Historically, The Jacksonville Landing has been a prime gathering spot for fans in town for the annual Florida-Georgia game.
But this year with the Landing shut down, and demolition fencing already up, the city is launching its inaugural Duuuval’s Bold City Bash, a host of events centered instead on the sports complex.
“The Bold City Bash will bring more people and excitement to Downtown Jacksonville and our sports and entertainment complex and demonstrates our steadfast commitment to keeping this long-standing tradition here in Jacksonville,” said Mayor Lenny Curry in an email to WJCT News.
Events this year are planned at Daily’s Place Flex Field and the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, and a block party Friday evening will be held along Adams Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard.
The concert headliner this year will be award-winning country star Brett Young.
Curry is calling this year’s events “bigger than ever.” The annual rivalry between the University of Florida Gators and the University of Georgia Bulldogs has been a Jacksonville tradition since 1933.
It will all start with the opening of RV City on Tuesday, Oct. 29. More than 100 RV’s will set up for the weekend. The Florida-Georgia Welcome Center will open on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Weekend festivities for Duuuval’s Bold City Bash will begin Friday, Nov. 1, with a Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon at the TIAA Bank West Club at noon.
Fans will also be able to visit an improved Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Exhibit at the Daily’s Place Flex Field at what's called the Duuuval’s Bold City Bash Fan Fare. The Fan Fare is free to the public and will open at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1.
The fan experience continues on Friday evening with the block party along Adams Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard, offering two stages with live music, giveaways, food trucks and a beer garden. The block party opens at 4 p.m. and is free to the public.
At 5:30 p.m. Friday, the gates at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville will open for the Gators vs. Dawgs Fall Exhibition Baseball Game. The first pitch will be at 6:30 p.m. Following the baseball game, the grounds will transform into the backdrop for Duuuval’s Bold City Bash Concert with headliner Brett Young. The concert will close with fireworks. Tickets for the Fall Exhibition Baseball game, concert and fireworks are $15 plus fees and will go on sale beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, game-day festivities at Daily’s Place Flex Field will culminate with the game itself. Gates to TIAA Bank Field will open at 1:30 p.m. and kickoff will be at 3:30 p.m.
Additional information about the Florida-Georgia game and the bash is available on the Florida-Georgia game website.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
