UPDATE: The Jacksonville Fair is gearing up for its last run in downtown Jacksonville from November 6 to November 16, 2025, before a significant relocation to the Westside in 2026. Following 70 years at its current site, this beloved tradition faces a bittersweet farewell as it prepares for a new chapter.
The decision to move comes as the downtown area transforms, with new developments like the Four Seasons hotel and the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium reshaping the landscape. Bill Olson, executive director of the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, emphasized that the fair can no longer sustain its size amid the ongoing changes. “It’s just getting harder and harder for us to have the size event that we have,” Olson stated.
As the fair gears up for its final downtown appearance, community concerns are rising. Residents near the new site on Normandy Boulevard express worries about increased traffic and safety issues. Jeannie Engle, a nearby resident for 13 years, voiced her frustrations. “I’m not opposed to the fair. I’m opposed to new development. Just widen the roads first,” she remarked, highlighting the dangerous conditions caused by ongoing roadwork.
In response to these concerns, Olson assured the community that a new road off POW MIA Boulevard is under construction, designed to provide a dedicated entrance and exit to the northern part of the new fairgrounds. “That’s going to relieve all the traffic on Normandy,” Olson confirmed, hoping to ease local fears.
Residents are excited yet apprehensive about the upcoming changes. While Engle plans to visit the fair at its new location, she intends to do so during the day to avoid peak traffic. The fair’s last downtown run offers a unique chance for long-time attendees to relive cherished memories one last time.
The Jacksonville Fair’s historic presence in downtown has fostered community ties and nostalgia for many. Olson noted, “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.”
The countdown to this final event is on, and with the clock ticking, fairgoers are urged to mark their calendars for this emotional send-off. As the Jacksonville Fair prepares for its transition, the community holds its breath, balancing excitement for future opportunities with the bittersweet nature of saying goodbye to a longstanding tradition.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Jacksonville Fair navigates this pivotal moment in its history.
