Downtown Jacksonville during the annual Florida-Georgia game is something that has to be experienced in-person. Every year, the city transforms into what’s known as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party,” a weekend filled with energy, camaraderie, and an undeniable sense of community. This year was my first time my feet hit the sidewalks even though it is approaching my third anniversary of living in Jacksonville, I’m seeing this tradition through a new, more intentional lens—and it’s beautiful.
A Tradition of Placemaking and Connection
As someone with a passion for placemaking, my experience of Florida-Georgia is unique. At work, we have a tradition of hopping into a golf cart and riding through RV City, exploring the temporary cityscape that pops up each year. From a planning perspective, it’s fascinating to see how RV City has evolved: people setting up their spaces, the creative infrastructure, the way the community organically claims its territory.
This year, it struck me just how different the landscape is. In previous years, RV City was packed with over 160 RVs, but this time, I heard we’re down to about 60 or 70. I need to learn why but we also saw a “less wild” year due to the teams’ performance, but it’s also a sign of the times. People are feeling the effects of inflation, and spending hundreds of dollars a night just to be a part of the scene isn’t as easy as it used to be. Still, there’s something resilient about those who are here—they’re invested in this tradition.
Community
For years, Florida-Georgia has had a reputation for chaotic crowds. But as a people-planner there’s something deeply fulfilling about seeing the potential of placemaking come alive in an event as large as Florida-Georgia. It’s about embracing the community that Jacksonville has always had and nurturing it to be even stronger. While the absence in 2026 and 2027 to Atlanta and Tampa will certainly dampen the local scene; it is a great time to retreat and analyze the social infrastructure of the event; as well as how to improve the public realm when we go back to hosting in 2028. In addition to experiencing RV City, it was my first time spending time on our beloved Florida Ave during FL-GA. After two years of year-round engagement with the non-profits, business owners, and residents of A. Philip Randolph Boulevard; the time felt electric as I ran into people outside of our usual stiff boardroom working through the toughest challenges, to just celebrating life and authentic Out East culture. It was an honor to roam with Community Champion Ms. Honey Holzendorf which included: support to Ms. Cookie. and the expanded team at The Avenue Grill, a run-in with the famous Ms. Alice “the honey dripper lady,” plus a meeting with Ariane Randolph at the park during Friday-night set up to keep doing the work; we serve on the Florida Main Streets Design Committee and are looking to address vacant lots with community-customized pop-ups for health and happiness. Lastly, I got to reunite with my original crew The Moncrief Boys; we’ve been working closely together since mid 2022.
The Value of Time, Trust, and Respect
Money can’t buy everything, and in a city like Jacksonville, three things stand out as invaluable: time, trust, and respect. These are things you can’t put a price on, and they’re the backbone of a truly thriving community. Inflation may be a reality right now, and people may have to cut back on their spending, but the spirit of this community isn’t about the dollars—it’s about the connections, the respect, and the understanding that we’re all here to experience something meaningful together.
I think often of what my mentor Isaiah Oliver taught me about being social in a way that goes beyond transactions. There’s an authenticity here in Jacksonville that reminds me of my home in New York, with its hustle, color, and energy. The people of Jacksonville have that same drive, that same creative spirit. They might not fill every street corner like in New York, but the culture and motivation are just as alive.
Feeling at Home in Jacksonville
Being here in Downtown Jax during Florida-Georgia, I feel a powerful sense of home. Jacksonville has this way of bringing people together, of creating a space where even a big city can feel like tight-knit. I may have started here as an outsider, but now, as I near my third anniversary, I feel rooted. I feel like I’m part of something larger than myself, part of a community that values both tradition and progress.
As I look toward the future, I know there’s so much potential for growth in Jacksonville. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll get to play a bigger role! For now, though, I’m content to contribute in my own way, helping Jacksonville become a place where people not only come together for events like Florida-Georgia but also support each other all year round.
Here’s to another year of the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party, to placemaking, and to this incredible city that’s become my home.
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