Jacksonville parents, it’s time to step up. A disturbing social media flyer is making the rounds, calling teens to a so-called “Fight Fest” at Friendship Fountain on Saturday, August 2nd at 4:30 PM.

This past Saturday night, a similar event occurred and Eye wrote about it here: Where were the parents?

Let’s break down what this new event’s flyer is stating:

• “Fight Fest” is exactly what it sounds like—a gathering where kids square off in pre-planned brawls while others film for social media clout.
• “All fades will be caught” means every fight will be recorded. “Catch a fade” is slang for getting punched or beaten up.
• “No jumping” is street code telling attendees not to gang up on one person. One-on-one fights only.
• “Leave the weapons” might seem like a good sign—until you realize it confirms weapons are normally expected at these kinds of events.
• And yes, they’re even providing “cold water and Band-Aids”—because they know there will be injuries.

You can’t make this up.

This is not a harmless “kids being kids” moment. It’s a public brawl being marketed like a pop-up concert. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is aware of this and is preparing a response. But why should law enforcement have to babysit our landmarks because kids are turning them into battlegrounds?

Our public spaces—like the newly renovated Friendship Fountain—should be places of beauty and pride, not backdrops for violence and chaos.

Eye is calling on Mayor Donna Deegan to hold a press conference immediately and condemn these “Fight Fests” before someone gets seriously hurt—or worse. This is not just about safety. It’s about order, respect, and holding people accountable.

This is not time to be nice. It’s time to call it out. Loudly. Unapologetically. Demand action, not make excuses about kids needing love. What they need now is a good old days “accountability for their conduct.” She needs to tell parents it’s time to start parenting. And she needs to support our Sheriff and give him all the help he needs to keep the peace and throw the organizers out of our city (if they are out of town bad guys causing trouble) or if they live here – throw them in jail and throw away the key. They are chaos creators, period!

Jacksonville deserves better. Our children deserve structure, our parks deserve peace, and our citizens deserve a city where they feel safe.

Let’s stop normalizing chaos. Pass this along. Keep your kids home. And demand your city take a stand.