American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is scheduled to headline the third annual holiday event at St. Johns Town Center on November 21, 2009.
This event is filled with holiday festivities including live entertainment, kids activities and even fireworks. Beginning at noon, you can enjoy a street festival featuring arts and crafts, food vendors, entertainment, giveaways, carnival games, balloon artists, face painting and characters from the popular online community Tootsville. There will also be very merry activities like bounce houses, a magician and jugglers.
The Tree Lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. with special performances from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Jacksonville Mass Choir and Charlie Walker. At 8 p.m., the fifth-season winner of American Idol Taylor Hicks will perform his soulful hit songs as well as seasonal favorites to get everyone into the holiday spirit. This season’s concert takes place in a new location in front of the Great Tree in Park Green near Maggiano’s.
Immediately following the performance, Taylor Hicks will join Santa to lead the audience in an exciting countdown to light the dazzling 30-foot tree and a spectacular fireworks finale!
“We’ve had such a great response from the community the past two years, and 2009 is even bigger and better with extended festivities,” said Kristin Balvin, director of mall marketing and business development for St. Johns Town Center. “We are thrilled to bring back the tree lighting again this year and look forward to sharing this holiday tradition with Jacksonville families.”
50-tons of sand. Pretty impressive! You also don’t want to miss the amazing gingerbread house competition.
December 11
River street is where it all happens. Come down to River Street to kick off the weekend with First Friday Fireworks and fun! There’s always a lot going on, from vendors, to music and performances. This is a great place to hang out for the evening. You can always find a nice place to sit and have a bite to eat or a drink and just enjoy the ambiance.
Tybee Island Labor Day Beach Bash 
In Camden County, this is the big one, and no wonder. Annual Labor Day Weekend Catfish Festival which runs from Saturday through Monday and it’s the largest festival in Southeast Georgia. This 3-day event includes a parade, free concerts, arts & crafts booths, southern fried and Cajun catfish, a variety of food booths, antiques and collectibles, entertainment, children’s amusement area, a 5K run, a classic car & tractor exhibition, and the annual Lion Club’s Pancake Breakfast.