Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Underway

With the school year quickly approaching, Florida’s families can save money now through Sunday, Aug. 7, on back-to-school related purchases during the state’s sales tax holiday. The following items are exempt from sales tax:

School supplies under $50 per item
Clothing, footwear and accessories under $100 per item
Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles under $30 per item
Computers and related accessories for noncommercial home or personal use under $1,500

There are two other tax-free holidays that overlap with this time period. Children's diapers, baby and toddler clothing, and footwear are tax-free until June 30, 2023.

Children's books will not have sales tax included with their purchase price through Aug. 14.

The Florida Legislature approved 10 tax relief holidays during their regular session.

Fishing section of Daytona Beach Pier reopens

Showtime in the Parks kicks off Friday night at Derbyshire Park

Bring your family and friends to Derbyshire Park Friday night for a free showing of the new “Cinderella” movie starring Camila Cabello. In this modern musical retelling of the classic story, Cinderella is a poor yet ambitious orphan who dreams of meeting the prince, Robert. Unfortunately for her, her evil stepmother and stepsisters are intent on preventing that from happening. When all hope seems lost, her Fairy Godmother comes into the picture and makes her dream come true. The gates at the park will open at 7:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy games and activities, a DJ and free hotdogs, drinks, popcorn and candy. The movie will begin at 8:30 p.m. Guests should bring lawn chairs and blankets. Derbyshire Park is at 849 Derbyshire Road.

In August, Showtime in the Parks will be at Suburbia Park at 700 Heineman St. Enjoy a showing of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” starring LeBron James Friday, Aug. 12. When LeBron and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life, that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. The ready-for-action Tunes destroy convention, supercharge their unique talents and surprise even “King” James by playing the game their own way. The gates at the park will open at 7:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy games and activities, a DJ and free hotdogs, drinks, popcorn and candy. The movie will begin at 8:30 p.m. Guests should bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Zone 5 City Commissioner Dannette Henry is sponsoring the Showtime in the Parks events.

Join us for National Night Out Tuesday

Being part of our community is a mission Daytona Beach’s Police and Fire departments take seriously. One way our public safety personnel introduce themselves to citizens is through an annual event known as National Night Out. Join the fun from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Derbyshire Park at 849 Derbyshire Road. Participants can enjoy free food (while supplies last), music, games, vendors and crime prevention and safety displays.

City hosts Football Kickoff Party Aug. 20

Bring your family and friends to Daytona Stadium Saturday, Aug. 20, to help kick off the football season! Fans can enjoy a variety of activities from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. including performances by local school marching bands, cheerleaders and mascots as well as free country, rock and pop music concerts. There will also be a punt, pass and kick contest for youth ages 6-15. Tailgating spots are available for $10 per car and $20 per RV, register online. Outside food will be allowed in tailgating area only. Concessions will be available, and admission is free. For more information, call (386) 671-8268. The Football Kickoff Party is sponsored by Tanger Outlets and OneDaytona.

Tickets on sale Friday to see ZZ Top at Peabody Auditorium

Looking for members to serve on Public Arts Advisory Board

The city is looking for qualified volunteers to serve on its newly established Public Arts Advisory Board. The board will make recommendations to the City Commission regarding the creation and implementation of policies to promote public art in the city.

Interested board members should live, work or own property or a business in Daytona Beach and at least four members must be a professional artist, architect, landscape architect, urban planner, engineer or have advanced training/education in the arts. The city is also looking for residents to serve on other advisory boards.

Free summer concerts continue at the Bandshell

Enjoy music by the ocean at this weekend’s free concerts at the Daytona Beach Oceanfront Bandshell.

Friday night there will be performances by “Love Alive & Fire and Ice,” which are Heart and Pat Benatar tributes bands. Love Alive is a top-tier tribute act based in Tampa Bay. No other tribute act can bring the iconic rock hits of Ann and Nancy Wilson and Heart to life like Love Alive. Like Heart, Love Alive is fronted by two extraordinarily talented ladies. Keturah is one of the very few people on the planet who can do justice to Ann Wilson’s soaring, explosive vocals, and JD faithfully executes the near-impossible tasks required to recreate Nancy Wilson’s lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitar work and signature moves onstage. Fire and Ice is a five-member band, which will be sure to wow the audience with all of your favorite Pat Benatar songs.

Saturday night, the Friends of the Bandshell present “Absolute Queen & Ultimate Def Leppard,” which are Queen and Def Leppard tribute bands. Absolute Queen has spent hundreds of hours in the studio studying Queen's many layered harmony vocals and instrumentation to bring you the most authentic sounding Queen Live experience. The show is more than just a Queen Tribute band, the music and stage production will blow you away! Martyn our "Freddie" from Wales, UK, has toured throughout Europe in a famed Queen Tribute show for years. He has had the pleasure of sharing stages with both Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen and performed at many Queen International Fan Club Events.

Ultimate Def Leppard brings you a show like no other. The artists have spent literally over 1,000 hours in the studio recreating the multi-layered vocal harmonies, and with that plus amazing live vocal and the incredible stage production involved, you get the closest thing to the original album versions as possible. Fireworks will follow the Saturday night concert at 9:45 p.m.

All concerts start at 7:15 p.m. There will be food trucks and vendors on site. The Bandshell summer concerts are free to the public with the option to purchase VIP seats for $10 plus applicable surcharges. Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs to the concerts or purchase VIP tickets, which include a seat. VIP tickets are available for purchase online or between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Peabody Box Office at 600 Auditorium Blvd.