by Natasha Khairullah
Staff Writer
Beginning this Friday, those in search of the next big pre-weekend happy hour destination will get a chance to let loose at Crowne Plaza’s “First Friday Deck Party on the River.”
The event, will kick off a series of First Friday pool-side soirees sponsored by local radio station FM-100.7 that will take place over the next few months.
According to Crowne Plaza’s Director of Sales and Marketing Janice Dailey, the goal of the parties is to take advantage of the deck’s atmosphere and provide the after-work crowd with another way to enjoy Downtown’s skyline as well as the St. Johns River.
“Last year when we had the re-flagging, we held the unveiling party there (the pool deck) and it was just absolutely beautiful,” she said. “Everyone enjoyed it so much that we decided we really needed to try and do something in the warmer months to really allow people to enjoy it at other times as well as take advantage of the beautiful location. That’s how the idea got started.”
Crowne Plaza Riverfront originally opened in 1964 as the Hilton Jacksonville. The hotel has 292 rooms offering private walk-out balconies – many overlooking the St. Johns River. Dailey said the hotel has become well-known for its pool-side view over the years.
The upcoming First Friday parties are free to the public and will feature rotating live entertainment, beginning with this week’s performer Paul Lundgren, as well as cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres.
“It’s not meant to be a great big party,” said Dailey. “It’s mainly for people (21 and up) who just want to come out and have a few drinks after work and get their weekends started early.”
Woody Carlson, Promotions Director for FM-100.7, came up with the concept for the First Friday pool deck party and encouraged the Crowne Plaza team to go ahead and do it every Friday.
“The problem was that we had groups booked in-house on various Fridays on the deck,” said Dailey. “So right now, the months of June and August are scheduled for the First Friday parties, but in May and July, other deck events will take place.”
Dailey said there will be two pool deck events in April – the second one taking place after Administrative Assistants’ Day for which Crowne Plaza is holding the after party.
For more information on the First Friday Deck Party on the River, call 398-8800.