Full Edition: May 4, 2026

the

Island Brief

Amelia Island • Nassau County • First Coast

Good morning, Nassau County! The streets are quiet this morning after three days that drew an estimated 150,000 people to a stretch of Centre Street about a mile long. Centre is being swept clean as you read this, and the rest of us are easing back into a normal week. We've got the post-festival recap, a brand new mayoral race to watch, a long-awaited reopening on the island's south end, and a stretch of beach weather coming Wednesday and Thursday before showers move back in Friday.

Fernandina ☀️ 75°/57°

Yulee ☀️ 76°/58°

Callahan ☀️ 77°/57°

Hilliard ☀️ 77°/56°

📰	Top Stories

The 61st Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival wrapped Sunday after three days that organizers expected to draw around 150,000 visitors to historic downtown. Thursday's kickoff parade ran 90 minutes with 100 units carrying this year's "Stars and Shrimps Forever" theme, tied to America's 250th birthday. Friday night swapped out the traditional fireworks for the festival's first-ever drone show, a 17-minute, 400-drone display by LunaLite over the Amelia River, after the fireworks permit was withdrawn under the county burn ban. Sunday closed the way it always does, with the Blessing of the Fleet at the marina and The Swingin' Medallions on the riverfront stage.

Read More → Jacksonville Today

Commissioner Genece Minshew filed paperwork last week to run for mayor in the November election, City Clerk Caroline Best confirmed. The move comes weeks after a citizen-led recall effort against Minshew over her paid parking vote was halted by a Nassau County circuit judge, who ruled the petition language did not meet Florida's legal standard. Under the Fernandina Beach charter, the mayor is elected from among sitting commissioners not also up for reelection to their seats; the deadline for fellow commissioners Tim Poynter or Joyce Tuten to file for the same office is May 15. The mayor and vice mayor serve two-year terms, with the runner-up automatically named vice mayor.

Read More → Fernandina Observer

The Fernandina Beach City Commission meets tomorrow night at 6 PM in City Hall, with the next paid parking financial report among the items on watch. Gross revenue from the program hit $461,534 through April 21, with April hourly transactions running well ahead of March's pace. The May report will look different: the city suspended paid parking from Thursday April 30 at 5 PM through Sunday at 8 PM to accommodate Shrimp Festival. With the August 18 referendum on the calendar, every monthly data point between now and then is part of the case voters will weigh.

Read More → Fernandina Observer

After roughly six weeks of closure for utility relocation, Buccaneer Trail reopened to two-way traffic Thursday at 8 AM, restoring the east-west connection that south-end commuters rely on. Phase 2 of the Amelia Island Parkway roundabout project continues, and the Parkway itself stays closed between Buccaneer Trail and South Fletcher Avenue until July, with weekly project updates expected as work moves toward the roundabout's final phase. The reopening should ease the worst of the south-end congestion, but the Parkway closure means the Sadler Road and Simmons Road detours stay in play for the rest of the spring.

Read More → Fernandina Observer

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📍	Around Nassau County

➤	Nassau County: The county-wide burn ban remains in effect after the BOCC extended it again at last Monday's meeting. It's reviewed and renewed weekly. (More)

➤	Fernandina Beach: The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival hosts the inaugural Marasco Young Artists Concert this Saturday May 9 at 5 PM at Memorial United Methodist Church. About 30 local students, ages 9 to 26, perform. Free admission. (More)

➤	Fernandina Beach: Save the date for the annual Fernandina Beach Preservation Awards on Tuesday May 12, 5 to 7 PM. The Main Street and city ceremony recognizes the year's standout historic preservation work. (More)

➤	Fernandina Beach: 🎭 Amelia Musical Playhouse opens "Grease" Thursday May 7 with a two-week run through May 24. Tickets are $25 adult, $15 student. Some performances are filling fast. (More)

➤	Downtown: 🎷 Mark your calendar: Sounds on Centre returns Friday June 5 with Mojo Roux on the Centre Street stage, 6 to 8 PM. Free, family-friendly, and the next first-Friday concert in the season. (More)

🗓️	This Week on the Island

Tue 5

Fernandina Beach City Commission City Hall, 204 Ash Street • 6:00 PM • First-Tuesday regular meeting

Thu 7

"Grease" Opens at Amelia Musical Playhouse 1955 Island Walkway • 7:30 PM • Opening night of the two-week run

Sat 9

Farmers Markets & Marasco Young Artists Concert Downtown & Wildlight markets, 9 AM–1 PM • AICMF concert at Memorial UMC, 5 PM, free

Sun 10

Mother's Day & "Grease" Matinee Brunch reservations going fast around the island • AMP matinee at 2:30 PM, almost sold out

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What was your favorite moment from this year's Shrimp Festival? The drone show, a parade entry that stuck with you, a perfect plate of food, an artist booth find. We want to hear it. Hit reply and let us know. We read every response.

How many drones did LunaLite fly in the festival's first-ever drone show on Friday night?

Answer: 400 drones, in a 17-minute choreographed show over the Amelia River.

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