JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s beloved “Duval Day” is moving to a new location for its 10th anniversary after the City of Jacksonville originally denied the permits to host the event on North Myrtle Avenue.
The event will now be hosted at Clanzel T. Brown Park near the intersection of Golfair Boulevard and Moncrief Road on Saturday, July 12.
The event will take place from 2 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the park located at 4575 Moncrief Road. Free parking is available at A. Philip Randolph School.
The event will feature live entertainment, local food and surprise celebrity guests.
Organizers said the free event is a celebration rooted in giving back to the community.
Comedian and recording artist Lil Duval said he teamed up with Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, city officials, the Boys & Girls Club and several local organizations to ensure the event provides fun for the community.
“We’re bringing the community together, with love, laughter, and music, that’s what the movement of Lil Duval is all about,” he said in a statement.
The permit for the original planned site changed after the city cited several concerns in the denial, including overcrowding during last year’s event — which drew more than 2,000 people — illegal parking, and a lack of adequate security. Officials also noted the permit lacked key logistical information such as a road closure plan, restroom locations, police presence, and stage layout.
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Duval Day, created by Jacksonville native Lil Duval and longtime friend Mr. Manns, began nearly a decade ago as a small community block party meant to give back to the city. Over the years, it has grown into a major celebration, attracting people from across Jacksonville.
“I can be standing outside my grandma’s house, man, they’ll pass by. I can’t wait until Duval Day. Can’t wait, older people, younger people, man, it’s crazy,” Mr. Manns said. “They bring their grills out, they cook, they fry fish, they do everything on that day, they really look forward to that day.”
Duval Day started when Lil Duval and Mr. Manns had a simple idea to give back.
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“We came up with an idea, like we need to give back some type of way, like a block party and give back to the community,” Mr. Manns said. “We started doing it on the Fourth of July…It grows, still positive, no violence, no nothing, just straight positive vibes and everything.”
But with growth comes growing pains.
“Then we’re victims of our own success, but everything they listed, we can fix. We just want to keep it here where it all started,” Mr. Manns said.
City Councilman Rahman Johnson stepped in to help organizers find a new venue, saying he believes in the vision behind Duval Day.
Lil Duval gave a response after News4JAX originally reported that the permits were denied.
The people who attend the event year after year said the energy speaks for itself.
“It means a lot man, not just to me but to the whole community,” comedian Nod “Lil Nut” Ross said. “We come out, have a good time. You know, everybody just vibing, just bringing everybody together. You get networking out here. You meet people, new people, people who are fans of you, who support you.”
Ross said people in leadership roles who may not understand what Duval Day means to the community should come out and see what it’s about.
“If you’re in a leadership role, you want to be out here to touch the people, and this is the opportunity,” Ross said.
Just one week after the permit denial, organizers were granted approval to hold the event at Clanzel T. Brown Park.
Despite the location change, the mission remains the same.
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