The new year is upon us and 2023 is already shaping up to be a busy year for residents and visitors of Clay County, Florida. From sporting events to local entertainment, local dining and the county’s largest outdoor festival where families can experience a getaway with local flavor and plenty of fun too.
Here’s a look at what’s already on tap for 2023 in Clay County, Florida!
Upcoming Events & Entertainment

The Clay County Agricultural Fair returns to the Clay County Fairgrounds March 30 through April 9 with a full lineup of excitement including special events, rides and national entertainment. Visitors can enjoy local livestock exhibitions and stroll through the popular Early Florida Village for a step back in time to the early days with live demonstrators dressed in period attire. This year’s national entertainment features a variety of genres from Ashley McBryde, Chris Janson, X Ambassadors, Casting Crowns and more.

In 2023, Clay County will work in partnership with Kayak Bass Fishing founder, Chad Hoover, and Airstream Ventures to host a season-long Kayak Bass Fishing tournament. Participants will not only participate in a culmination event, but can win prizes and qualify for some of the top purses ever awarded during the season. It will consist of a catch-photo-release contest where each competitor catches his or her own fish, takes a photo, and releases it. Dates of the event will run throughout 2023 culminating with the Pro Series event at the end of the year.

Returning to Clay County in 2023 is the MotoSurf Continental Cup at Lake Geneva in Keystone Heights. Last year’s event had competitors from Mexico, Canada, Great Britain, France, Italy and the United States. At 2022’s event, there were 400 spectators in attendance with the public having an opportunity to try motosurfing during select hours of the competition. The event was also broadcast nationally on CBS Sports this past July. Clay County has once again partnered with Airstream Ventures to produce this multi-day event.


New Businesses & Attractions!
Also in 2023, there’s plenty of ‘new’ excitement with the opening of new businesses and attractions for visitors and residents. Here’s a look at some new happenings in the area for the upcoming year:

Ice cream fans are excited to welcome Northeast Florida favorite, Dreamette, to Green Cove Springs in 2022. Open since 1948 in Jacksonville, Dreamette is expanding throughout the region with this being Clay County’s second location, since opening in Middleburg in 2020. Known for its large variety of shakes, sundaes and swirls, Dreamette is old-school with a walk-up window and cash-only sales. This new location located on Highway 17 near Governor’s Creek will be the first in the franchise to feature a drive-thru.

The newly opened Nakama Anime Bar is an Anime-themed karaoke bar by day and a 21 & up bar and lounge by evening. Home to unique specialty snacks, candies and instant noodles, the Nakima Bar features a wide selection of premium sake for guests. Choose from a Sake flight or ask the bartenders to create a specialty Sake cocktail as you sing along to top hits surrounded by anime scenes and décor. Private karaoke rooms and private gaming rooms are available for the rent by the hour.

The new WoodSpring Suites Jacksonville Orange Park is set to open in early January 2023. Located at 1539 Wells Road, this property was designed with the extended stay guest in mind with an in-suite kitchen, on-site laundry, fitness center and is pet-friendly. All rooms feature two-burner cooktop, microwave, sink and a refrigerator and freezer. While nightly rates are available, guests can enjoy extra savings by booking a week, month or even longer.

Ready to start planning a getaway to Clay County, Florida? Whether you choose to attend a festival, a sporting event or soak in some history – you’re sure to make memories to last a lifetime. So, get ready and start planning to explore our small towns and big passions during your time in the area. For more information on upcoming events in Clay County, please visit www.ExploreClay.com.