An event designed to “change the world’s opinion of Jacksonville” was unveiled Tuesday morning Downtown in the animatronics workshop at Sally Corp.
Wayne Wood, historian and co-founder of the “Epoch Project,” said the inaugural event, scheduled April 3-14, 2013, will be an innovation, imagination and technology competition with $500,000 in cash prizes.
He said it would “begin a period of radical change for the better.”
Wood compared the anticipated activity and subsequent invigoration of the community to what happened after the Great Fire of 1901.
After Jacksonville was reduced to ashes in less than 24 hours more than a century ago, architects and entrepreneurs flocked to the city and caused a revival that led to Super Bowl XXXIX, he said.
“We’re about to have another such movement,” said Wood, “except we don’t have to burn down the town to do it.”
The contest will be judged solely by the public and will invite individuals, collaborative groups and corporations to enter ideas and creations in the areas of art, engineering, electronics, robotics, conservation, communication or science.
Registered competitors will be required to secure a registered venue Downtown to exhibit or display their entry.
Project co-founder Doug Coleman said members of the public will select their favorite entry via smartphone or laptop and must be in Downtown’s boundaries to cast a vote.
“It will be a festival the likes of which no one has ever seen before,” Wood said.
Asked if there will be categories of competition, Wood said the contest is open to all competitors without restrictions.
“A puppet show will compete with a cure for cancer,” he said.
About $100,000 of the estimated $2 million it will take to stage the event has already been secured, he said.
Organizers expect 250,000 people will come Downtown for the Epoch Project, which could draw sponsors like Microsoft, Google and IBM, said Wood.
More details about the event, including entry information and sponsor and volunteer opportunities, will be available at Facebook.com/epochproject.
356-2466