Sports leaders project $70mill+ economic impact from Oct/Nov events

It’s going to be a busy few weeks in Jacksonville, and City leaders hope that will have a big payoff.

The packed three weeks highlighted Tuesday by the JAXSPORTS Council and City of Jacksonville starts with the annual Georgia/Florida game. That event is Saturday, October 29 at EverBank Field, but RV City will open October 25^th, and there will be several events leading up to the game.

The following Saturday, November 5, Jacksonville will host Navy/Notre Dame football. Military-themed events kick off Wednesday during Art Walk and continue with the JAX Chamber Military Appreciation Luncheon Thursday, then Friday pep rallies for both schools and fireworks on the St. Johns River at night. If you have a Navy/Notre Dame ticket, you can also get in free to the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, which takes place November 2-13.

The 2016 Jacksonville Sea and Sky Air Show takes place that Saturday and Sunday as well, November 5-6, in Jacksonville Beach. The US Navy Blue Angels will perform.

The following week, Jacksonville hosts a Week of Valor, featuring several events and capping off with the Veterans Day parade Friday.

All these events are being supported in some way by City dollars- a large portion of that from bleachers that will be built for the two neutral site games.

“The economic benefits and what that means for actual tax dollars coming back in to the City are tremendous,” says Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry.

The return is expected to be huge- more than $70 million in economic impact over the three weeks.

“After Hurricane Matthew left us in a mess, I think that’s very needed, especially for the hoteliers along the beach to have all those hotels full,” says JAXSPORTS President/CEO Rick Catlett.

The Jacksonville Jaguars also have a home game Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.