‘Gogh With Full Bellies’ hosted by Van Gogh exhibit
Now through Sunday, Feb. 26, families or groups can receive free admission for one party member to “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” in an effort to fight hunger locally.
To qualify, bring a bag of groceries to donate. Accepted items include nonperishable food and canned goods. All donations will go directly to Feeding Northeast Florida, the local arm of Feeding America. Donations must be unexpired in new, unopened packages. Nonperishable foods only. Suggested value is $20, but there is no minimum monetary value for donation.
“Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience,” produced by Paquin Entertainment Group, is in Jacksonville through April 16. This immersive experience features more than 300 of Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic artworks and takes the art lover into a three-dimensional world that exhilarates the senses.
The party’s paid ticket(s) must be purchased online in advance. Any paid ticket qualifies (including children’s tickets). The donation admits one guest (adult or child) for free.
The exhibit is at NoCo Center, 712 N. Hogan St., Jacksonville.
For more information, go to VanGoghJacksonville.com
Free showings of Jan. 6 documentary announced
A free showing of the Epoch Times documentary “The Real Story of Jan. 6” has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at Harvest Time Church of God, 4502 Old Middleburg Road, Jacksonville. For tickets, go to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nefloridaelectionteam/858316.
A second showing is set for 2 p.m. March 18 at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 225 East Duval St., Jacksonville. For tickets go to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nefloridaelectionteam/858396#.
This film is inappropriate for children, as it contains scenes of murder and violence.
For further information, email bethheath@reagan.com.
Conquer the Trails 5K set for Feb. 25
The 6th annual Conquer the Trails 5K has been rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 25. The event is open to the public. The road race starts at 9 a.m. in the TrailMark community in St. Johns County.
The race is professionally chip timed by Florida Race Day 5K. All participants get a race shirt (while supplies and sizes last.) All finishers get a 5K finishers medal. Awards will be given out to fastest male and female runners in eight following categories.
The charity partner is Fur Sisters – Furever Urs Rescue, a nonprofit organization that saves dogs from overcrowded shelters and other urgent situations.
Entry fees for the race are $30 for the first 50 to register, $35 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under.
To register for the 5K, go to runsignup.com/Race/FL/SaintAugustine/ConquertheTrails5kRace.
It will be held at 805 TrailMark Drive, St. Augustine. TrailMark is located five miles west of the I-95/International Golf Parkway exit 323 on Pacetti Road.
Visit Jacksonville earns certified autism center designation
Visit Jacksonville is Florida's first destination management organization to earn the Certified Autism Center designation. This designation, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, recognizes organizations that have undergone staff training to better understand and meet the needs of autistic visitors and their families.
Visit Jacksonville president and CEO Michael Corrigan welcomed the designation, saying, "We're proud to be the first destination marketing organization in the state of Florida to achieve the Certified Autism Center status, but we're most proud to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all who visit Jacksonville."
Visit Jacksonville operates three visitor centers: Jacksonville International Airport, Downtown Jacksonville at 100 N. Laura St., and the Beaches Museum in Jacksonville Beach, and also deploys a mobile visitor center that travels to various events statewide.
Equestrian Center welcomes Special Olympics Florida
The Jacksonville Equestrian Center, a multi-purpose facility managed by Northeast Florida Equestrian Society/ H.O.R.S.E. Therapies Inc., a nonprofit organization offering adaptive equine therapy programs with therapy horses, is hosting Special Olympics Florida for Equestrian Sports on March 5 for the first time since the pandemic. The qualifier will include equitation, working rail, pole bending and barrel racing events.
The Special Olympics Florida’s mission is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
