Commission may prevent new peak-season events at Francis Field

“No event will be scheduled on Francis Field during the months of March and April or from the third Saturday in November through January 31 of the following year except those events which were held during those months between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016.”

Historic City News will be watching Monday evening when a resolution comes before the St Augustine City Commission that would set a two-year ban on new events at Francis Field during peak periods. If approved in its entirety, the resolution would also limit parades and athletic events along city streets and state highways to Saturdays, athletic events 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and parades to 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

“Special events of varying sizes have for many years been a rich part of St. Augustine’s cultural backdrop, Public Affairs Director Paul Williamson says in a memo to commissioners, but “many are scheduled during peak visitation seasons (so) the need to manage the impact of events has become evident.”

Exempted are those mostly-local fundraising events such as the Lions Seafood Festival and Sunrise Rotary’s Rhythm and Ribs Festival, while events such as this weekend’s Great American Burgerfest, hosted by Jacksonville’s Great American Foundation, would not be exempted.

The regular commission meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. Monday in the Alcazar Room at City Hall, and will be live-streamed on CoSA.TV.