They’re getting ready for the gala.
The staff at Downtown Vision Inc. works daily to promote Downtown as a place to live, work and play.
But for the past several months, they’ve also been organizing the nonprofit’s first gala in its nearly 16-year history.
“Urban Oasis” begins at 6 p.m. March 19 on the ninth floor at 100 N. Laura St., formerly known as the Jacksonville Bank Building.
“It’s an opportunity for everyone to get together and celebrate Downtown,” said Jake Gordon, the agency’s CEO.
The event is limited to 200 attendees at $150 each, including cocktails, dining, dancing, a silent auction and awards for Downtown’s outstanding advocates and supporters.
Only about 50 tickets remain and they won’t be available at the door.
“We encourage people to get their tickets as soon as possible. We expect a sell-out,” said Katherine Hardwick, director of marketing.
Some Downtown businesses are contributing their products to the event.
Catering will be provided by Black Sheep 5 Points, with wine and liquor donated by the Jacksonville Landing.
Bold City Brewery and Intuition Ale Works are donating beer for the gala.
The dessert selection will be a chocolate fountain donated by Peterbrooke Chocolatier and Sweet Pete’s will provide a candy gift bag for each attendee.
Safari and khaki attire is encouraged for the urban oasis theme. The reptile curators at the Museum of Science & History Naturalist Center will bring some of their scaly friends.
Silent auction items include a stay-and-dine package from the Omni Jacksonville Hotel, a rooftop dinner at Black Sheep and a one-year membership at CoWork Jacksonville.
Also on the block will be a one-year membership to the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and a selection of gift baskets from neighborhood merchants.
More than 20 businesses in the urban core have signed on as sponsors.
“We have received so much support from the Downtown community,” said Gordon.
Funds raised at the gala will help establish DVI’s “Parklet” program, an effort to convert small areas of Downtown, such as metered parking spaces in front of businesses, into seating and dining areas.
For more details and tickets, visit dtjaxgala.com.
@DRMaxDowntown
(904) 356-2466