38th annual Luminaria Sponsorships
Now in its 38th year – and counting! – Riverside Avondale Preservation’s annual Luminaria event is a longstanding testament to the pride and dedication that neighbors and strangers alike have for this special community.
Because Luminaria continues to have a lasting legacy in Riverside and Avondale it may be difficult to grasp just how much support is needed to ensure this event continues to be successful each holiday season. We are grateful that for this year’s event we’ve had the support of local businesses that understand the importance of centering community – a main tenant of RAP’s mission.
To all the sponsors of Luminaria 2022, thank you for not only for this event but also for the most special area of our city! Take a moment to learn more about the supporters of this year’s event:
Starlight Sponsor
We would like to thank VyStar Credit Union for being this year’s top sponsor! A longtime Luminaria supporter, VyStar is not-for-profit and member-owned, meaning they serve their members, not shareholders. If you are just starting out, looking for a loan, interested in retirement planning or have any other financial needs, VyStar is committed to working to improve the lives of their members and communities they serve.
Candlelight Sponsors
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Located in The Shoppes of Avondale, Berkshire Hathaway knows all the ins and outs of buying or selling a home in the historic district. Their office is also the leader in the condominium market in Riverside, Avondale, Downtown, and Ortega. We’d like to say a special thank you to one of their trusted agents, Elizabeth Loftin, who is serving as the current chair of RAP’s Luminaria Committee.
Buying or selling is so much more than just a transaction and working with Cady is like working with a trusted friend. As people who love where they live, the entire team has built an impressive network throughout the city to find the clients the home of their dreams and get them to the closing table.
A lot of work goes into making a house feel like a home. If you find yourself needing some help with this, look no further than Cowford Realty & Design. Experts in realty, interior design, and property management, Cowford will meet your home needs with care, creativity, collaboration, and connection.
Your local one-stop shop for all things home, garden, and children, Cultivate has something for everyone on your list this year that you can feel good about giving. They are committed to stocking the shop with a curated variety of eco-friendly, American made lifestyle items. In addition to supporting small businesses through their products, they also hold community events and workshops. Be sure to check out their website to stay up-to-date about upcoming offerings.
For decades, family-owned and operated European Street Café has been a Jacksonville staple. Their commitment to a one-of-a-kind dining experience in an environment that feels like home has made them one of Northeast Florida’s most popular restaurants. Be sure to visit one of their three locations – Riverside, San Marco, and Jacksonville Beach – to get a taste of Deutschland that’s been enjoyed by so many in the community since the 1990s.
Even the most knowledgeable of Jacksonville’s history buffs could learn a thing or two from a tour by Go Tuk’n. Guests can choose from a variety of tours throughout the city and ride along while taking a deep dive into the hidden gems of our beloved city. We personally recommend the Riverside and Avondale tour. Be sure to check out their website for ride information as well as booking for private or corporate events!
When Cool Moose Café opened their doors in 1998, they were on a mission to offer good coffee, food and a friendly environment to the Riverside neighborhood. Locals quickly fell in love, and today when you walk into Cool Moose it feels like a community place where everybody knows your name. With something for every breakfast or coffee aficionado, be sure to stop be Cool Moose – once you get there you’ll want to stay awhile.
In-Kind Sponsors
For more than 45 years Marietta Sand Corporation has been a leading sand supplier to businesses and contractors all throughout Northeast Florida. Thank you to Marietta for their generous sand donation which is being used to fill each Luminaria bag in 2022!
The Resident is a monthly, community-focused newspaper, covering Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill, San Marco, San Jose, and St. Nicholas. As the only news source for Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhoods, they are committed to serving these communities by providing accurate, up-to-date information to their citizens.
There’s a high likelihood if you see a bike in the neighborhood that it came from Zen Cog. Since opening their doors in 2009 they have been committed to being a resource for anyone in the market for a bike, needing help with repairs, and all things riding. We would like to say a special thank you to Zen Cog for donating this year’s Luminaria raffle bike and for leading a ride through the neighborhood on the night of Luminaria.
