Changes to Luminaries

[Lucasjj]

From the Luminaria Facebook event page.

The parade and happenings that occur on St. Johns Avenue (and surrounding streets) has grown organically, and are not organized or sanctioned by RAP. In recent years, concerns have been raised about the safety, traffic, and public behavior; some of which violates both City and State laws.

As a community organization seeking to ensure a safe and enjoyable Luminaria evening for everyone, RAP has been meeting with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) to address concerns. These meetings resulted in the conclusion that in the interest of public safety there is no way to safely allow the parade on St. Johns Avenue to continue in violation of state and city laws.

Beginning this year, the JSO will increase enforcement in the neighborhood and will not allow the following:
• Individuals riding in the back of trucks or trailers (F.S.S. 316.2015)
• Littering - From a vehicle or from person ( F.S.S. 403.413)
• Riding ATVs on public roads
• Open containers of alcoholic beverages

Riverside Avondale Preservation invites the public to come out and enjoy Luminaria on December 20th. Those visiting are asked to be respectful of property owners and not litter or throw candy; and to operate their vehicles in a safe and legal manner. The historic district is very walkable and bike friendly, and residents and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of this. With the help from the residents and visitors alike, Luminaria will be a fun evening for all.

[Lucasjj]

Many commenters are not happy. I like the trucks/trailers/floats, but I could do without the candy throwing. I always bike the event which apparently grants someone license to pelt me with hard candy. I have no problem with throwing marshmallows but the hard candy is a dick move.

[camarocane]

I agree, but this still sucks! I was looking forward to the parade. I will still enjoy a nice night of biking around the neighborhood looking at the luminaries.

[mtraininjax]

The Luminaria event was never intended to be a barnyardesque bare your ass in public event. It has become this, as the JSO has done nothing, until this year, to crack down on people, outside of Riverside and Avondale (because you see soooo many trailers on a daily basis in Riverside Avondale), from acting like asses in the Bud Zone at a Jags game. At the rate it was going, someone was bound to get hurt, then sue the city (since this is not a RAP sponsored event) and then the whole event would go down the toilet.

Good for the JSO to crack down on the derelicts. Oh, and if you are biking, make sure your LIGHTS work on the front and back. It would really suck to get a ticket for failing to have the proper riding equipment.

I'll be that guy with the water hose to spray you down, should you think about launching candy towards me. 

[The_Choose_1]

The Luminaria event was never intended to be a barnyardesque bare your ass in public event. It has become this, as the JSO has done nothing, until this year, to crack down on people, outside of Riverside and Avondale (because you see soooo many trailers on a daily basis in Riverside Avondale), from acting like asses in the Bud Zone at a Jags game. At the rate it was going, someone was bound to get hurt, then sue the city (since this is not a RAP sponsored event) and then the whole event would go down the toilet.

Good for the JSO to crack down on the derelicts. Oh, and if you are biking, make sure your LIGHTS work on the front and back. It would really suck to get a ticket for failing to have the proper riding equipment.

I'll be that guy with the water hose to spray you down, should you think about launching candy towards me. 

"I'll be that guy with the water hose to spray you down, should you think about launching candy towards me.  " Your part of the problem you better be sure who you hit with the water hose bubba or assault charges could be filed on you!

[johnnyliar]

This is a shame. The event was tons of fun in years past.
Last year I played Christmas tunes from a trailer with a full band being towed by a truck with a fake snow machine.
I didn't see any "barnyardesque ass bearing" but, I guess that's what you get from a neighborhood that once believed Mellow Mushroom was the bringer of the apocalypse.

[Adam White]

This is a shame. The event was tons of fun in years past.
Last year I played Christmas tunes from a trailer with a full band being towed by a truck with a fake snow machine.
I didn't see any "barnyardesque ass bearing" but, I guess that's what you get from a neighborhood that once believed Mellow Mushroom was the bringer of the apocalypse.

A lot of this sounds like the dicks in RAP trying to keep "their" neighborhood "exclusive" or whatever. They are trying to keep the wrong kind of people out of Avondale. I've heard similar things from snobs I'm friends with on Facebook.

That's not to say there might not be issues - but it seems like RAP is overstepping, once again.

[Tacachale]

This event is a lot of fun, but it has gotten to be a bit of a mess. It's probably wise that JSO is going to step in on some of the more problematic behaviors.

[acme54321]

I've never been, but everything I hear about it sounds like it's pretty much become a shit show.  Looks like all JSO is doing is enforcing existing laws.  I don't really blame them.

[MEGATRON]

This is a shame. The event was tons of fun in years past.
Last year I played Christmas tunes from a trailer with a full band being towed by a truck with a fake snow machine.
I didn't see any "barnyardesque ass bearing" but, I guess that's what you get from a neighborhood that once believed Mellow Mushroom was the bringer of the apocalypse.

A lot of this sounds like the dicks in RAP trying to keep "their" neighborhood "exclusive" or whatever. They are trying to keep the wrong kind of people out of Avondale. I've heard similar things from snobs I'm friends with on Facebook.

That's not to say there might not be issues - but it seems like RAP is overstepping, once again.

Luminary used to be a lot of fun for the neighborhood (frankly, last year was the first year we did not even bother putting out luminaries as we were sick of supporting it).  I am sure there are many folks in the neighborhood that still enjoy it but many I talk with hate what it has become.  It's a mess.  We end up with trash throughout the neighborhood.  And, eventually, someone (probably a kid) will be seriously injured.  I am glad they are cracking down.

[Adam White]

This is a shame. The event was tons of fun in years past.
Last year I played Christmas tunes from a trailer with a full band being towed by a truck with a fake snow machine.
I didn't see any "barnyardesque ass bearing" but, I guess that's what you get from a neighborhood that once believed Mellow Mushroom was the bringer of the apocalypse.

A lot of this sounds like the dicks in RAP trying to keep "their" neighborhood "exclusive" or whatever. They are trying to keep the wrong kind of people out of Avondale. I've heard similar things from snobs I'm friends with on Facebook.

That's not to say there might not be issues - but it seems like RAP is overstepping, once again.

Luminary used to be a lot of fun for the neighborhood (frankly, last year was the first year we did not even bother putting out luminaries as we were sick of supporting it).  I am sure there are many folks in the neighborhood that still enjoy it but many I talk with hate what it has become.  It's a mess.  We end up with trash throughout the neighborhood.  And, eventually, someone (probably a kid) will be seriously injured.  I am glad they are cracking down.

Fair enough. It's weird to think it has become so big. I remember the first time I went (I think it was 1990) and it was quite restrained. Even the last time I did it - I was living on St Johns near Publix and put out luminaries - it was still pretty low-key. That was 2002, I think.

[The_Choose_1]

I've never been, but everything I hear about it sounds like it's pretty much become a shit show.  Looks like all JSO is doing is enforcing existing laws.  I don't really blame them.

Yes the jso officers are better off to be in full force at a Luminaries parade then to take control of the many shootings in the Jacksonville Florida area that happen nightly. Or will it be the Community Officers doing this job?

[acme54321]

Yes the jso officers are better off to be in full force at a Luminaries parade then to take control of the many shootings in the Jacksonville Florida area that happen nightly. Or will it be the Community Officers doing this job?

[Know Growth]

[quote

[/quote]

They are trying to keep the wrong kind of people out of Avondale. I've heard similar things from snobs I'm friends with on Facebook.

[/quote]

Yepper! I have barely managed to be included these past twenty years.

Indeed,the event was 'better' in the past. Like someone else has noted here,last year we did not even bother with putting Luminary out,and it was quite obvious many other neighbors were also so inclined.

One of the neatest things ever was a bike parade a couple of years ago. L O N G chain of bike riders.

[ChriswUfGator]

This is a shame. The event was tons of fun in years past.
Last year I played Christmas tunes from a trailer with a full band being towed by a truck with a fake snow machine.
I didn't see any "barnyardesque ass bearing" but, I guess that's what you get from a neighborhood that once believed Mellow Mushroom was the bringer of the apocalypse.

A lot of this sounds like the dicks in RAP trying to keep "their" neighborhood "exclusive" or whatever. They are trying to keep the wrong kind of people out of Avondale. I've heard similar things from snobs I'm friends with on Facebook.

That's not to say there might not be issues - but it seems like RAP is overstepping, once again.

The way things have been going lately with their stance on hassling restaurants, I'd be inclined to agree with you, except I can't on this one. It's gotten out of control. A couple years ago, some redneck riding in the back of a truck pelted me with jollyranchers when I drove by (top was down). That pissed me off bad enough (jollyranchers hurt when you throw them hard), but worse was finding jollyranchers halfway melted into the carpets in that car until I got rid of it. All around just a total dick move.

Last year walking down there, there were drunk idiots in a trailer being towed behind a truck, apparently got in a fight with somebody, they were yelling faggot, pussy, etc., at people on the sidewalk with kids around everywhere. That's also the year I noticed a bunch of the visitors, or whatever you want to call them, brought potato guns and super soakers that they'd shoot at you with from the back of the trucks/trailers. It's become christmas-themed paintball lately.

None of this behavior comes from the floats or the people I recognize that live here. It's people I don't recognize doing this stuff while riding in the backs of trucks. It really has gotten problematic the last few years. I don't go anymore.