The CookOut
THE COOKOUT: UNITY ON THE BLOCK
THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING WITH US
April 18
2- 7 p.m.
What is the CookOut?
Presented by James Weldon Johnson Park and United Way of Northeast Florida, the CookOut is Jacksonville's biggest neighborhood celebration — a citywide block party that unites every corner of our community to eat, dance and celebrate in the historic heart of downtown.
From Springfield to San Marco, Durkeeville to Riverside, The CookOut transforms James Weldon Johnson Park into a living map of Jacksonville — where every neighborhood brings its flavor, energy and pride to the table.
This afternoon-to-evening festival fuses food, culture, music and wellness into one dynamic, family-friendly event that honors unity, heritage, and the rhythm of our neighborhoods.
Saturday, April 18 was a beautiful, fun-filled day that brought together you and hundreds more to celebrate unity, heritage and the rhythm of Jacksonville’s neighborhoods.
Through The CookOut: Unity on the Block, James Weldon Johnson Park and United Way of Northeast Florida set out to create a space where community and connection could thrive. You made that vision a reality, and we hope you felt the sense of unity while you were with us.
From the main stage, performers wowed and energized the crowd. Across the park, attendees participated in games and activities like the spades tournament, cornhole and Connect 4 that brought people together.
Thank you to all the speakers, performers, vendors and community partners that helped us make this day a reality! A very special thank you to the neighborhood partners who helped us bring to life nine of Jacksonville’s neighborhoods. You can find them listed below:
PERFORMERS
• DJ Dr. Doom
• Jazzco Entertainment (Line Dancing)
• KingTravELight
• In The Midst
• Sk8hers
• The Katz Downstairs (Headliner)
• Karaoke – Chaos and Control
FOOD AND VENDORS
• A Mouthful Jax
• Fae’s BBQ
• Good Food 24/7
• Hard Pressed Burgers
• Honey Drippers House
• Peanuts Deluxe
• Sunshine Poppers
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
• VyStar Credit Union
• Sporting JAX
• Jacksonville Public Library
• Alzheimer’s Association
NEIGHBORHOOD STATION PARTNERS
• Melanin Collaborative Group (Eastside)
• The Ritz Theatre and Museum (Westside)
• Jacksonville Public Library – Drucilla Young (Riverside/Avondale)
• Parents Who Lead (LaVilla/Downtown)
• Sherwood Forest Paradise Park Community Association (Northside)
• Jacksonville Sister Cities Association (Southside)
• Florida Avenue Main Street & Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation (Springfield/Eastside)
• Celebrate Arlington (Arlington)
• Southern Women Against Gun Violence (Mayport)
CookOut Highlights
Missed out on the giveaway?
We have one more prize to give out! Enter the post-CookOut giveaway by taking the “Best of Jax” survey linked below. If you win, you will be contacted by a member of the James Weldon Johnson Park team to arrange for pickup.
Enter to win