JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An affiliate of the Jacksonville Jaguars has agreed to buy the current fairgrounds property.
That means Jacksonville’s Fair will be getting a big facelift in years to come — moving to Jacksonville’s westside.
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An agreement between the Jacksonville Fairgrounds was reached with Iguana Investments Florida, LLC — a development company owned by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan.
Iguana will eventually buy the fairgrounds property. As for the fairgrounds, a brand new facility will be built on Jacksonville’s Westside next to the Jacksonville Equestrian Center.
Bill Olson is the President and CEO of the Jacksonville Fairgrounds.
“It’s a great thing for the fair, because it’s going to allow us to grow like we want to grow and have plenty of parking,” Olson said.
Olson said a bigger area means more attractions, more music and more space for fairgoers to park.
“Over the years, in the current location we’ve had our fair share of challenges — with everything going on in the sports complex during the fair with parking and traffic,” Olson said.
Currently, the fairgrounds property is around 15 acres. Olson said the fair also leases another 15 acres from the city — making the current space around 30 acres.
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The new facility will cover 80 acres, but the fair will also be utilizing the Jacksonville Equestrian Center — which is another 60 acres.
The fair will run in its current location for at least two more years. The goal is to move to the westside in the spring of 2024.
“It’s bittersweet,” Olson said. “We’ve been here almost 70 years in this area. Change is good sometimes, and I think this change will be great for the fair.”
The Jacksonville Fair returns in November and has been running since 1955.
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