JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – What began as a neighborhood block party has grown into one of Jacksonville’s largest community celebrations. The 11th annual Duval Day returns to Clanzel T. Brown Park in Northwest Jacksonville on Saturday, bringing together local artists, businesses and thousands of people to celebrate the city.
Organizers moved the event to Clanzel T. Brown Park last year after the city denied permits for its longtime home on Myrtle Avenue, saying the celebration had simply outgrown that space.
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Rapper and comedian Lil Duval said the change has given Duval Day more room to expand, and organizers say the new site has allowed the event to grow.
“It was actually great,” he said. “It was a blessing in disguise cause I really didn’t want to go over there cause I like to keep it authentic to what it’s started at, but I guess God wanted bigger plans so we moved over there and now we’re bigger and better.”
Attendees can expect a mix of a family reunion, cookout and concert, with an emphasis on Jacksonville talent from local artists to surprise guests.
“It’s just to see the economic power in our own community,” he said. “We don’t need other people we have our own stuff. That’s why even though I fund it, it’s really funded for everybody else to make money to keep the dollar circulating in our community and that dollar would grow big and hopefully that influenced the next generation.”
Because July temperatures in Florida can top 100 degrees, organizers will set up cooling areas and distribute water around the park so people can take breaks and return to the festivities.
Heat, not traffic, is the primary concern for public safety officials. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department urged attendees to stay hydrated, watch children closely, use crosswalks and follow directions from first responders if storms roll in.
“The biggest challenge this year is trying to figure out the heat,” he said.
JSO said about 120 personnel will be assigned to the event, including traffic, security and specialized units. Public parking is available at A. Philip Randolph Academy, and no road closures are planned.
JFRD said EMS, rescue trucks and foot and bike teams will be on site, with fire prevention and emergency preparedness resources available and extra resources ready if needed.
“[Duval Day] is going to stay here and it’s going to make us look great as a city,” he said.