The Orange Crush festival is coming to Jacksonville Beach this summer after relocating from its longtime home on Georgia’s Tybee Island near Savannah.
The festival has historically attracted a predominantly Black, college-aged crowd and features tailgating, pool parties, and a car and motorcycle show. During its years at Tybee Island, Orange Crush drew criticism for heavy drinking, and arrests related to guns and drugs. But event organizers said on Facebook they left Tybee Island because of limited parking as well as “civil rights violations and political injustices.”
Jacksonville Beach Mayor Chris Hoffman told The Florida Times Union that no permits have been issued for the festival, but as long as no admission fees are charged, anyone is free to put on an event on the beach.
Open containers are not allowed on Jacksonville Beach.
The event is scheduled for June 18 to June 20, in celebration of the emancipation holiday Juneteenth.
Contact Sydney Boles at sboles@wjct.org, or on Twitter at @sydneyboles.
