First Annual Ferry Fest Draws More Than 10,000 to Historic Mayport Village to Save the St. Johns River Ferry

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than 10,000 people turned out to show their support for the St. Johns River Ferry at the First Annual “Ferry Fest” at Historic Mayport Village recently.

The historic ferry — one of the last remaining public ferries in Florida — is in danger of closing if the Jacksonville Port Authority and Florida Gov. Rick Scott have their way, according to Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes.

For thousands of Northeast Florida residents and many more thousands of area visitors, the St. Johns River Ferry is a treasure — and an economic generator — that ought to be preserved, Messina emphasized.

Don Wilford, president of North Florida said ICI Homes which is developing Amelia National Golf and Country Club near Amelia Island and several additional luxury communities such as Tidewater in the Jacksonville area, he is proud to support the effort to save the St Johns River Ferry.

“The St. Johns River Ferry has been in operation for more than half a century,” Wilford said. “Dozens of local businesses and thousands of residents and visitors depend on it,” he said.

ICI Homes played a key role in supporting “Ferry Fest” as a key sponsor.

“The weather was perfect, five different bands played, there were 10 gourmet food trucks to keep everyone nourished and the local art-host tours of the King House and free rides on the St. Johns River Ferry were just delightful,” Messina said.

Supporters included State Representative Janet Atkins, Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, Neptune Beach Mayor Harriet Pruett, Aaron Bean, candidate for State Senate and other dignitaries who pledged to keep A1A continuous from Key West to Main via the St. Johns River Ferry.

“It was a great event, it’s a great cause, and now we need to make sure our legislators and our governor are listening,” Messina said.

About ICI Homes
ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 homebuilders in the nation. The 32+-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.