ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Clay County will have at least 12 major events happening in different parts of the county on Saturday, Sheriff Michelle Cook announced at a Tuesday morning news conference.
“Clay County is knee-deep into the holiday spirit and holiday festivities,” Cook said. “This is the first time in recent history that we’ve had so many big events with so many road closures and traffic delays occurring on one day. We want to make sure our community is prepared for it.”
Cook said the Sheriff’s Office would have more than 150 personnel -- both uniformed and undercover deputies -- out working to patrol the large-scale holiday events. The Sheriff’s Office headquarters in Green Cove Springs will serve as the command post on Saturday, where a team will be monitoring traffic cameras and radio frequencies from all the events, Cook said.
“We expect very large crowds at all of these events, both Clay County citizens who are going to be enjoying the events but also people coming in from out of the county,” Cook said. “Our goal is to ensure the safety and security of all the attendees while they’re at these festivities.”
Cook said that despite the focus on the big events, regular calls for service will still be answered promptly this weekend.
The events on Saturday include four separate Christmas parades in Keystone Heights, Oakleaf, Middleburg and Penney Farms. There is also a lighted boat parade scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Whitey’s Fish Camp.
Cook pointed out that the weather on Saturday is forecast to be “spectacular” for the many outdoor events with no rain expected and a high of 77 degrees.
Cook said that starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, residents should expect traffic delays around State Road 16 and County Road 218 from the Penney Farms parade. The parade will be confined to the community.
College Drive could see traffic delays around noon Saturday for a performance of The Nutcracker by the Florida Ballet at the Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park.
A Country Christmas begins at noon Saturday at Elrod Acres in Green Cove Springs and could cause traffic delays on SR 16 near Thunder Road. The event includes a live nativity, more than 75 vendors, classic cars, live music, food trucks, a petting zoo and more.
“That Highway 16 area near Penney Farms, we expect a lot of traffic out there,” Cook said.
The Circus Delman will be at the Orange Park Mall from about 4:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, and Cook warned of traffic delays near Wells Road and Blanding Boulevard.
The Hometown Holiday in the Park at Clarke House Park runs from 5-9 p.m. Saturday with a shopping village, hay rides, live entertainment and more. Cook said to expect traffic delays on Kingsley Avenue.
The Journey to the Nativity at River Christian Church, which Cook says typically draws a very large crowd, runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday at 5900 U.S. 17 on Fleming Island. Heavy traffic should be expected on U.S. 17 in the Fleming Island area, Cook said.
The Spring Park Parade of Trees continues in Green Cove Springs from sunset to 10 p.m. daily. Cook said to expect potential traffic delays in the evening in Green Cove Springs on North Orange Avenue.
The inaugural Oakleaf Christmas Parade will start at 6 p.m. Saturday at Oakleaf Baptist Church. Residents should expect road closures and traffic delays on Plantation Parkway and Plantation Oaks Boulevard. Cook said several neighborhoods, including The Preserve, Cambridge, Millstone Village Condominiums, Coventry, Briar Oaks, Whitfield and Willowbrook, will be closed to access briefly as the parade goes by Saturday.
The Kiwanis Christmas Parade at Keystone Heights also starts at 6 p.m. Saturday and will run downtown along Lawrence Boulevard (State Road 21), starting at Southwest Pecan Street and South Lawrence Boulevard. Cook said to expect heavy traffic on Pecan Street and State Road 21.
Cook said residents should also expect very heavy traffic on County Road 220 near Swimming Pen Creek on Fleming Island for the Whitey’s Lighted Boat Parade, which benefits the Safe Animal Shelter.
The Christmas Lights Spectacular at Snicktaw Farms continues this weekend starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2579 Russell Road in Green Cove Springs. Cook said to expect traffic delays on Russell and Sandridge roads.
The Middleburg Christmas Parade is always well-attended in Clay County, Cook said. The parade starts at 7 p.m. at Omega Park on County Road 218. Cook said to expect very heavy traffic on Blanding Boulevard and CR 218, which will be partially shut down during the parade.
Cook encouraged residents to download Clay County’s free Safer Watch app for real-time notifications and updates on road closures. The app also allows users to report crimes or suspicious activity.
“The Safer Watch app will be the primary tool for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to communicate important real-time information on activities, detours and road closures,” Cook said. “We will use Safer Watch all day throughout the day Saturday to keep the community updated on what’s happening.”
Cook said the county does plan to have conversations moving forward about finding ways to spread out major events around the holidays.