GREEN COVE SPRINGS —Even after the Soul Food and Music Festival has wrapped, vendors have closed and the crowd has dwindled down, Felecia and Clarence Hampshire are always looking forward to the next one.

The go to sleep dreaming of ways to make each festival the best one yet and wake up putting those plans into action. For them, the show never stops. That's because their passion for their community keeps them coming back for more each year.

"I look forward to it every year because it brings me a sense of joy," said Felecia, the former Mayor of Green Cove Springs. "I love seeing people in their element. I love seeing people happy."

As festival coordinators, they said there's a lot in store for this year's annual free event at Vera Francis Hall Park on Oct. 3, including vendors, food trucks, a parade and live music.

The two said they invite the community to come out and join the party from noon to 7 p.m.

For 25 years, the festival has grown from humble beginnings to become a staple community event. 

Officially established in 2002, the event was a combined effort by a group of community volunteers called "BATCOP" (Breaking Away the Cycle of Pain).  Spearheaded by the Hampshires, John Sanders, Delphine Williams, Donna Reese, Mary Ford and Matthew Tinney, the group aimed to bring something positive for youth and revitalize the city. The Hampshires said they resumed annual duties in 2003.

While Vera Francis Hall Park was originally the city dump, the group fought to transform it into a community park. The events that were later held there laid the foundation for the first Soul Food Festival event.

With the help of a growing number of volunteers, what began as just a few tents along the rim of the park blossomed into the highly anticipated festivities the community knows today. And entertainment was added as a way to keep people engaged.

From just 100 attendees the first year, the festival has grown into a major regional draw now boasting 3,000 to 5,000 visitors.

"The community thrives because it helps," Felecia said.

This year's festivities will begin with the Soul Food Parade, which will follow along Palmetto Avenue and west on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard beginning at noon. Its Grand Marshal will be legendary former Clay High track and football coach Ron Riddle. He taught at the school for 37 years and was one of the first Black educators in the state of Florida.

The Honorary Grand Marshal is Herbert Wilbert, a former Orange Park High and Orange Park Athletic Association softball, baseball and football coach.

In the 1970s, Wilbert, known for his passionate coaching and mentorship, built unity and brotherhood on a predominately white team during a time of heightened racism.  He was inducted into the African-American Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019.

Wilbert passed away in 2024.

"These men made a difference in the lives of so many young people," Felecia said. 

Once inside the park, attendees will be able to eat grub from dozens of food trucks and shop from various vendors. Live performers will include the Levert Experience, Royale, DJ Calico, the 69 Boyz and Liz Owens. There will also be a Michael Jackson Tribute Dance, a Kool and the Gang tribute from the Special Formula Band and a Gospel Hour.

Other scheduled activities include a sweet potato pie contest, a dance and Spades contest, a barbecue ribs cook-off, a horseshoe toss and a Children's Fun Zone.

There will also be some new additions this year, Felecia said. Along with a new banana pudding contest, Humana will sponsor a misting tent for elderly individuals. While they will need to bring their own chairs, Humana will provide snacks during the day. And this year, the Fun Zone will be on the softball field and include bounce houses.

The 2026 Soul Food and Music Festival Queen will also be crowned during the opening ceremony.

For the Hampshires, the festival has remained a way to bring a little joy to the community one dance and flavorful bite at a time.

"Every year, it's getting better and better," Clarence said.