A proposal to shift the timing of St. Augustine’s largest music festival will be presented to the St. Augustine City Commission next month, aiming to reduce weather risk while maintaining key elements of the existing format.
While the plan is tentative, Dianya Markovits, Director of Public Relations & Partnerships at SJC Cultural Events, will recommend that the Francis Field headliner weekend of the Sing Out Loud Festival be moved from its traditional September slot to the last weekend of February, beginning next year.
The plan would keep the broader Sing Out Loud programming in September, preserving the city’s “Month of Music” while relocating the most weather-sensitive portion of the festival.
The marquee Live Wildly Showcase drew approximately 25,000 attendees and generated an estimated $9 million in economic impact last year, officials said. It also raised more than $130,000 for land conservation.
Organizers noted that nearly 88 percent of ticket buyers traveled from outside St. Johns County, with attendees coming from all 50 states and 12 countries.
September was identified as the month with the highest likelihood of Category 3 or stronger hurricanes, accounting for nearly half of such storms historically.
February, by contrast, is the least likely month for extreme weather, which backers say would reduce the risk of cancellation, ease pressure on emergency services, and improve attendee comfort.
February is also expected to offer greater artist availability.
Under the proposal, September would continue to feature four weekends of music-related programming, including local artist showcases, the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival, a record fair, music industry panels, and other community events held across multiple venues.
The ticketed Francis Field production would occur during a single February weekend, potentially aligned with existing cultural attractions including the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series and Presidents Day tourism.
The City Commission is expected to review the proposal at Monday’s meeting.
