Jacksonville is a sports crazy town!  The spring heats up with sports match-ups scheduled weekly.  Events are family-friendly and affordable.  Here’s a look at the spring highlights:

Let’s start by talking about the Jacksonville Suns.  We recently took my son to the season-opener and he had the best time!  The 2009 Southern League Champions play through September in the heart of Downtown’s Sports Complex at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.Tickets start at $6.50 for adults and $5 for kids with other great special deals and theme nights in the stadium. Tuesday nights feature Family Feast Night with ice cream, hot dogs and peanuts for 50 cents and Fridays are Family Fireworks Night with a spectacular light show following each game.  There is even more fun for families with a playground, bounce houses and other entertainment just beyond the outfield.  There is nearby seating, so you can keep one eye on the game while letting the kids run free. 

Just across the street at The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, the Jacksonville Sharks just started their season too, returning Arena Football to town after an eight-year hiatus.  There are eight more home games to catch and the energy level is high.  The constant action and crowd-pumping music keep kids and adults engaged and entertained.  Tickets start at just $10.  Games usually start late - 8 p.m., but are scheduled for Friday and Saturday - not a school night. 

And let’s not forget that Northeast Florida has the honor of hosting one of the PGA’s most-popular events.  THE PLAYERS Championship is home of the famed 17th green at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.  The lush, green rolling hills and steep inclines offer spectacular views of each hole, making this an incredible tournament to watch.  This year, the event takes place May 3-9, beginning with practice rounds on Monday.  On Wednesday, three-time GRAMMY award-winning country music artist Tim McGraw will help the tournament honor area military with a special musical appearance during Military Appreciation Day. Thursday, the competition heats up as Round 1 of tournament play begins, concluding Sunday.  A new youth policy makes the event even more attractive for families - children 18 years and younger are admitted free with one paying adult.  The final round on Sunday is on Mother’s Day and a family pass is only $99 (compared to $129 Thurs-Sat), so treat mom to something she won’t forget. 

Looking forward to the Jacksonville Jaguars season in the fall too!

For more events - sports and more - check out www.jaxeventcalendar.com.