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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.
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Noone
August 16, 2012, 04:10:27 AMLove the poster. Great marketing. Keep going Mike.
Dapperdan
August 16, 2012, 08:14:29 AMHere's an idea, move forward with the cruise termianl and use the money generated with that to keep the Ferry running.
thelakelander
August 16, 2012, 08:40:14 AMTo be honest, I always thought having a cruise ship terminal out there would be in the best interest of saving the ferry and what remains of Mayport in general. However, hasn't that ship already sailed?
mbwright
August 16, 2012, 08:57:23 AMIf having a cruise ship there, for short periods of time between trips, and people going there would ruin "Historic Mayport", wouldn't abandonment of the ferry and the town do the same thing?
thelakelander
August 16, 2012, 09:04:01 AMYes, but that argument won't land or generate the money needed to sustain the ferry's long term operations. Ultimately, you need an economic catalyst/destination on that waterfront that pulls more people into the area, putting more tires on the ferry and money into Mayport's remaining businesses. At the time, a cruise terminal could have been the gift horse that could have delivered that.
Dapperdan
August 16, 2012, 09:41:17 AMI am not sure if the plan is dead, but I know the port authority still owns the land needed for it. A modern cruise terminal that can handle bigger ships and more of them would be greatly beneficial to the area. I have been on two cruises out of Jacksonville, and all the out of towners ( which is most of the guests) arrive a day or so early and all of them are not impressed with where our current crusie terminal is. It is not near anything they can do. The zoo is about it. Mayport would be able to have restaurants, nightlife, etc, very near to the port. Plus shore excursions could possoibly be booked for river trips, beaches, etc.
Dapperdan
August 16, 2012, 09:43:48 AMIf they keep the one ship model they have now, then the ship would be in Mayport maybe 2 days out of the week. What you would have is a influc of people from as far away as Canada. If a small boutique hotel was opened near the terminal, you would have even more benefit as people may arrive one day early or stay an extra day after they get back.
Tacachale
August 16, 2012, 09:45:00 AMThe Mayport cruise terminal idea has lost a ton of steam, but it's not totally a dead dog yet. Jaxport still has the property, though of course the idea has never been very popular among Mayport Village residents. Whatever you think about it, it would have brought a lot of people through Mayport.
fieldafm
August 16, 2012, 09:48:47 AM4 of the 13 parcels originally included in the ferry transfer to JaxPort are being returned to the City. All non-waterfront parcels should be back in the City's hands soon(believe General Counsel is drafting the documents now). I believe the intent is for the port to lease the waterfont parcel that the Ferry operates from now back to the City for $1 a year and keep the rest of the waterfront parcels.
fieldafm
August 16, 2012, 09:49:39 AMThat being said.. who's down for some fun, food and sun in support of the Ferry?
I'm down.
Tacachale
August 16, 2012, 09:56:36 AMWe'll be there.
fsujax
August 16, 2012, 09:57:31 AMlooks like a great event.
Jack
August 19, 2012, 01:04:08 PMI'm in, but how are traffic and parking going to work? This could be a disaster.
Charles Hunter
August 19, 2012, 01:33:14 PMAccording to one of the posters, they will be running shuttles from the JTA (?) lot at Wonderwood and Mayport Road, near the main gate of the NS.
fieldafm
August 22, 2012, 03:47:37 PMAnother great editorial on how FDOT is being hypocritical in regards to the Mayport Ferry by Ron Littlepage:
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/406107/ron-littlepage/2012-08-22/florida-dot-plays-ferry-favoritism
This follows up on:
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400601/ron-littlepage/2012-08-03/fdot-head-ignores-facts-mayport-ferry
See you all at Ferry Fest this Saturday! This should be a really fun event for a good cause!!
Noone
August 22, 2012, 06:08:40 PM2011-364 RAM Dock?
tufsu1
August 22, 2012, 08:54:37 PMgood find field....I've heard that FDOT's subsidy for the ferry in the Keys is more than twice what they've been asked to contribute here.
Another issue that keeps cropping up is that the Dames Point Bridge is an alternative to the ferry....really...can pedestrians and bicyclists use it?
thelakelander
August 22, 2012, 10:04:13 PMpedestrians and bicyclists? what are those?
tufsu1
February 08, 2013, 10:29:43 AMhere's some interesting news....looks like USDOT is allocating more funds for ferries...and it says Florida is a recipient....I wonder if any of this $ will find its way to the Mayport Ferry
http://fastlane.dot.gov/2013/02/dot-support-for-improved-ferry-service-boosts-another-transportation-option.html#more
fsujax
February 08, 2013, 01:28:13 PMIf our delegation seeks it. We should get some.