JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Funk Fest made its return to Metropolitan Park after seven years.
The two-day R&B and hip-hop festival, described as the ultimate old school outdoor music experience, kicked off on Friday.
Despite a brief weather delay, the show still went on.
“Everybody [is] having fun, enjoying themselves,” attendee Pamela Tyson said.
That’s how Tyson described the event.
“We are excited to have Funk Fest – The Rebirth returning to Jacksonville. This had historically been a great visitor event and we anticipate this new version will bring visitors, both new and returning, to our Downtown for the weekend,” Visit Jacksonville said in a statement to News4JAX.
The event celebrated its 25th anniversary with an exciting lineup of entertainment, including 112, Trey Songz, Carl Thomas and other big names.
Funk Fest owner Lee Bennett said the return to the River City felt like home.
“We’ve been gone now for six years, so Funk Fest started here in 2002 and we went from 2002 to 2018,” he said. “That was like one of our biggest markets we left for a while, took a little break but we’re back after six years, and it’s been a great response from the city and also our friends here in Jacksonville.”
Linda Newberry received tickets for the outdoor concert from he daughter as a Mother’s Day gift. She said she was eager to see names like Charlie Wilson hit the stage.
While the festivities included a wide range of music, it also offered different options to eat.
“Different varieties of food from Cajun de Creole to some of the local favorites here in Jacksonville, so we’re trying to make sure the people who are visiting from out of town and the locals get a taste of their own medicine,” Bennett said.
The first day was a night filled with laughter, dancing and fun.
Get your tickets at funkfesttour.com.
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