by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
For spectators, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival is three days and nights of music and the opportunity to experience Downtown at its most vibrant.
More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the event Friday-Sunday during Memorial Day weekend.
For business owners, having that many people in the neighborhood creates an opportunity to make the cash registers ring. Fourteen food vendors and 39 artists have signed on to set up booths during the festival.
They’ll be in business for the weekend, but what about people who make their livings Downtown all year?
The City’s Office of Special Events reached out to Downtown’s business community and the result is a partnership among 26 restaurants, nightspots, retailers and service providers to offer special hours and promotions for festival-goers.
“We reached out to the businesses, explained the impact of the events and offered suggestions on how to take advantage of the opportunity,” said Special Events Public Relations Manager Christina Langston.
She said the City calculates the total economic impact of the Jazz Festival at $20 million, from food and beverages and souvenirs and sold-out hotels.
For details about the 2011 Jacksonville Jazz Festival, visit www.jaxjazzfest.com.
356-2466