Blog Archives
2012 Georgia vs. Florida Football Classic
Welcome to Jacksonville!
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing the most current information that residents and out of town visitors will need to enjoy the Georgia/Florida weekend festivities in a safe and secure manner.
To this end, we are coordinating with the City of Jacksonville, the University of Florida, and the University of Georgia to provide the information you need to make the most of the weekend. All event information related to participant safety, road closures, and traffic can be found on this website or theGeorgia/Florida website.
Assistant Chief of Special Events Leonard Propper discusses 2012 Georgia vs. Florida traffic patterns and public safety tips at a news conference held on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012:
Assistant Chief Leonard Propper discusses Georgia vs. Florida game day traffic patterns, parking and shuttle services with Bruce Hamilton and Staci Spanos, co-hosts of WJXT’s “The Morning Show”. Aired on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Pre-Game Information
For residents who live or work downtown:
- There will be no parking on the south side of Bay Street from Ocean Street to Liberty Street starting on Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 a.m. throughout Saturday, Oct. 27.
- Campers will be allowed into the lots at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24. (For more information click here)
- Be aware of the extra traffic and delays around EverBank Field and The Jacksonville Landing as guests arrive.
Road Closures
Road Closures from Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 thru Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 –
- Hogan Street from Water Street to the St. Johns River will be closed Thursday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. thru 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28.
- Pearl Street from Water Street to the St. Johns River will be closed Thursday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. thru 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28.
- Sister Cities Plaza from Hogan Street to the cul-de-sac will be closed Thursday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. thru 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28.
- Coastline Drive from the Jacksonville Landing to Newnan Street will be closed Thursday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. thru 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28.
- A. Phillip Randolph Blvd. from Duval Street to Adams Street will be closed Friday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. thru 2 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27.
- Independent Drive from Hogan Street east to Laura Street will be closed Friday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. thru 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28. Please note: Independent Drive to Laura Street will remain open to southbound traffic going to the Main Street Bridge.
- Lane indicators will be working Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 a.m. thru 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. During this time there will be two lanes going east and two lanes going west between Liberty Street and Ocean Street.
- On Saturday, Oct. 27 at 9 a.m. the lane indicators will shift to pre-game pattern this includes three eastbound lanes and one westbound lane from Ocean Street to the sports complex area.
- Sign boards will be up on major roadways throughout the city with parking information.
- The Mathews Bridge will be open on Saturday, Oct. 27.
Game Day – Game Starts at 3:30 p.m.
Parking Tips
- People without pre-paid parking passes need to use general parking. Based on history, we anticipate that general public parking in the sports complex area will fill up five hours prior to kick-off. Private lots near the stadium area go just as fast.
- There will be no parking on the south side of Bay Street from Ocean Street to Liberty Street starting on Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 a.m. throughout Saturday, Oct. 27.
- Arrive early. The stadium gates open at 1:30 p.m. After 1:30 p.m. the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s focus will shift to pedestrian traffic, vehicle traffic to the stadium should expect delays.
- Additional Parking Information (as of Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012)
MAPS
- Map of Downtown Jacksonville with Sideline Student Safety Zones, SkyStations, Trolley Stops, Water Taxi Locations and More Information
- Stadium Parking Map
Game Day Transportation Services
- Florida State College of Jacksonville’s downtown campus, 101 W. State St., will have 2,000 free parking spaces available. There will be a shuttle bus offered, which will run for four hours before kick-off and for two hours after the game ends. Please visit www.jtafla.com for shuttle bus pricing.
- There will be free parking at the Convention Center Parking Lot on Bay Street (located across from the Prime Osborne Convention Center, 1000 Water St.) with round-trip shuttle bus services. Please visit www.jtafla.com for shuttle bus pricing. Just like at Florida State College of Jacksonville’s downtown campus, these shuttles will also run for four hours before kick-off and for two hours after the game ends.
- Attendees heading downtown for the game can also park at the Kings Avenue Parking Garage and take the Skyway to Central Station. Then walk from Central Station to the Jacksonville Landing and take a bus to the stadium.
The Water Taxi stops at various locations on the riverbank. These locations include: The Jacksonville Landing, Friendship Fountain, The Crowne Plaza, The Wyndam and the Jacksonville Municipal Marina.
Safety
The safety of all game day participants is the utmost concern of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. To this end, JSO would like to stress the following safety measures.
- Jacksonville does have an open container law for underage drinkers, and this will be enforced.
- Stay with your friends, stay in a group.
- Do not buy tickets in the street. Counterfeit tickets do exist, and people found with counterfeit tickets will be ejected from the game and face possible arrest. (It is legal to buy tickets from a scalper. However, you do so at your own risk.)
- Above all else, USE COMMON SENSE throughout the weekend
Sideline Safety Zone Information
The intent of the Sideline Safety Zone is to provide a friendly and safe environment to those students seeking assistance.
The Sideline Safety Zone will be clearly marked and will be staffed by volunteers from each university as well as the City of Jacksonville. Services include access to trolleys and taxis, medical attention, water, snacks, phones and general information. The student safety hotline (904) 630-SAFE (7233) will be available during the hours of operation. Visit the Sideline Safety Zone for further information.
EverBank Field
- No purses or bags larger than 12 x 12 x 12 inches
- No cameras with lenses longer than six inches
- No coolers or containers including cans, cups and bottles
- No strollers or umbrellas
- No pets (except special services)
- No food or beverage from outside the stadium
- No seat cushions
- No video or audio recorders
- No whistles, noise makers, air horns or laser pointers
- No poles or sticks
- No knives, guns or any type of weapons or explosives
- No smoking (except in designated areas)
- No promotional items or any other items deemed unacceptable by Stadium Management.
- No Re-Entry
You cannot check items at the gates or in the stadium. Fans will be asked to either take prohibited items back to their car or dispose of prohibited items at the entrance of the stadium. EverBank Field and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office are NOT responsible for items left behind, lost, stolen or damaged. Possession of prohibited items is grounds for ejection from the stadium. Game tickets will be forfeited. No re-entry allowed. Click here for complete information on stadium rules and regulations
Whether you are a resident of Jacksonville or an out of town vistor, please enjoy Jacksonville, the Florida/Georgia Football Classic, and all of the exciting venues Jacksonville has to offer.
Social Media
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the City of Jacksonville’s Special Events Office will tweet traffic updates on Saturday, Oct. 27. Follow JSOPIO and FLvsGa on twitter for more information. #FLvsGA
Best Day Trips Outside of Jacksonville, Florida
Remember Janet Jackson’s infamous ‘wardrobe malfunction’ when she performed with Justin Timberlake during the 2005 Super Bowl halftime show? Jacksonville was put on the map when it hosted that year’s Super Bowl. Located on the St. John’s River in northeast Florida, Jacksonville is an interesting city with much to offer. If you are looking for best day trips outside of Jacksonville, here are some destinations, all less than an hour’s drive away.
St Augustine, Florida
Any history buff will be thrilled to visit St Augustine! A forty-five minutes drive from Jacksonville, St Augustine is the oldest European settlement in America. The preservation of the city’s history is impressive, with restored buildings dating back as far as the early 1600s. You can see this fascinating city on a trolley or horse-drawn carriage, or you can take a walking tour. St George Street, the main thoroughfare, is lined with quaint shops, restaurants, museums and historic buildings. A few blocks away is the Castillo de San Marcos, the star-shaped Spanish fort built in the mid-1600s. The oldest masonry fortification in North America, the Castillo has withstood sieges and hurricanes over the years. Re-enactors in period costumes demonstrate the historic weapons by firing the Spanish cannons during special events and on the weekends throughout the year. Check their website for time and schedule. Other attractions include the Lightner Museum, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, Flagler College (formerly Ponce de Leon Hotel) and the Casa Monica Hotel.
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Located on beautiful Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach is less than an hour’s drive northeast of Jacksonville. Like St Augustine, Fernandina Beach has its share of history, which dates back 4,000 years, when the ancient Timucuan Indians lived there. Eight flags have been flown in this town (including those of Spain, France, England, various insurgent groups, the United States and the Confederacy), reflecting its colorful past. A 50-block area of the quaint downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. No doubt the white sand beaches are a big draw to this charming town. Another favorite event is the three-day Shrimp Festival, which takes place the first weekend in May.
Cumberland Island, Georgia
If you like nature, camping and hiking, a visit to the Cumberland Island National Seashore in nearby Georgia is a must. The island is accessible only by boat. You can take the ferry from St Marys, Georgia or Fernandina Beach, Florida. As you explore the island, you will find Dungeness, the ruins of the Carnegie home. You can tour Plum Orchard, the 1898 mansion built by Lucy Carnegie for her son. The mansion was donated to the park service in 1971.
A short hike to the seashore will reward you with a magnificent 17-miles of hard-packed sand beaches and dunes. The wildlife you encounter along the way include wild horses, armadillos, turtles and a vast array of birds.
For those looking seeking more action, there is always Daytona Beach and Orlando, but you would be looking at more than an hour’s drive away.
Sources
http://www.nfl.com
http://www.nps.gov
http://www.ameliaisland.com/
http://www.augustine.com/
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One Tank Trips From Jacksonville, FL – Horse Stamp Inn
Destination: Horse Stamp Inn
Address: 2418 Horsestamp Church Road; Waverly, Georgia 31565
Directions from Jacksonville: Take I-95 north; take Exit #22/Horse Stamp Church Road. Head west for 3.5 miles.
Details: Nestled on a secluded tree-covered property with expansive green fields, rustic horse barn and a fresh water pond, this Southern mansion has been restored and allows people to escape their troubles for a peaceful getaway.
Family Friendly: Yes.
Cost: Complimentary winery tours and wine tasting are offered 7 days a week from 10 am-6 pm with Sunday tours starting at 11 am.
Contact: 912-882-6280
WAVERLY, Ga. is a coastal Georgia town that is home to the Horse Stamp Inn. The bed-and-breakfast is nestled on a secluded property that houses dramatic trees, expansive green fields, a rustic horse bar and an artesian fresh water pond.
It was the dream of owners Kris and Tom Hutcheson to one day own a bed-and-breakfast inn. Once the sprawling property became available, the couple jumped at the chance to transform it into a getaway for those looking for a quiet getaway.
Said Tom: “It’s very serene, tranquil and peaceful,” he said. “It’s close enough to cities like Jacksonville, Savannah, and Atlanta to be one-day trips.”
The Horse Stamp Inn offers five bedrooms along with a full Southern-style breakfast that is made with fresh eggs straight from the chicken coop. Opening the inn has been a labor of love for the Hutchesons. Kris and Tom attended to every detail when they were getting it ready for its debut.
During a tour of the lodge, Kris pointed out the features of the B&B.
During a tour of the Sea Biscuit room, she said it is the largest room in the inn and, “is the only one with access to the top veranda,” adding that it provides a place for guests to “relax, have fun and reconnect.”
The owners said they hope their inn provides some peace of mind to guests who visit.
“Life can be busy and if we can take some of that load (so that a guest) feels like they’ve really relaxed and leave here with a good feeling and feel ready to go back out and hit it again then we’ve accomplished our job,” Tom said.
I Am Lady Fab 