“Do you know what’s going to happen tonight in St. Simons and Jekyll and all those places where those Dawg people have $400 condos….” ~Larry Munson on the radio after UGA defeated UF in 1980
Back in the ’70s and ’80s, St. Simons wasn’t just crowded the week of the Georgia-Florida game, it was hopping! There were golf tournaments on St. Simons, Jekyll Island, and in Brunswick early in the week. Starting on Wednesday, folks would roll into town and parties at private homes would begin. And at some point, Thursday, Friday, or Game Day, you would end up at Emmeline & Hessie, the famous local restaurant located at the Golden Isles Marina.
David and friends at UGA 1979
I worked at E&H my senior year of high school, shucking oysters at the raw bar. During GA/FL week, the restaurant and wrap-around bar would both be packed full and there would be 500 people standing out on the deck partying and dancing. The restaurant closed in 1993 and things have toned down a bit over the years since then, but GA/FL week is still important to the Golden Isles. It’s basically the Super Bowl for our local economy. According to Scott McQuade, President & CEO of the Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau, GA/FL weekend has an economic impact of between $4- $6 million for our area. Restaurants, bars, and retail shops on SSI will still be busy Wednesday-Sunday and they count on this week to help get them through the “off season.”
In recent years, there has again been talk about moving the game out of Jacksonville and alternating home and away games at the schools’ campuses in Athens and Gainesville, FL. Fortunately, the UGA and UF athletic directors agreed earlier this summer to keep the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” in Jacksonville at least through the 2025 season.
As important as it is for the Dawgs to win the game, it’s every bit as important for our local economy for the GA/FL game to stay in Jacksonville. College football is big business and the big rivalry game has been an important part of the island’s history and our economy. Let’s hope it stays that way!
