Watermelon fest, Guns N' Hoses, Big Gay Picnic, Tedeschi Trucks: Top 5 things to do this weekend in Jacksonville

Tom Szaroleta, Florida Times-Union
·2 min read
The Tedeschi Trucks Band will work songs from its four new albums into its stage show as the records are released this summer.
The Tedeschi Trucks Band will work songs from its four new albums into its stage show as the records are released this summer.

Live music at Daily's Place

Five summers ago, the Daily's Place amphitheater opened with shows by the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Train and Dave Matthews. Matthews was there earlier this month, but Tedeschi Trucks is back on Friday, with Gabe Dixon and Los Lobos opening (7 p.m., $45.75-$149.75) and Train is back on Sunday, with Jewel and Blues Traveler opening (6:30 p.m., $29.50-$89.50).

More: Tedeschi Trucks Band releasing 4 new albums this summer. Their inspiration? The same poem behind a Clapton classic

More to do: Big concerts, family-friendly events and more: Your guide for things to do in Jacksonville this summer and beyond

Watermelon festival

Nothing says summer quite like watermelon, so the first weekend of summer seems like as good a time as any for a Watermelon Festival. The fest is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Clay County Fairgrounds, west of Green Cove Springs. They'll have Frisbee dogs, seed-spitting contest, watermelon fudge, sack races, bounce houses, pony rides, a petting zoo and lots and lots of watermelons. $6.

Big Gay Picnic

Jacksonville's big Pride celebrations are in October, but you can celebrate Pride Month at a Big Gay Picnic, scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Willowbranch Park. Bring your own blankets, chairs and side dishes; they'll provide the burgers, dogs and DJ. Free.

Firefighters and law-enforcement officers will face off in the ring Saturday at the 23rd annual Guns N' Hoses charity boxing event.
Firefighters and law-enforcement officers will face off in the ring Saturday at the 23rd annual Guns N' Hoses charity boxing event.

Guns N' Hoses

Police officers and firefighters will square off in the ring Saturday when the 23rd annual Guns N' Hoses charity boxing event comes to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. There will be a street party in front of the arena starting at 3:30 p.m., and the fights start at 6:30 p.m. $15-$55.

Beer for Bombs

You can do your part to support Ukraine's fight against the invading Russians by stopping by Alewife Craft Beer Bottleshop and Tasting Room in Five Points on Saturday to sample Beer for Bombs, a brew based on a Ukrainian recipe and brewed by 26 Degree Brewing in Pompano Beach. Money raised at the Jacksonville tasting session, which runs from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, will be sent to Pravda Brewing in Lviv to make Molotov cocktails and other weapons for the Ukrainian fighters. The dark stout ale is $7 for a 16-ounce can onsite, $5 a can to go or $18 for a four-pack. Odessa Slava Cafe will provide the Ukrainian munchies, and T-shirts will be available for $20.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Things to do in Jacksonville: Tedeschi Trucks, Train, Guns N' Hoses