Weekend Edition: April 4, 2026

the

Island Brief

Amelia Island • Nassau County • First Coast

Happy Saturday, Nassau County! On this day in 1513, Juan Ponce de León became the first European to officially set foot in Florida, claiming the land for Spain. He named it La Florida for the season of Easter, the Feast of Flowers. Our little island has been flying flags ever since. Grab your coffee, maybe some sunscreen. It's a gorgeous weekend ahead, and Easter's tomorrow. 🐣

Fernandina ☀️ 77°/63°

Yulee ☀️ 78°/62°

Callahan ☀️ 79°/61°

Hilliard ☀️ 80°/60°

🎉	This Weekend & Beyond

Apr 5

Easter Sunrise Service Main Beach Greenspace • 6:45 AM • Bring your own chair

Apr 5

Right Whales of Amelia Island — LAST DAY Amelia Island Museum of History • Exhibit closes April 5 • Don’t miss it

Apr 9

“Bye Bye Birdie” Opens at ACT Amelia Community Theatre, 207 Cedar St. • Runs through April 25

Apr 10

Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival Various island venues • April 10–11 • Nashville comes to the coast

Apr 11

Amelia River Waterfront Park Grand Opening 251 S. Front Street • 2:00–4:00 PM • Live music by the Honey Badgers + new pirate statue reveal

🍽️

Try This

If you haven't tried The Decantery for breakfast yet, this weekend's your excuse. Most people know it as the downtown wine-and-dessert spot with the velvet couches and vintage mirrors, but they've been quietly serving mornings too. Grab a window seat on Centre Street, order a proper espresso and one of their homemade pastries, and watch downtown Fernandina wake up. Nobody rushes you here. The butter cake has a devoted following for good reason. Come evening, the charcuterie boards and craft cocktails take over.

📍 117 Centre St, Fernandina Beach • Open Sat 8 AM–1 AM • thedecantery.com

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📰	In Case You Missed It

The former Winn-Dixie at Island Walk Shopping Center on South 14th Street reopened Thursday morning as an ALDI. Shoppers started showing up before the 8:45 AM ribbon-cutting, and longtime residents said the new store will change how they shop. ALDI runs a streamlined, lower-price model with a curated private-label selection. With a brand-new Publix also planned nearby for this fall, the South 14th Street grocery corridor is getting a serious upgrade.

Read More → Fernandina Observer

The legal fight over the recall of Fernandina Beach Commissioners Genece Minshew and Tim Poynter remains unresolved. Judge Marianne Aho heard arguments this week but did not issue a ruling. Attorneys for the commissioners say the recall petitions amount to political disagreement over the paid parking vote, not the kind of misconduct Florida law requires. The recall committee's attorney countered that the commissioners' handling of the parking ordinance constituted misfeasance and neglect of duty. Both commissioners have filed formal defense statements with the City Clerk, and a decision could come any day.

Read More → Fernandina Observer

If your drive to the south end of the island has felt longer lately, you're not imagining it. Phase 2 of the Buccaneer Trail and Amelia Island Parkway roundabout project is rerouting traffic along Simmons Road, adding about 1.5 miles to trips heading toward Peters Point, American Beach, and the Omni resort area. Crews are relocating water, gas, and electrical lines underneath the intersection, and the detour is expected to last through early May. The full roundabout project should wrap up by summer, making it Nassau County's eighth roundabout.

Read More → Amelia Island Living

What's your go-to Saturday morning spot on the island? Coffee shop? The beach? Farmers market? Your back porch? Hit reply and let us know. We read every response.

Amelia Island holds a unique distinction in American history. It's the only place in the U.S. to have been governed under how many different flags?

Tap to reveal the answer → (Eight! French, Spanish, British, Patriots, Green Cross, Mexican, Confederate, and United States)

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