begun. City officials and event leaders call this 'Clay County's SuperbowL,' kicking off on April 3rd and running through the 13th. 'I encourage everyone who wants to come to the fair to consider coming during non-peak hours,' said Michelle Cook, Clay County Sheriff. Clay County law enforcement said the eleven days of this fair are the county's busiest days of the year and the attractions at the fair are only growing. The ride company partnered with the Clay County Fair; Deggeller Attractions is adding a total of three new rides in 2025. 'We're also offering a new upgrade to the arm band which is called the 'fast pass.' It is a way for riders who really want to ride all the rides can get in and cut some of the lines,' said Andy Deggeller, CEO of Deggeller Attractions. Related: Clay County Fair announces 2025 concert lineup Sheriff Michelle Cook said during these eleven days, State Road 16 which is a two-lane road, will bring over around 170,000 cars into the fairgrounds. She adds there will be deputies and message boards stationed all the way from Green Cove Springs to Penny Farms to direct traffic, but some drivers can expect delays up to an hour long on some days. Traffic issues at the fairgrounds caused headaches for visitors and law enforcement just last month at the Clay County Strawberry Festival, but fair officials said they're prepared. Related: 'This is unacceptable': Clay County Sheriff comments after less than sweet start to Strawberry Festival 'These roads and this parking lot has a capacity and when it reaches that capacity, there is nothing we can do about it . We will be sending out messages once our parking lot and capacity gets to 50%,' said Sheriff Cook. Sheriff Cook advises everyone to download the 'SaferApp' so potential fairgoers can know about weather conditions and if the fair can take in any more guests. Once the parking lot is full, that means the fair has reached its full capacity. 'Even if we had additional parking, if we had 1,000 spaces somewhere else and eventually got those people here, this footprint would be too full with overcapacity and potentially unsafe.' If you are ready to start buying tickets or need more details about the fair, click here. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Florida strawberry festival traffic congestion prompts alert, Facebook posts from sheriff's office
Clay County Sheriff's Office issued a traffic alert via Facebook shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday, March 2, urging people to expect traffic delays on state Road 16 in Green Cove Springs and fill their gas tanks before attending the Clay County Strawberry Festival. Those not attending the festival were warned to consider alternate routes. Dozens of comments flooded the Clay County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, complaining about hours of traffic while trying to leave the festival Saturday afternoon. The entry gates were closed early due to the traffic and arising safety issues. More "on duty" personnel was assigned for Sunday, March 2, Sheriff Michelle Cook wrote in a Facebook post. However, the sheriff stated that taxpayers should not have to pay for an event hosted by a private vendor. "Let me be very clear ..." Cook wrote in her post,' the Strawberry Festival should hire enough staff to support an Incident Management Team (those that command and support the working personnel) and hire enough staff to support a full and comprehensive traffic plan — similar to what the Fair does — the CCSO will not support this event. We will debrief this event and provide our feedback to the promoter." Cook clarified that the Strawberry Festival is not organized by the same group that puts on the Clay County Fair. Addressing concerns about the county fair specifically, she stated that they have been working with the organizers to reduce traffic wait times and ensure traffic runs as efficiently as possible. The Clay County Fair runs from April 3-13, 2025. The Sheriff's Office page shared some safety reminders Sunday, along with the alert. On Cook's personal page, she encouraged festivalgoers to email feedback on the traffic to the Clay County Strawberry Festival organization's team. Florida Strawberry Festival 2025: 12 things to know from ticket prices to concert lineup The Clay County Strawberry Fest will be hosted at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs. Dates: Saturday, March 1 to Sunday, March 2, 2025 Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Address: Clay County Fairgrounds 2463 FL-16, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 There is plenty to do besides scarfing down strawberries at Clay County Strawberry Fest. Disc Connected K9s will present free frisbee dog shows at 12, 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Both days will feature a 'Berry Cute Baby Contest' at 12 p.m., where the winner will receive $25 Berry Bucks to spend at the festival, a Kohl's Cares Stuffed Animal and a certificate coupled with bragging rights. The runner-up will also receive the Kohl's Cares Stuffed Animal and certificate. Other activities include: Monster truck rides Bungee jumping Aze throwing Batting cage Arts and crafts Train rides Bounce houses Pony rides Petting farm Face painting Hula hoop contests and sack races This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Clay County Strawberry Fest traffic in Florida prompts Facebook alerts
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Florida strawberry festival traffic congestion prompts alert, Facebook posts from sheriff's office
Clay County Sheriff's Office issued a traffic alert via Facebook shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday, March 2, urging people to expect traffic delays on state Road 16 in Green Cove Springs and fill their gas tanks before attending the Clay County Strawberry Festival. Those not attending the festival were warned to consider alternate routes. Dozens of comments flooded the Clay County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, complaining about hours of traffic while trying to leave the festival Saturday afternoon. The entry gates were closed early due to the traffic and arising safety issues. More "on duty" personnel was assigned for Sunday, March 2, Sheriff Michelle Cook wrote in a Facebook post. However, the sheriff stated that taxpayers should not have to pay for an event hosted by a private vendor. "Let me be very clear ..." Cook wrote in her post,' the Strawberry Festival should hire enough staff to support an Incident Management Team (those that command and support the working personnel) and hire enough staff to support a full and comprehensive traffic plan — similar to what the Fair does — the CCSO will not support this event. We will debrief this event and provide our feedback to the promoter." Cook clarified that the Strawberry Festival is not organized by the same group that puts on the Clay County Fair. Addressing concerns about the county fair specifically, she stated that they have been working with the organizers to reduce traffic wait times and ensure traffic runs as efficiently as possible. The Clay County Fair runs from April 3-13, 2025. The Sheriff's Office page shared some safety reminders Sunday, along with the alert. On Cook's personal page, she encouraged festivalgoers to email feedback on the traffic to the Clay County Strawberry Festival organization's team. Florida Strawberry Festival 2025: 12 things to know from ticket prices to concert lineup The Clay County Strawberry Fest will be hosted at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs. Dates: Saturday, March 1 to Sunday, March 2, 2025 Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Address: Clay County Fairgrounds 2463 FL-16, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 There is plenty to do besides scarfing down strawberries at Clay County Strawberry Fest. Disc Connected K9s will present free frisbee dog shows at 12, 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Both days will feature a 'Berry Cute Baby Contest' at 12 p.m., where the winner will receive $25 Berry Bucks to spend at the festival, a Kohl's Cares Stuffed Animal and a certificate coupled with bragging rights. The runner-up will also receive the Kohl's Cares Stuffed Animal and certificate. Other activities include: Monster truck rides Bungee jumping Aze throwing Batting cage Arts and crafts Train rides Bounce houses Pony rides Petting farm Face painting Hula hoop contests and sack races This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Clay County Strawberry Fest traffic in Florida prompts Facebook alerts
