JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Fair, a beloved downtown tradition for decades, is preparing for a major change.
After 70 years at its current location, the fair will move to the Westside in 2026, and while the move promises new opportunities, some neighbors are raising concerns about traffic and safety on Normandy Boulevard near the new site.
Bill Olson, executive director of the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, explained the decision to relocate.
“Even though we’ve been here for 70 years, we feel it’s time, because of everything happening around us, that it’s just getting harder and harder for us to have the size event that we have,” Olson said.
The downtown area has changed significantly over the years, especially recently, with developments like the Four Seasons hotel, the Jaguars stadium, the new Museum of Science and History, and a soccer field nearby.
Olson described the move as “bittersweet,” given the fair’s long history downtown.
The new fairgrounds are located next to the Equestrian Center off Normandy Boulevard on the Westside, where construction is currently underway.
However, some residents like Jeannie Engle, who has lived near Normandy Boulevard for 13 years, worry about the impact on their neighborhood’s quiet, country feel.
“I’m not opposed to the fair. I’m opposed to new development. Just widen the roads first,” Engle said. She pointed to dangerous driving conditions caused by ongoing road work and concrete barriers.
When asked about traffic concerns, Olson said the fair organizers are addressing that in plans for the new site.
Rendering shows plans for new expo center at new Jacksonville fairgrounds on the Westside (Provided By Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair Association)
“So we’ll have a dedicated entrance and exit off of POW. So that’s going to relieve all the traffic on Normandy,” he said.
Engle plans to attend the fair at its new location but said she is more likely to visit during the daytime to avoid heavy traffic.
“I hope by then they’ve figured out the situation because traffic will be crazy,” she said.
While the move to the Westside is still down the road, the fair will run downtown one last time from Nov 6 through Nov 16.
Olson encouraged those who haven’t visited in a while to come and reminisce.
“Those folks maybe haven’t come in a while…You know coming here as a kid or whatever and seeing it one last time is really the last chance they’re going to have.”
Advanced tickets for the fair are available at JacksonvilleFair.com.
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