Happy 200th Birthday to Nassau County!

Established on December 29, 1824, Nassau County boasts a unique history and culture. From historic Amelia Island, sandy beaches, and championship golf courses, to scenic rivers, green pastures, and majestic timberlands, Nassau County truly offers something for everyone.

Looking to the Future:
Like many Florida counties, Nassau County has experienced significant growth. While growth cannot be prevented, it's important that policies are in place for protecting and enhancing key areas of importance while accommodating future trends. Over the past 18 months, the Board of County Commissioners have worked tirelessly on the Nassau Vision 2050, a collaborative process involving local leaders, residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape the future of our community. This planning process and the resulting policies will be critical for the ability to promote and manage growth.

"All Voices, One Vision"
The BOCC is excited about the progress that has been made so far with the Nassau Vision 2050 initiative and looks forward to implementing future policy based on the collective feedback of Nassau County residents.

Nassau Vision 2050 efforts throughout 2024 included identifying what makes the community unique, establishing the vision of what Nassau County desires to become in the future, and providing the necessary baseline for updates to the County’s State-mandated Comprehensive Plan.

Community outreach efforts have included stakeholder interviews, community surveys, and 20 pop-up events around the County. In an effort to gain as much feedback as possible, the BOCC and Planning Staff have also been present at numerous large, community events throughout the year such as the Independence Day Celebration in Callahan, the Opening of the Beaches Event in Fernandina Beach, the County's Bicentennial Kick-off Event in Yulee, and County’s Annual Tree Lighting.

We look forward to wrapping up the Nassau Vision 2050 initiative and sharing the results with the community in early 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.nassaufl2050.com/

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer 

12/20/24 @ 3:00 p.m.

​The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) presented its final Nassau County Bicentennial Event, the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Thank you to all who joined, celebrating our community, and sharing your vision for the future of Nassau County at the Vision 2050 tent.

On behalf of the BOCC, we would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday season!

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

12/16/24 @ 12:30 p.m.

​Over two dozen performers will join the musical ensemble, Sonofarious, for Currents and Tides: A Musical Tribute to Our Waters on December 27 and 29 to recognize the Fernandina Beach and Nassau County Bicentennials, and celebrate the remarkable ocean, rivers, creeks and marshes that sustain them.

“With Currents and Tides, Sonofarious is delighted to shine a light on the incredible waterways that shaped our communities,” says Brenda Kayne, Sonofarious founder. “Without them, Amelia would not be known as the ‘Isle of Eight Flags’; Fernandina would not have become a prosperous shipping, shrimping and tourist hub; the St. Marys River basin would not be one of the most ecologically productive estuaries in North America; and Nassau County would not be among the fastest growing communities in Florida.”

Each Currents and Tides concert will feature classical and traditional songs, dance, original music and poetry. There will be reflections on Pogy watermen, Gullah Geechee culture and plenty of audience participation, Kayne says. Performers from the Amelia Island Dance Festival, Amelia Island Museum of History, and other artistic organizations will assure a lively, harmonious afternoon with fun for the whole family. In addition, attendees will find information from non-profit local groups that support our maritime environment and a special Currents and Tides Chapbook featuring poems by Fernandina native and poet, Kim Lewis.

Currents and Tides will take place December 27 and 29 at 3 PM, at Story and Song Center for Arts and Culture,1430 Park Avenue, Fernandina Beach. Proceeds will benefit the St. Marys Riverkeeper’s programs to protect and enrich the rivers, marshes, bays and streams that flow through Nassau County.  
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For tickets, stop by Story and Song Bookstore/Bistro, call 904-601-2118, or visit storyandsongarts.org/

12/3/24 @ 9:00 a.m. - Approximately 1,500 residents joined us on Friday, December 6, 2024 for the 3rd Annual Tree Lighting. This family-friendly event included holiday vendors, holiday performances by the Nassau Community Band and Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), train rides, Santa's village photo ops, food trucks, a kid's zone, roller skating, photos with Santa, and the lighting of the tree. This year's event also included a 10-minute fireworks display as we wrapped up our year of Bicentennial Celebrations. 

A big thank you to all of the vendors and performers for participating. We couldn't have done it without you! And congratulations to Nassau County Parks & Recreation for another successful event. We appreciate all of your hard work and efforts to bring events to the community. 

Last but not least, thank you to the hundreds of residents who stopped by our Vision Tent and participated in games and activities while providing input for Nassau County's future. Residents can still provide feedback by participating in the Growth Scenarios Survey. This survey was built upon the community building blocks identified from previous community engagement and surveys. One final preferred growth scenario will be created and included in the 2050 Vision Plan. This preferred scenario will inform updates to the Future Land Use Map and the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Learn more here. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

CITIZENS URGED TO TAKE LATEST SURVEY ON GROWTH SCENARIOS

As previously announced, the County is in the final stages of collecting input from the community as we prepare for amendments to the County's Comprehensive Plan for the Vision 2050 initiative. This planning process and the resulting policies will be critical for the ability to promote and manage growth as well as protect and enhance key areas of importance while accommodating future trends.
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Information collected thus far led to the establishment of community building blocks, a framework to achieve the community identified goals. The information collected has also led to creation of 3 different growth scenarios.
At this time, residents are urged to view the growth framework presentation and provide input on the 3 growth scenarios. One final preferred growth scenario will be created and included in the Nassau Vision 2050 plan. This preferred scenario will inform updates to the County's Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and the Future Land Use Element of the County's state-mandated Comprehensive Plan.

To watch the growth scenarios presentation, please click here: https://www.thecountyinsider.com/.../24700962/online_ppt.pdf

Following the presentation, you can complete the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nassaugrowthscenarios
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This is one last opportunity to ensure your voice is heard as we prepare for the next 25 years. All information about the Vision 2050 initiative can be found at: https://www.nassaufl2050.com/.

12/6/24 @ 1:25 p.m.

Below are some of the pre-decorated trees that will be available to win tonight. Stop by the holiday-themed Nassau Vision 2050 tent and provide feedback on Nassau County’s future, play fun games, and earn two tickets. Use those tickets to vote for your favorite tree in Santa's Village and have a chance to win one.

A big thank you to the community organizations and County departments who donated supplies and their time to decorate trees for the event.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) invites you to a festive evening of joy and wonder at the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Robert M. Foster Justice Center (76347 Veterans Way) in Yulee.

This FREE, family-friendly event is filled with holiday cheer! Get ready for holiday performances by the Nassau Community Band and the Royal Amelia Dance Academy. We’ll also have activities for all ages and interests, including a Holiday Vendor Market, Train Rides, Santa Village's Photo Ops, Food Trucks, a Kids Zone, and of course the tree lighting. Did we also mention that there will be FIREWORKS?

The tree will be lit at 7:00 p.m. sharp with fireworks immediately after.

Be sure to visit the holiday-themed Nassau Vision 2050 tent and provide feedback on Nassau County’s future, play fun games and earn tickets with a chance to take home a pre-decorated tree.

12/5/24 @ 1:45 pm..

​Below is a list of food vendors that will be available to serve you at the Tree Lighting. They are as follows:

- Beyond Horizons
- Philly Boyz Cheesesteaks
- Raphael's Pizza Truck
- Sup Dawg Hot Dogs
- Cloud Crunch Cotton Candy Bar (will also be serving hot cocoa and coffee)
- King of Pops

What: Third Annual Tree Lighting
When: Friday, December 6, 2024 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. (tree lights at 7pm sharp!)
Where: Robert M. Foster Justice Center, 76347 Veterans Way, Yulee, FL 32097

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

12/5/24 @ 11:00 a.m. 

We have some great vendors lined up to serve you at the Tree Lighting Friday night, each with a variety of unique items. Come celebrate the holiday season with us and find gifts for those important people on your list!




1. Jax Wax - Wax melts & children's play dough bar
2. Artsy Creations By Alyssa - tumbler cups
3. LMK designs - Kids and adult jewelry
4. Scentsy by Suni - Disney themed Christmas wax warmers and smell sensory bears
5. Karma Krystal - all kids themed. Pokemon, and tinker bell, grinch, Christmas trees, Santa
6. Tripple Tee's and more - Children and adult tshirts
7. Many Macrons - Macrons that you eat
8. Lil Miss Dama Drama - Children's grinch and Christmas clothes
9. Crochet Queens - Crochet stuffed animals
10. Sugar Mama Candy Shop - Freeze dried candy
11. Doris & Eris – Sour dough baked goods
12. Rustic Remakes – Flannels
13. BKN Creations – Glitter Bar
14. Feely Felties – Build your own book
15. Sweet Home Shenanigans – Paint at home wooden creations
16. Sewing Mama Bear – Sewn stuffed animals
17. Emmie snow Boutique – arts, crafts, clothing
18. Nassau Clerk’s Office – Holiday cookbooks
19. Greater Nassau Rotary Club – Information/Raffle
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What: Third Annual Tree Lighting
When: Friday, December 6, 2024 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. (tree lights at 7pm sharp!)
Where: Robert M. Foster Justice Center, 76347 Veterans Way, Yulee, FL 32097

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer