Welcome to Rockville Leaving Jax for Daytona

[KenFSU]

 

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/-welcome-to-rockville-festival-leaving-jacksonville/964541086

[Tacachale]

#JaxOnTheRise

[thelakelander]

Quick secret about successful downtown revitalization strategies......you get further must faster by adding to your existing assets and businesses as opposed to doing things that eliminate them. Right now we're writing a novel on what not to do.

[Josh]

Zero chance this comes back in 2021 like they’re anticipating.

[Snaketoz]

This is what happens when you elect a kakistocracy.  Maybe we'll be in the running for a huge tractor pull now.

[CityLife]

Jax is also dealing with Florida-Georgia negotiations too and the contract ends in 2021. Despite what was said in the Florida Times Union today, I've heard from a UGA friend that there are a lot of UGA power brokers that want to push for the series to be split between Atlanta and Jax. Frenette said the max capacity at Mercedes Benz is 8,000 seats lower than TIAA Bank's expanded capacity, but it's actually only 5,500 seats (going off National Title game capacity). That stadium is absurdly nice and there are better hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Atlanta. Jax is going to have to fight hard to keep the game full time, imo.

[Snaketoz]

The Florida-Georgia game has been rumored to be close to changing venues many times, but it hasn't yet.  I think the pressure to move it to Atlanta is going to get more intense.  They have also talked of home and home games.  Jacksonville needs to build-up downtown instead of tearing it down.  I guess this will help lot J.

[Peter Griffin]

They outgrew the Stadium district. I can't be too upset with them, but boy this is a shame. Rockville was generally overpriced and the lineups had only a few nuggets in them that I relly liked as a rock/metal fan, but I did enjoy the 2 times I went and think it's a shame Jax is missing out on such a big fun outing.

[Adam White]

They outgrew the Stadium district. I can't be too upset with them, but boy this is a shame. Rockville was generally overpriced and the lineups had only a few nuggets in them that I relly liked as a rock/metal fan, but I did enjoy the 2 times I went and think it's a shame Jax is missing out on such a big fun outing.

It's a real shame - Jacksonville should be doing everything it can to not only keep stuff like this, but attract more. I know the lineups may be less than inspiring, but that seems the be the way it is with most festivals - you might find one or two or three bands you really want to see.

[BridgeTroll]

I will miss it... certainly not traveling to Daytona... 

[Papa33]

Other than "tradition", what compelling argument can the City of Jacksonville make to keep the Florida/GA game from moving to Atlanta?

[Tacachale]

Other than "tradition", what compelling argument can the City of Jacksonville make to keep the Florida/GA game from moving to Atlanta?

Slightly more seats than the Atlanta stadium, and potentially greater willingness to cut a deal favorable to the schools. That's about it.

[Tacachale]

By the Numbers | What the loss of Welcome to Rockville means for Jacksonville
Here's a look at exactly what Jacksonville stands to lose when tens of thousands of people take several millions of dollars to Daytona.
Author: Harold Goodridge
Published: 12:57 PM EDT July 7, 2019
Updated: 1:09 PM EDT July 7, 2019
Just days after The Jacksonville Landing saw its last July 4th celebration, another finale was announced for downtown that will have a significant financial impact here.

Welcome to Rockville organizers announced Saturday that they're moving the multi-day festival to the newly renovated Daytona International Speedway citing downtown construction as a chief concern. Billed as the largest rock 'n' roll festival in the country, Jacksonville businesses need to brace for a loss of tens of thousands of people speeding more than $10 million during the event at Metropolitan Park.


The University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Laboratory conducted a study of the festival a few years ago detailing exactly what Jacksonville may lose as Welcome to Rockville leaves the Bold City after a 9-year run.

...

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/by-the-numbers-what-the-loss-of-welcome-to-rockville-means-for-jacksonville/77-3d4d6d87-c531-43f6-8511-0962ea028008

Interesting stats from the article: 40,000 people attended Welcome to Rockville according to the 2014 study. The festival said it was up to 50,000 in 2016. Estimated economic impact was $10.3 million, including $6.4 million directly to hotels. The promoters said this increased to $15 million in 2016.

I never went to this festival, but my nephew and his friends came almost every year. Not a good thing to lose.

[thelakelander]

#winning

[Kerry]

Quick secret about successful downtown revitalization strategies......you get further must faster by adding to your existing assets and businesses as opposed to doing things that eliminate them. Right now we're writing a novel on what not to do.

Well, I don't know what to tell you, but...

Yes, I'm being told that Average Joe's
does not have enough players
and will be forfeiting
the championship match.


It's a bold strategy, Cotton.
Let's see if it pays off for 'em.