by Glenn Tschimpke
Staff Writer
Despite the promise of a posh party in the mild autumn air, ticket sales for Downtown Dazzle have been slower than expected. Bobi McGinnis, executive director of the River City Band — the party’s coordinator, expected a turnout of 1,000 people, but has since changed her forecast to reflect a more modest number.
“I’m now thinking we’re closer to 600 to 700,” she said. “That’s something that’s probably a sign of [Sept. 11], too, because people are a little tighter with their money. We’ve gotten quite a few patrons and quite a few table sales and individual ticket sales are coming along as well.”
McGinnis said she currently has 500 people signed up for the party although some organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, have received complimentary tables.
The timing of the party comes at a time when the slumping economy compounded by terrorist attacks in September may be keeping many billfolds closed. Combine that with Downtown Dazzle’s $45 minimum ticket price for an outdoor party with a cash bar and possible patrons might be saying, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
One intangible factor in ticket sales could be the weather. While November isn’t exactly Jacksonville’s rainiest month, there is no telling what could happen.
“If it rains, we’ll still figure out how to make it work,” said McGinnis. “If it should be a bad night, we should regroup easy enough. I’m just counting on it being beautiful.”
Nevertheless, McGinnis is charging ahead despite the lukewarm response. She’s received $40,000 in sponsorship money — $15,000 of which could be allocated from the City Council, pending approval — to put on what she hopes will be a first-rate party.
Guests are encouraged to dress in black-tie or 1930s attire. Entertainment will mirror the theme of the party with the River City Band, Pretty Boy Freud and Dot Wilder.
A silent auction will be held at the old Luggage Shop building adjacent to Hemming Plaza, although donated items have been slower coming than expected. As of last week, coordinators were about 30 items short of the 100 they expected to collect.
McGinnis plans to illuminate Hemming Plaza with an array of light and candles in the trees and around the center fountain. Food will be catered and a cash bar will be available.
The first Downtown Dazzle was held in 1991 to spur interest in rebuilding the center city as a vibrant center of commerce and government.
“The first Downtown Dazzle was 10 years ago and it was in the St. James Building when it had been closed down for about two years,” she said. “We threw the first big party in there to call attention to bringing that building back to life. That was about the time people started talking about it possibly being City Hall.”
Jack Diamond was chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in 1991 and was integral in the preparation of the inaugural event.
“We were trying to generate interest in getting a government center to Hemming Plaza with City Hall, the court house and the Museum of Modern Art,” he said. “It was a retrospect of where we were and where we are today from the non-use of that entire area to its revitalization.”
The party will hinge around a 1930s theme, which reflects downtown Jacksonville’s glory days when it was a vibrant bustling community.
“In the 1930s, downtown was fairly dynamic,” said Diamond. “We’re trying to bring it back to the glory days.”