JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There was plenty of great music to hear, food to eat and creators to see on the first full day of One Spark 2015.
It's the first time at the festival for a band called "The Dream Team." The group of friends from Jacksonville formed the band a month and a half ago, so One Spark is a big deal.
"This could jump start your career to a lot of different other avenues," Kelton Givens said. "I'm just really excited about it today."
The Dream Team is just one of more than 500 creators in 71 venues downtown, all using the first day to share their message with the thousands of people filling downtown Jacksonville.
From sky-high stilts to bright face paint and balloons, some people just stood out, including James Bullock.
IMAGES: One Spark opening ceremonies
He dressed as Capt. Francisco Menendez, leader of troops at Fort Mose, the first free black settlement in North America, located just miles away in St. Augustine.
"If I dressed like a contemporary person I would get lost in the crowd," Bullock said.
He and his partner are hoping to raise enough money at One Spark to produce a film about the historic landmark.
"At the very least, we hope to address the issue of how many people live in Jacksonville that had either never been there or never even heard of it," Bullock said.
Happy Acres Ranch used Midnight Sun, a miniature horse, to get people's attention.
The Jacksonville-based child care center and summer camp is hoping to raise enough money at One Spark to build a resident camp -- a goal they know they have to be proactive about achieving.
"It's important because there are a lot of creators and we are just one little booth, and we have a 6x8-foot square, so we got to get out and about and draw people to our booth," Katie Vatter said. "You can't just rely on having a solid booth. You've got to be able to get out amongst the people."
Teacher Dewitt Robinson said he learned that lesson at One Spark last year. That's why this year he's back with Flip Guys, hoping the bright colors will bring them closer to their goal of bringing technology into the classrooms where it's most needed.
"Once they really hear our message and realize the seriousness behind what we're trying to accomplish, help Mr. Robinson accomplish, they really open their eyes," said Simba Tsass.
For Will Reed, creator of the location-based social network Ivy, and a Jacksonville native, the excitement around One Spark is great to see.
"It's pretty amazing. I mean, I was born here, I've lived abroad, lived on the West Coast for a long time, so to come here and see this much energy in Jacksonville -- this is not the Jacksonville I remember," Reed said. "It's pretty cool."
In between sharing his message, Reed grabbed a bite at the Food Village.
The area is twice as big this year, spread out over four blocks and featuring 32 vendors from restaurants in San Marco, other Jacksonville eateries, and food trucks.
"I got some Mr. Softy ice cream -- chocolate with chocolate sprinkles, gotta have the sprinkles," Rhonda Fisher said. "It's delicious. I'm on my lunch break. Thought I'd come check things out and so I'm really enjoying this. This is awesome."
Whether it's eating ice cream or playing music. Many agree the festival is off to a great start.
"We've met so many different people, networked with so many different people, and it's just a good experience to come together and just have fun," Givens said.