‘Twas the weekend before Christmas and all through downtown,
Many people where stirring and coming around.
Office workers were delighted, exchanging egg nog and small gifts.
Later their bosses were stuck with giving free lifts.
Wreaths were hung on MOSH’s walls with care,
in hopes that high-bidding auctioneers soon might be there.
With JMOMA in her kerchief and Downtown Ambassadors in their hats,
downtown Jacksonville settled in for a long winter’s smash.
There were carolers at the Landing and trees at the Cummer.
Lights were everywhere; it seemed it would never be summer.
But to what did my beach-longing eyes did appear
but a Bay Street parade where people did cheer.
Out in Hemming Plaza, jazz music filled the air.
The homeless stopped their panhandling just to sit and stare.
Elves were dancing at Brooklyn Art Center
while crowds from the hockey game started to splinter.
Happy hours were happening on the North and Southbanks
to ease the pain of last-minute Christmas shopping angst.
It seemed each downtown spot had something fun—
live music or plays or dogs on a bun.
Down the sidewalk lumbered old Santa Claus
ringing his bell for a very good cause.
A caterer, driving, lost in the cold
stopped to ask where to turn from a lady who was old.
On Forsyth, on Newnan, on Bay to the river
That will get you close to where you want to deliver.
Near City Hall, the farmer’s market sold lots of fruit
and government workers attended the mayor’s party — I heard it was a hoot.
Across the river at the children’s museum
the planetarium held cosmic concerts where the hippies could see ‘em.
Locals was pouring drinks for the merry
while on the St. Johns there floated by a ferry.
There were concerts at the T-U Center and mimes at LaVilla.
There were even winter movie classics (excluding Godzilla).
Kwanzaa and spoken word played out at the Ritz
and D&J’s gallery social had wine with a spritz.
The Landing entertained at Southend and Vito’s
and the walls shook like it had been hit by a torpedo.
Cards at the Karpeles was what Springfield held in store
and ticket-holders at the Florida Theatre were knocking down their door.
Pop went the start of the Jacksonville Symphony.
Those visiting downtown reached an epiphany.
There really is stuff to do in downtown, the heart of the city.
Some people never come down here, it sure is a pity.
To those that brave the congestion, there is a reason.
It’s to find a great place to celebrate the holiday season.
—by Monica Chamness