JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — What is set to be the largest event in Jacksonville Beach since the COVID-19 pandemic is happening this weekend, as more than 10,000 visitors are expected to attend the ninth annual Community First Seawalk Music Festival.
The festival usually happens in February, but it was pushed back to June because of COVID-19 concerns. Community First says this year's festival "aims to help North Florida musicians, artists, small businesses and food vendors affected by the pandemic."
The headliner Sunday night will be The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, a rock band made up of Middleburg natives.
The two-day festival is free and open to the public, but there are VIP premium passes available for purchase. Organizers posted Friday that the tickets are almost sold out.
There will also be about 50 local food and art vendors at the seawalk this weekend.
The Pie Daddy food truck is no stranger to the seawalk, as it’s been a vendor at the music festival for six years.
However, after a tough year, owner and Jacksonville local Andrea Davis was anxious to set up shop.
“We're super excited. It's been a long time waiting," Andrea explained. "I mean, this is our first time back at Jax Beach since last year.”
She and her husband Ed Davis had to completely shutdown their Trinidadian American Fusion business for nine months.
However, when music festivals recently made a come back, they were ready to get the truck back up and running. So, Andrea said they traveled to places as far as Texas.
“We did the Ubbi Dubbi Music Festival in Dallas. And that was really good. It was a two-day EDM festival," she said.
Lush Leaves, a new plant nursery business that actually blossomed during the pandemic out of Jen and Brandi Burnham's San Marco home, is looking forward to its first appearance at the festival.
“We opened a space in San Marco. We held that for six months, but really missed being out and about in the community," Jen explained. "So, we closed that in April, and decided to go totally mobile. And be out where we could actually see customers in all areas.“
Here’s what you need to know if you plan on attending the festival this weekend:
- It will take place at the Seawalk Pavilion, located at 100 1st Ave. N., from 12:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, and from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 13.
- The event will go on rain or shine.
- Public parking will be available.
- Vendors will offer several food options. Alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages can also be purchased at the festival.
- Guests may bring their own chairs, but umbrellas or EZ Up tents are not allowed.