Daily
Gainesville
Friday, May 1st, 2026
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 1st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Today the flower moon will shine at 1:23 p.m. EDT for Gainesville residents with nearly full views from April 30 through May 2 + the Eta Aquarids meteor shower will peak on May 4 in the early morning. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Today, the 11th annual Amazing Give fundraiser led by the Junior League of Gainesville opens at 8 a.m. and runs for 12 hours, aiming to raise $1.2 million for 120 local nonprofits. Residents can donate online to support community ties + assist neighbors in need. WCJB
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Clay Street Unit will bring an energetic newgrass concert at Heartwood Soundstage (619 S Main St) on Saturday, May 9. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the all-ages show begins at 7:00 p.m. Alachua Chronicle
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Gainesville native Tiffany Thames is honored by Florida Credit Union's Amazing Teacher program for her creative work at Howard Bishop Middle School (where she guides 15 students from sixth through eighth grade). Nominations for the program are now open. The Gainesville Sun
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Today, researchers confirmed that a rare Florida moth thought extinct was spotted in Ocala National Forest living in endangered scrub habitat; they have set traps at Seminole State Forest to study its ancient role in the ecosystem. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Today, a checklist with six steps helps Gainesville residents prepare for hurricane season by reviewing insurance policies, securing supplies, and checking evacuation zones ahead of the season’s start on June 1. The National Hurricane Center will begin daily tropical outlooks on May 15 — a vital update for staying informed. The Gainesville Sun
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ State health officials reported 149 measles cases in Florida as of April 25, including Alachua County (2 cases) where concerns are rising in Gainesville; the CDC warns further cases may appear as summer travel increases and vaccination rates remain low. The Gainesville Sun
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Florida Gators softball team wraps the season with a three-game series against the Georgia Bulldogs at Jack Turner Stadium. Game 1 ended on April 30, game 2 is today at 6 p.m., and game 3 is Saturday; a sweep may secure the SEC title and boost NCAA seeding. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Today, district softball title games featured strong performances as GHS edged Deltona 7-6 & Santa Fe rallied past Palatka. Branford, Trenton, Newberry, Trinity Catholic, Columbia, and Vanguard also posted wins in competitive matchups. WCJB
- ➤ Florida Gators coach Jon Sumrall has drawn top talent as early spring practices take off in Gainesville—recruiting reporters note that high-end commitments include a five-star offensive tackle and the state's leading quarterback in a competitive recruiting cycle. The Gainesville Sun
- ➤ Florida baseball will face Oklahoma in their first SEC series this weekend; Game 1 airs today at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network+ and Game 2 and Game 3 will stream on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. on SEC Network+. GatorSports
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Alachua County Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale
9 AM – 1 PM — Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center — Free entry — Discover over 6,000 Florida-friendly plants and get expert gardening advice.
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Florida’s Story as Told by Water
1-2 p.m. — Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park — Free entry — Discover Florida's narrative through water in a captivating presentation.
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Million Dollar Quartet Performance
7:00-9:30 p.m. — Hippodrome Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the musical retelling of the iconic recording session featuring Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
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Florida Gators vs. Kentucky Wildcats Baseball
12-1 p.m. — Condron Ballpark — Free giveaway — Wrap up the SEC series with Florida Gators baseball facing off against Kentucky Wildcats.
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81st Annual Newberry Watermelon Festival
9 AM – 4 PM — Newberry Watermelon Festival — Free entry — Enjoy family fun with games, crafts, and live entertainment while savoring delicious Florida Watermelon.
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North Central Florida Women in Blues Showcase
3-6 p.m. — Heartwood Soundstage — Celebrate the power of blues music with talented female artists in an engaging atmosphere.
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Our Town by Thornton Wilder
7:30 p.m. — Gainesville Community Playhouse — Ticket prices vary — Experience the Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece that explores the essential truths of life in a small town.
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Gainesville Speed Dating for Singles in Their 20s and 30s
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Tinker Restaurant — Ticket cost unknown — Connect with up to 12 local singles through engaging 6-minute dates.
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Ole 60 Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — Heartwood Soundstage — Tickets starting at $83 each — Enjoy a night of live music in Gainesville's vibrant venue.
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UF Short Course in Horticulture
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM — Straughn IFAS Extension Center — Registration fees apply — Explore emerging environmental challenges and innovative horticultural solutions.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.
~ Andrew Carnegie
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