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⭐Your Weekend Is Packed - Celtic Festival, Jeep Beach, and a School Relocation Debate

Issue #895

17 Apr

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Ormond Mainstreet

⭐⭐If you're looking for something to do this weekend, you have no excuse. The 15th Annual Ormond Beach Celtic Festival takes over Rockefeller Gardens at 26 Riverside Drive this Saturday and Sunday — 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Now drawing over 10,000 visitors each year, the festival spreads across two riverfront parks, with five stages of continuous music, a Highland Games competition sanctioned by the North American Scottish Games Athletics organization, a Clan Village, Celtic food and craft vendors, plenty of Guinness, and on Sunday, a dog parade benefiting Halifax Humane Society. The Highland Games have been expanded to two full days this year, with more than 60 athletes competing across all nine classic events including the caber toss. Kids 12 and under get in free. Adults pay $12 in advance or $15 at the gate. Free parking is available at Ormond Beach City Hall with shuttle service. Tickets and details at ormondbeachmainstreet.com.

✦

🚙Also launching Friday: Jeep Beach 2026, one of the largest Jeep-only events in the country, running April 17–26 across Daytona Beach and surrounding areas. The ten-day stretch builds toward a main event at Daytona International Speedway on April 24–25, but the calendar between now and then is full. A highlight worth noting: the event has raised more than $5 million for local causes since its founding, with veteran support and suicide prevention among its signature focuses. The March to Stop Suicide on April 19 at the Speedway runs 98 minutes and 8 seconds — a deliberate nod to the 988 crisis line — and is open to the public. Here's the weekend rundown:

Jeep Beach 2026 — key events

Friday, April 17 — Kickoff Concert, 7 p.m.
MetroHealth Stadium at Pictona, 1060 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill. Are Friends Electric performing. Tickets from $15 at hollyhillevents.org. 50% of proceeds to Jeep Beach charities.

Saturday, April 18 — Beach Bike Bar Crawl, 9 a.m.
Starts at 127 S. Ocean Ave., Daytona Beach. Benefits Veterans Support Fund. Register at oceandeck.com.

Saturday, April 18 — Spring Break Reggae Festival, noon–11:30 p.m.
The Pavilion at Destination Daytona, 1651 N. U.S. Hwy 1, Ormond Beach. Third World headlining. Tickets from $64.78.

Sunday, April 19 — March to Stop Suicide, 7:15 a.m.
Daytona International Speedway. 98-minute march supporting suicide prevention and the 988 Crisis Lifeline. Registration $98.80 at racetostopsuicide.com.

Sunday, April 19 — Jeep Beach 5K, 5 p.m.
Hard Rock Hotel, 918 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. Out-and-back beach run. Proceeds to Jeep Beach Charities.

Friday–Saturday, April 24–25 — Main Event
Daytona International Speedway, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vendor show, obstacle course, and Jeep Beach Village. Full schedule at jeepbeach.com.

✦

🚌Volusia County Schools is weighing a proposal to move Riverview Learning Center — an alternative K-12 program serving students with emotional and behavioral needs — from its current Ormond Beach location to Holly Hill School. The driver is cost: maintaining the current Osceola Avenue building runs about $3 million a year. Holly Hill's city manager has pushed back, arguing that placing an alternative program on the grounds of the city's only elementary school sends the wrong signal regardless of the students' actual circumstances. Misinformation about the program — including, reportedly, descriptions of students as delinquents in jumpsuits — has inflamed the conversation before it could get properly started. Superintendent Balgobin says the district is committed to working with city leadership and that the school's own principal has been receptive. Nothing has been decided. But the path to a resolution, given the noise already surrounding it, looks like a long one.

Sources
"15th Annual Ormond Beach Celtic Festival" — Ormond Mainstreet, April 2026
"Jeep Beach rolls into town" — HomeTown News, April 2026
"Volusia County Schools is considering relocating alternative program from Ormond to Holly Hill" — Ormond Observer, April 16, 2026

Recent Arrests

No reported arrests for Ormond Police Department

Holly Hill Police Department

  • Lee Raymond Anderson, 62, Holly Hill — arrested April 6; battery, second offense. Bail $1,000.

  • Ariel Marie Pickens, 28, Holly Hill — arrested April 9; child abuse. Bail $1,500.

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

  • James A. Monahan, 32, Holly Hill — arrested April 5; possession of cocaine and felony petit theft. Bail not set.

  • Jonathan Robertson, 41, Holly Hill — arrested April 9; child abuse. Bail $3,500.

  • Amber Lynn Mitchell, 31, Holly Hill — arrested April 6; principal to attempted burglary of an occupied dwelling. Bail $5,000.

  • Burwell E. Noyes, 41, Ormond Beach — arrested April 8; possession of controlled substance without prescription, possession of paraphernalia, and resisting an officer without violence. Bail $3,500.

  • Elizabeth Deanna Evans, 35, Holly Hill — arrested April 9; possession of controlled substance without prescription and possession of paraphernalia. Bail not set.

NOTE: This report lists arrests only, not convictions. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Fire and EMS Calls

All transcripts, headlines, and summaries are automatically generated by AI from live dispatch audio. These alerts are not an official report. Alerts are based on unconfirmed dispatch communications that may change as situations develop. Review the original audio and verify details with official sources before relying on this information

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📅 Friday, April 17, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

🎸 Live Music & Social

  • Friday Night Live at Ormond Brewing

    • Kick off your weekend in the beer garden! Ormond Brewing Company is hosting live, local acoustic music to pair with their craft taps and visiting food trucks.

    • Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Brewing Company (301 Division Ave)

🌿 Parks & Relaxation

  • Sunset at Andy Romano Park

    • End your work week with a peaceful evening at the beach. Andy Romano Beachfront Park offers free parking, splash pads for the kids, and great pavilions to watch the sun go down over the Atlantic.

    • Time: Open until dusk

    • Location: Andy Romano Beachfront Park (839 S Atlantic Ave)

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Friday Night on the Courts @ Pictona

    • Start your weekend with some friendly competition! Pictona is buzzing on Friday evenings as locals hit the courts for open play and gather at The Kitchen for post-game food and drinks.

    • Time: Open daily (typically 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM)

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

🌮 Local Dining

  • Food Truck Friday at the Duck

    • Support local business and enjoy a laid-back Friday night. The Drunken Duck Brewing Company rolls into the weekend with local food trucks parked outside to pair with their excellent rotating tap list.

    • Time: Taproom opens at 4:00 PM

    • Location: Drunken Duck Brewing Company (101 2nd Street, Unit 401)

📍 Daytona Beach

🚙 Major Events & Festivals

  • Jeep Beach 2026 (Kickoff)

    • Get ready for an incredible week! Today officially kicks off one of the largest Jeep-exclusive events in the world. Thousands of Jeep enthusiasts are descending on Daytona Beach for ten days of family-friendly events, off-road vendor displays, and beachside meetups. Expect to see lots of custom rigs cruising down A1A!

    • Time: Events run daily through April 26 (Check the official Jeep Beach app for specific Friday meetups)

    • Location: Various locations throughout Daytona Beach and the Speedway

⚾ Sports & Family Fun

  • Daytona Tortugas vs. St. Lucie Mets

    • Take me out to the ballgame! Start your weekend with Minor League Baseball right on the river. Grab a hot dog and a cold drink, and cheer on the hometown Daytona Tortugas as they continue their home stand. Stick around after the final out for Friday Night Fireworks!

    • Time: First pitch at 6:35 PM

    • Location: Jackie Robinson Ballpark (105 E Orange Ave)

🛍️ Markets & Local Shopping

  • Riverfront Market

    • Kick off your Friday night in the heart of Downtown! The weekly Riverfront Market features up to 45 local vendors, live music, and a relaxed, waterfront atmosphere right across the street from the Riverfront Shops.

    • Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

    • Location: Riverfront Esplanade / Magnolia Ave (Downtown Daytona Beach)

🎶 Live Music & Entertainment

  • Friday Night Live: The Fire Rhythms Band

    • Turn up the heat at ONE DAYTONA! The Fire Rhythms Band brings global flavor, soaring guitar solos, and powerhouse vocals to Victory Circle. Enjoy this free, family-friendly outdoor concert under the lights!

    • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

    • Location: Victory Circle at ONE DAYTONA (1 Daytona Blvd)

📅Saturday, April 18, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

🍀 Cultural Festivals

  • Ormond Beach Celtic Festival

    • Saturate your senses in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Celtic heritage! This award-winning festival occupies two beachside parks along the Halifax River. Expect multiple live music stages, traditional Highland Games, a Clan Village, and plenty of Celtic food and drink.

    • Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Festival continues through Sunday)

    • Location: Rockefeller Gardens & The Casements (25 Riverside Dr)

    • Cost: $12 in advance / $15 at the gate (Children 12 & under are free)

🇯🇲 Live Music & Festivals

  • 15th Annual Spring Break Reggae Festival

    • Get ready for a massive day of island vibes! The Venue at Destination Daytona is hosting a nearly 12-hour reggae festival featuring fantastic live music, food, and great energy to kick off the spring season.

    • Time: 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM

    • Location: The Venue at Destination Daytona (1651 N US-1)

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Pickleball Dink N Drink Saturdays!

    • Get your weekend pickleball fix away from the festival crowds! Pictona hosts its weekly Saturday social featuring open play, music, food and drink specials, and raffle prizes.

    • Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

🌳 Parks & Recreation

  • Saturday on the Halifax River

    • Looking for a free, quiet afternoon away from the busy events in Ormond and Daytona? Sunrise Park offers plenty of shade, picnic tables, and beautiful riverfront views for a relaxing weekend outing.

    • Time: Open sunrise to sunset

    • Location: Sunrise Park (1135 Riverside Dr)

📍 Daytona Beach

🚙 Major Events & Festivals

  • Jeep Beach 2026 (Ongoing)

    • The county-wide Jeep takeover continues! Thousands of Jeep enthusiasts are gathering for the first weekend of this massive event. Expect off-road vendor displays, beachside meetups, and plenty of custom rigs cruising down A1A and around the Speedway.

    • Time: Events run daily (Check the official Jeep Beach app for Saturday's specific meetups)

    • Location: Various locations throughout Daytona Beach and the Speedway

🎈 Family & Kids

  • Daytona KidFest & Camp Fair

    • A completely free family event! This fair is loaded with resources, summer camp info, and free activities including face painting, balloon animals, inflatable axe throwing, family bingo, and character meet-and-greets.

    • Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

    • Location: Tanger Outlets Daytona Beach (1100 Cornerstone Blvd)

    • Cost: Free

⚾ Sports & Entertainment

  • Daytona Tortugas vs. St. Lucie Mets

    • Take me out to the ballgame! Grab a hot dog and a cold drink, and cheer on the hometown Daytona Tortugas as they play their Saturday night home game.

    • Time: First pitch at 6:35 PM

    • Location: Jackie Robinson Ballpark (105 E Orange Ave)

💃 Nightlife & Social

  • First Annual Prom Night: Take Two

    • Prom is back, and this time, there are no rules! This 90s-themed adult (21+) prom is built for people who want the magic without the awkwardness. Dress up, dance hard, and enjoy DJ-driven throwbacks, a complimentary glass of champagne, and a crowning of the Prom King & Queen.

    • Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

    • Location: The Shores Resort & Spa (2637 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores)

    • Cost: Starting at $32.57

NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info.

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