POETIC KICKBACK FESTIVAL

Jacksonville's Poetry and Performance Festival Lands in Springfield

The Poetic Kickback Festival transforms B&Sun Arts and Culture Center into a celebration of spoken word, visual art, and movement on Saturday, September 26th at noon. This all-ages gathering brings together Jacksonville's creative community for an afternoon that blends performance poetry with dance and visual installations. The midday start means natural light floods the space, creating an energetic atmosphere that carries well into the evening.

What to Expect:
B&Sun Arts and Culture Center serves as the perfect backdrop for this multi-disciplinary festival, offering both indoor and outdoor spaces for performances and installations. The event draws poets, dancers, and visual artists from across Northeast Florida, creating an environment where different art forms intersect and feed off each other. Expect a crowd that ranges from dedicated poetry fans to curious first-timers, all drawn by the festival's open and welcoming approach to creative expression.

Insider Tips:
- Arrive by 11:45 to claim a good spot for the opening performances and get oriented with the venue layout
- Bring cash for any vendor booths or artist merchandise tables that might be set up
- The festival runs during peak afternoon heat, so dress light and stay hydrated
- Outdoor seating areas fill up quickly between performances, making them ideal spots to chat with artists
- Check the festival's social channels the day before for the performance schedule and any special guest announcements
- Comfortable shoes matter since attendees typically move between different performance spaces throughout the day

Getting There:
B&Sun Arts and Culture Center sits on Myrtle Avenue North in Jacksonville's Springfield neighborhood, accessible via Kings Road and Main Street. The Duval County Health Department Parking Lot on Boulevard offers public parking about a 15-minute walk from the venue, though street parking along Myrtle Avenue and surrounding blocks provides closer options if available. The Springfield area features a grid layout that makes navigation straightforward, with numbered streets running east-west and named avenues running north-south. The venue sits roughly a mile and a half from downtown Jacksonville, making it a quick drive from the city center. Those coming from I-95 can exit at 8th Street and head east toward Main Street before turning north.

Local Scene:
Springfield's evolving food scene offers several options within reasonable distance of the festival. McDonald's on North Davis Street sits about a 10-minute walk away for those wanting something quick and familiar before the noon start. Popeyes on Kings Road provides another fast option roughly 15 minutes on foot. For a different vibe entirely, Engine 15 Biergarten on Beaver Street offers craft beer and outdoor seating about 20 minutes away, making it a solid post-festival spot for those wanting to decompress and discuss the performances. The Springfield neighborhood itself continues to develop its identity as an arts district, with several galleries and creative spaces scattered throughout the historic blocks. The festival's September timing catches the tail end of summer heat but avoids the peak tourist season, giving it a distinctly local flavor.