4th of July 2013 Friendship Fountain

13 years ago today I was lucky enough to get married at Friendship Fountain...
That little one (Our youngest) is 16 now and as tall as I am ;)

I was lucky on so many fronts... Married at my favorite place in the City of Jax, Married on my Favorite Holiday, Married in Jeans ;)... It just goes on.

Unfortunately we will not be able to visit this year but I know that those that get the chance to view the Fireworks from Friendship Fountain will have about the best seats in the City and we hope that some of you will take some pictures and share them with everyone by sending some our way to be added to the Friendship Fountain Image Gallery.

Here is one that was contributed by Dan Morris...

If you are a frequent visitor you may note we have updated the Friendship Fountain Image Gallery, same pictures but a more modern and fresh presentation. We will be updating the web site itself as well in the next few days and hope you will visit often.

Selene and I wish everyone a very Happy and Safe Fourth of July and hope that many of you will get a chance to visit our favorite place!

Until next time,
Bob

2013 Friendship Fountain Patriotic Music Program

I just received word from Rick Sawyer with The City of Jax that the Patriotic Music Program will begin playing at Friendship Fountain on Jul 1, 2013 at 8 AM ET and play through July 7, 2013.

If you haven't had a chance to see the Patriotic Music and Light Program at Friendship Fountain yet, or even if you have before, make sure to mark your calendars to get down to the Fountain one evening during the week of July 1st, 2013.



Also some of the best seats in Downtown Jax for the City of Jacksonville Fourth of July Fireworks are always from Friendship Fountain Park. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Walmart for sponsoring the 2013 Annual 4th of July Fireworks in conjunction with the City of Jacksonville. http://www.makeascenedowntown.com/Events/Fourth-of-July-Celebration.aspx

Folks a trip to Friendship Fountain is always a good time but there may not be a better time to visit than when the 4th of July Patriotic Music program is playing!

Until next time, Bob

2012 Boat Light Parade Downtown Jacksonville

The 2012 Jacksonville Boat Light Parade will be held on Nov 24, 2012 at 7:00 PM ET.

Viewable from both the North and South Riverwalks (including Friendship Fountain) it was also announced that immediately following the Light Parade the Holiday Fireworks Spectacular will be held including the signature Waterfall Fireworks from the Acosta and Main Street bridges.

JACKSONVILLE LIGHT PARADE SET FOR NOV. 24, 2012

This is a MUST see for Adults and kids alike and a great evening out for the family.

For more details click the link above.

Till next time, Bob

Psst... Follow @DTJax on Twitter

#FriendshipFountain Repaired and PINK for October

Received word from Mike Cribbs (writing for Rick Sawyer) that the Fountain lights have been repaired and Friendship Fountain is operating again.

This being Breast Cancer Awareness Month Friendship Fountain will be showing support by sporting the color PINK all month.

Local Breast Cancer Awareness Month events courtesy of Jacksonville.com
http://bit.ly/OUGsuU

The Fountain is expected to operate normally all Month and I am waiting word on the 2012 Holiday Schedule :)

Till next time, Bob

Southbank Riverwalk replacment plans...

Headline from Jacksonville.com

City eyes summer 2013 as possible starting date for replacement of aging Southbank riverwalk

Read the article here...

Plans are to replace the wood planked Riverwalk with concrete. While I have to say I loved the idea of a Wood Riverwalk when it was originally built the maintenance has proved to be beyond the City's capabilities and concrete is a better idea for long term...

-Bob

Friendship Fountain Drained!

Tweet from @JaxParks this afternoon...

Friendship Fountain water drained to allow for light repairs - hope to have operating again soon.

Will update when I get additional information.

-Bob

#FriendshipFountain Updates

I have been remiss in posting updates, my apologies.  Obviously I am not a writer in another life ;)

I have been getting inquiries as to the status of the "Blue Box".

The replacement "Blue Box" was put into service in June 2012 and while I heard there were some issues, that appeared to be operator related initially, the Fountain has basically been back in operation since.

The Week of July 4, 2012 the Fountain was operating with the patriotic Light and Sound program every evening and based on pictures I saw was operating 100% during the Jacksonville Downtown Fireworks extravaganza.

Also reports are that the patriotic music program had been updated and of course the Pergola is now in place.


More images here: http://JaxFountain.com/Gallery/pergola/

However all is not rosy as there have been recent reports of the Fountain not operating at times during the day, thanks @newzgrrl

Rick Sawyer, City of Jax, replied to my inquiry regarding these reports and let me know there are some lights not operating properly and an Electrical Contractor is working to try and determine what the problem may be, which requires that the Fountain be shut down at times.  However it should be operating with Water Features and Lights every evening.

Again my apologies for not posting sooner and thanks to those of you that have written directly, tweeted or left comments here for your interest in Friendship Fountain and your prodding to get updated information posted.

Til next time,
Bob