Dickens on Centre Creates Positive Economic Impact

12/16/2022

12/15/22 @ 2:30 p.m. - Last weekend, the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted the 8th Annual Dickens on Centre Event on behalf of the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council. This event transforms downtown Fernandina Beach into Victorian-era London and features live entertainment, vendors, holiday movies, giant snow globes, costumed characters, pictures with Santa and an area complete with old fashioned games for the children to enjoy. This year's event also featured a Christmas themed aerial light show with drones that was unlike anything Nassau County had ever seen before.

Did you know that this event, in addition to all the beautiful holiday lighting downtown, is funded 100% by Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds collected by lodging establishments from our out-of-towns guests? The event also has a great economic impact on our County as these visitors spend money in our stores and restaurants.

A survey following the 2021 Dickens on Centre event concluded that the economic impact to Amelia Island from off-island visitors was $4.7 million, and this year's event is expected to exceed that. With 80% of our residents working in the hospitality and service industries, many of our residents rely heavily on tourism to maintain their employment and quality of life. Even better is that Nassau County residents were able to enjoy the event and get into the holiday spirit, and at no-cost to the local taxpayers!

Below are photos from the event for your enjoyment.

To learn more about the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer