The First Coast's first weekend of 2014 offers comedy, rodeo, dance, a scavenger hunt, and a chance to make a new best friend.Friday, January 3 & Saturday, Jan. 4 — Stand-up PJ Walsh, who performed on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour with Larry the Cable Guy, Ron White, and Jeff Foxworthy, headlines the Holiday Hangover Weekend at Comedy Club of Jacksonville. Rated “Soft-R” for content and language. Visit JacksonvilleComedyClub.com for more info and tickets.
Friday, January 3 & Saturday, Jan. 4 — Night trolley service in Riverside/Avondale kicks off Friday and will continue the first weekend of every month, 6 p.m.-2 a.m., from January-June. Stops include 5 Points, Park & King, Shoppes of Avondale, Brewery District and St. Johns Village. There's also a mobile app showing the route and real-time location of trolleys. More info at RiversideAvondaleNightTrolley.com.
Saturday, January 4 — Friends of Jacksonville Animals' New Year New Pet Extravaganza from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Animal Care and Protective Services on Forest St. will feature certified pre-owned pets with discounts on 2013 models. Adoption fee includes microchip, spaying or neutering, and vaccination. More info on the Friends of Jacksonville Animals website and on Facebook.
Saturday, January 4 — Bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding makes its debut in Jax as the Professional Roughtock Series' top bull and bronco riders present the Jacksonville Open.
The lineup of equine and bovine athletes slated is equally impressive, featuring numerous National Finals Rodeo qualifying stock contractors and some of the most feared animals in the sport. The action starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Tickets available on Ticketmaster.
Saturday, January 4 — Philadanco Dance Company, known for innovation, creativity and mostly African-American traditions in dance, performs 7:30 p.m. at Flagler College’s Lewis Auditorium, St. Augustine. Info and tickets at EmmaConcerts.com.
Saturday, January 4 — The Great Urban Core Scavenger Hunt, part of Community First Saturdays, starts at 11 a.m. Teams of 2-4 participants will meet at Jacksonville Jaguars International Plaza at Ocean and Bay St. There will also be food trucks, live music, Zumba, tai-chi, bike valet, and free skyway rides. More info at the Community First Saturdays blog.
You can see more weekend events at Kerry Speckman's "The Specktator" Facebook page.
Remember to tune in to First Coast Connect Thursdays at around 9:50 a.m. to hear 'Around Town' with Jacksonville Magazine's Kerry Speckman for a preview of upcoming weekend events.
