Sparks in the Park and Downtown Countdown Return, COVID Safety Protocols Encouraged; Events Live Streamed
Press release from City of Gainesville
Sparks in the Park and the Downtown Countdown are back, so come out and celebrate with us or join us virtually! All festivities are free and open to the public, and there is something for everyone!
To help ensure public health and safety, neighbors are encouraged to practice social distancing at the both events. Hand sanitizing stations and masks will also be available for use.
Enjoy the concert and fireworks from the comfort of your living room!
The concert will be live streamed on the Free Fridays Concert page at: https://www.facebook.com/freefridaysconcertseries
Fireworks can viewed on the Deport Park facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/depot.park
Sparks in the Park: Kick off your night at 5 p.m. at Depot Park! Bring blankets and chairs and find a spot in the park to enjoy the last sunset of 2021, while a DJ hosts a family-friendly dance party throughout the entire park. At 6:30 p.m., the fun continues with Sparks in the Park, a 20-minute musically choreographed fireworks show over the main pond. Following the fireworks display, neighbors are invited to enjoy dinner, drinks, festivities, and all that downtown has to offer.
Parking: The Depot Park parking lot will be designated for ADA parking only, main parking will be the overflow parking lot on SE 4th St. Downtown also has parking options and is only a 5-minute walk. We highly encourage using public transit, biking, or ride-sharing to our 15 min loading lot on Depot Ave.
Downtown Countdown: Our holiday celebration continues with our Downtown Countdown concert, which starts at 9 p.m. and continues until midnight in Bo Diddley Plaza.
Our annual New Year’s Eve concert returns with opening act Decyo McDuffie with the Larry Newcomb Quartet and headliner King Eddie and Pili Pili! First up, it’s Decyo McDuffie, the young man who has become one of Gainesville’s hottest breakout stars! Then, authentic island reggae the way it is meant to be played by the legendary King Eddie, who has been making magic for over thirty years as Florida’s first authentic reggae artist! These two acts were summer sensations on the Plaza stage and we bring them back to ring in the New Year with jazz and reggae!