Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves moving Francis Field weekend to May and extends Sing Out Loud agreement to 2033
Summary
The commission approved a request from Sing Out Loud festival organizers to shift the Francis Field weekend to the third weekend in May (to reduce hurricane risk) and to extend the city's contract at Francis Field through 2033; the motion passed after debate over the length of the extension and measurement of hotel-occupancy data.
The City Commission voted to approve a contract modification that will shift the Sing Out Loud festival's Francis Field weekend from September to the third weekend in May and to extend the city's current agreement through 2033.
Diana Markovitz, director of public relations and partnerships for SJC Cultural Events Inc., said the 2025 festival drew about 25,000 attendees during the Francis Field weekend, that 87.5% of ticket purchasers came from outside Saint Johns County, and that organizers estimate a roughly $9 million economic impact for the weekend. She told the commission the organization is seeking the date change to avoid peak hurricane season and to reduce the cost and operational risk of year-to-year cancellations; she also sought a five-year extension to provide a planning horizon, noting the event is now proposed as a three-day Francis Field showcase with other festival elements remaining in September.
Commissioners asked for clearer measures of hotel-occupancy impact and raised concerns about locking in a long extension before testing the new May dates. One commissioner proposed an amendment to allow rolling five-year renewals instead of a fixed extension to 2033; the mayor declined to amend and supported the full extension to 2033. Commissioners also confirmed that the same plan to rent the parking garage for weather evacuation would be used if the weekend moves to May.
Vote and next steps: The commission approved the contract modification and date change; the motion passed with recorded no votes from John De Prater and Jim Springfield (roll call recorded). Staff will work with organizers on logistics and return as needed with any contract language changes required for the second-reading and final execution of the modification.
Actions: Motion to approve Sing Out Loud contract modifications (move Francis Field weekend to May; extend contract through 2033) carried on roll call with majority support.
