By Chuck Hall
Historic Fernandina Business Association
March 5, 2021
Editor’s Note: It appears the Historic Fernandina Business Association (HFBA) was caught by surprise when the City of Fernandina Beach Commission approved the continuation of the mask ordinance and Sounds on Center at its March 3rd regular meeting. Board member Chuck Hall sent the following statement to the Fernandina Observer. City spokesmen expressed surprise at this statement, since the date to resume concerts was included in Sounds of Centre’s application which was filed several months ago.
“The HFBA has recently learned of the city issuing permits for the popular Sounds on Centre concerts for 2021. However, we were not expecting to be permitted as soon as April. With COVID-19 still being a health concern, we will be discussing our options, and weighing the risks/benefits of hosting a thousand people in such a small area. We ask that our thousands of fans be patient as we sort all this out. It is the Historic Fernandina Business Association’s pleasure to bring these free community concerts to downtown. Above all, we want our customers and visitors to remain healthy. We will announce our decision soon. Thanks for understanding.”