To kick off the city’s 200th birthday weekend celebrations, Jacksonville Magazine is hosting the Bicentennial Bash, an evening showcasing the history, beauty and culture of Northeast Florida. The upscale cocktail soiree will feature locally sourced food, hometown craft cocktails and beer, live music, a photo booth, cigar bar, champagne wall, fundraising silent auction, historical presentations featuring rarely seen photos, and special interactive entertainment created specifically to mark the occasion of Jacksonville’s Bicentennial. In addition, guests will be treated to exclusive party swag bags and other take-home mementos. Plus, each attendee will have the opportunity to leave a message in our Bicentennial Time Capsule.

A chorus from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts will officially open the evening with the singing of the National Anthem. The music continues throughout the evening with two bands—Love & Theft playing acoustic country sets and the Darren Ronan Trio playing jazz and pop classics. Local author, historian and Jax historical treasure Dr. Wayne Wood will present a Bicentennial retrospective featuring rarely seen images from the city’s past.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served and there will be delish eats from a select group of local foodie favorites. Plus, there will be specialty cocktails courtesy of Manifest Distilling and cold brews from Ancient City Brewing. Guests will also be treated a champagne wall and cigar bar. Don’t leave without taking some pictures at the Photo Booth, or bidding on silent auction items benefitting the Jacksonville Historical Society. And don’t forget about the special Bicentennial Bash “swag” bag as you leave. 

Among the unique interactive stations for guests is a one-of-a-kind painting directed by local artist Holly Blanton. Each guest is invited to add a “thumbprint” leaf to the Bicentennial Oak, creating a finished work of art to commemorate the special occasion. In addition, guests may leave a message in the Bicentennial Bash Time Capsule, an air-tight steel tube that will be sealed and stored, only to be opened years in the future. There’s also the opportunity to sponsor a tree that will be planted in the Bicentennial Grove, a public space that will mark the occasion of the city’s 200th birthday for decades to come.

Tickets

All admissions include access to the specialty cocktail and beer bars, complimentary cigar, keepsake photos from the photo booth, light bites and swag bags. Ticket upgrades include added benefits posted here.

$75 • Silver

Commemorative Print of the Bicentennial Oak painting

$150 • Gold

Commemorative Print of the Bicentennial Oak painting

Bottle of Bicentennial Stamped Citrus Vodka from Manifest Distilling

$200 • Platinum

Commemorative Print of the Bicentennial Oak painting

Bottle of Bicentennial Stamped Spirit from Manifest Distilling

Sponsorship for a Tree to be planted in the Bicentennial Grove