Ferry Fest Coming to Mayport Village
Business, civic and community leaders spearheading efforts to keep the historic St. Johns River Ferry in operation are inviting ferry fans far and wide to Ferry Fest. Saturday, August 25, from 1-9 p.m. at Mayport Village.
Ferry Fest is a way for residents and their families to enjoy a day-long, fun-filled celebration and at the same time raise awareness of the historic St. Johns River Ferry and its vital role to the community. Ferry Fest offers something for everyone including food trucks, musical entertainers, margaritas and beer/wine, a special kids’ area, and ghost-storyteller Larry King! In addition, attendees can sign petitions supporting the ferry.
“Ferry Fest is a way for local residents and their families to enjoy a day-long, fun-filled celebration and at the same time draw attention to the ferry’s wide popularity as both a vital transportation mode and a historical icon,” says Keep the Ferry task force member Elaine Brown.
The organization has been working hard to raise both funds and awareness of the ferry’s vital role, and Ferry Fest will allow individual citizens to demonstrate their support—in tandem with the City of Jacksonville and the cities of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. As U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Dist. 4) noted in a meeting with Keep the Ferry members, a large gathering of supporters can speak volumes policy-wise.
“One of the really great things about the ferry is the broad base of community support,” he said, “and the more supporters, the more attention the city gives it, the state gives it, and the federal government.” Crenshaw also renewed his commitment to helping secure federal funds for capital improvements to the ferry and the ferry slip. “I would really encourage people who want to keep the ferry to come out.”
Participating food trucks include: On the Fly, Driftwood BBQ, Brucci’s Pizza, Super Food Truck, Churroh’s, Up in Smoke, Healthy Italian Ice, and Wiki Wiki Shave Ice. “The ferry is a vital link in both the East Coast Greenway and a beautiful scenic highway. I encourage everyone to show their support by attending this fun event. Jacksonville shouldn’t become known as the place where Florida begins, but also the place where A1A ends,” says Jax Truckies founder Mike Field.
The St. Johns River Ferry service is a vital part of Northeast Florida's local transportation system, connecting State Road A1A between Heckscher Drive and Mayport Village. Discontinuing this service will have profound impacts on the First Coast's economic, transportation, and environmental interests. Funding from JaxPort, the Jacksonville City Council and the cities of Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach will allow the newly created St. Johns River Ferry Commission to take over ferry operations from JaxPort on October 1, 2012. Your support of Ferry Fest will help Friends of the St. Johns River Ferry Association (sponsors of the Keep the Ferry initiative) in its efforts to seek funding for the ferry’s long-term success.
For more information on Ferry Fest vendors, events, and parking visit: www.keeptheferry.org or e-mail info@keeptheferry.org.
“Ferry Fest is a way for local residents and their families to enjoy a day-long, fun-filled celebration and at the same time draw attention to the ferry’s wide popularity as both a vital transportation mode and a historical icon,” says Keep the Ferry task force member Elaine Brown.
The organization has been working hard to raise both funds and awareness of the ferry’s vital role, and Ferry Fest will allow individual citizens to demonstrate their support—in tandem with the City of Jacksonville and the cities of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. As U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Dist. 4) noted in a meeting with Keep the Ferry members, a large gathering of supporters can speak volumes policy-wise.
“One of the really great things about the ferry is the broad base of community support,” he said, “and the more supporters, the more attention the city gives it, the state gives it, and the federal government.” Crenshaw also renewed his commitment to helping secure federal funds for capital improvements to the ferry and the ferry slip. “I would really encourage people who want to keep the ferry to come out.”
Participating food trucks include: On the Fly, Driftwood BBQ, Brucci’s Pizza, Super Food Truck, Churroh’s, Up in Smoke, Healthy Italian Ice, and Wiki Wiki Shave Ice. “The ferry is a vital link in both the East Coast Greenway and a beautiful scenic highway. I encourage everyone to show their support by attending this fun event. Jacksonville shouldn’t become known as the place where Florida begins, but also the place where A1A ends,” says Jax Truckies founder Mike Field.
The St. Johns River Ferry service is a vital part of Northeast Florida's local transportation system, connecting State Road A1A between Heckscher Drive and Mayport Village. Discontinuing this service will have profound impacts on the First Coast's economic, transportation, and environmental interests. Funding from JaxPort, the Jacksonville City Council and the cities of Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach will allow the newly created St. Johns River Ferry Commission to take over ferry operations from JaxPort on October 1, 2012. Your support of Ferry Fest will help Friends of the St. Johns River Ferry Association (sponsors of the Keep the Ferry initiative) in its efforts to seek funding for the ferry’s long-term success.
For more information on Ferry Fest vendors, events, and parking visit: www.keeptheferry.org or e-mail info@keeptheferry.org.