The 2024 events will be notable for many reason. Some events will see their conclusion, other events may be moving, and some events will be lost to other locales.
In this post-covid, high inflation world, the great events that we’ve enjoyed in the past are either changing or ending. The news is grim here on the Space Coast for event enthusiasts.
But, let’s start with the good news first:
The Space Coast ComicCon will return in full force to the Space Coast Convention Center. Okay, it’s really just the ballroom (and not a very big one) of the Holiday Inn Express on the corner of 95 and 520 in Cocoa, FL.
Side note: why wasn’t the old Sears property in Downtown Melbourne turned into a real convention center. More on this in a later article.
The Melbourne Art Fest will be held once again in Wickham Park in April. Once again, I am begging the Art Fest committee to figure out how to handle the band stand. Please turn the band stand 90 degrees to the left to face the multiple pavilions in that direction and not face the lake. The fish will not enjoy the music as much as the people dining and resting in the shade of the pavilions.
As the stage has been setup for the last couple of years, the majority of attendees don’t even know there are any bands at the Art Fest. While we are on the subject, is it really out of the question to bring back the Art Fest Saturday night concert? There’s a big amphitheater sitting over there empty, just begging for some Saturday night action.
The Grant Seafood Fest and the Grant BBQ Fest will be taking place as usual this year also. I’m glad all those people saying “this is the new normal” when these events were cancelled were completely and undeniably wrong.
The Native Rhythms Festival and the Downtown Melbourne Food Festival have already announced their 2024 dates. This is a good sign for how strong and well received these events are.
The dates and locations of all of the above events can be found here on my Festivals & Events page.
Now for the Bad News:
As you might have heard, the Brevard Renaissance Fair has been kicked out of Wickham Park for 2025 and beyond by County Commissioner of District 4, Rob Feltner and the rest of the Brevard County Commission.
Many actions are taking place to try to reverse the decision of the County Commission, but if they are not successful there will be no Brevard Renaissance Fair in 2025. For all the latest details on this unfolding saga, look to the Brevard Renaissance Fair Facebook page.
Speaking of lost events, neither Cocoa Beach nor Titusville nor Melbourne will have an Airshow in 2024. The airshow that was last held in Melbourne moved permanently to the Sanford airport a few years ago. On the bright side, both Cocoa Beach and Titusville will host airshows in 2025.
The Crossfit Eastern Quarterfinal, which was held at the Orange County Convention Center in 2023, moved to Knoxville, Tennessee for 2024. The Mr. Olympia, which was also held at the Orange County Convention Center, will be moving back to Las Vegas for the 2024 season.
Last but not least, 2024 will be the last year that the Florida Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion will be hosted by the VVB (Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard). This team has been hosting this great event for 36 years in Wickham Park. Initially, this event was to be done after 2024, but according to their website: “A new group of younger vets are taking the reins in 2025 but the reunion will happen”. This is good news and a good time to wrap this rundown.