Community First Saturdays Leaving Downtown

[thelakelander]

When Community First Saturday was introduced in August 2012, it was pitched as a three-year commitment to Downtown.

Wally Lee, who was president of JAX Chamber at the time, said the event would support one of the key components of Downtown development identified by the chamber: Bringing more festivals and events to the urban core.

"This is what progress looks like," Mayor Alvin Brown said then. "The goal is to bring people together to explore and enjoy Downtown."

Community First President and CEO John Hirabayashi said in 2012 the inaugural season was the first in a three-year commitment in Downtown.

Two years later, the festival is leaving its urban core base and will travel around North Florida.

"We get a lot of feedback," said Roger Rassman, Community First vice president of marketing. "One of the things we heard was that it would be nice if it was in different locations."

For the 2014 season opener Oct. 6, Community First Saturday will be in a corn maze at Sykes and Cooper Farms in Elkton, southwest of St. Augustine. The first 500 Community First members will be admitted free. General admission is $9.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=543907

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I'm not sure how I feel about this....

I didn't go every month, but was there regularly and enjoyed the vibe. 

What can they be trying to gain by taking a 'free' festival in a central location and moving it around the area AND charging an admission fee?

When I read things like:

"We get a lot of feedback," said Roger Rassman, Community First vice president of marketing. "One of the things we heard was that it would be nice if it was in different locations."

It sounds to me like it's the same people that said:

"One of the things we heard was that if the Jags draft Tebow then I'll buy season tickets."

And if anyone has forgotten the en masse turnout for the Tebow rally:

[NoahDavis]

And just why do we rely on an uncommitted bank to host a community festival? Shouldn't that duty be assigned to the community? I get it...they have  such a charmingly realavent name.

[Noone]

I attempted to participate from the waters edge one time in my kayak and it turned out to be a wake up call instead.