Apopka DRC reviews eight special-event applications for Amphitheater; city will seek council sign-off on New Year’s Eve open-container request

The Apopka Development Review Committee on Dec. 17 reviewed eight special-event permit requests for the Apopka Amphitheater and other city sites, including multi‑day and single‑day music festivals, school performances and community races. Organizers outlined security, staffing and parking plans and staff noted some items will require city‑council approval.

The events include a ticketed “Throwback Reunion” (ARA Promotions) planned for March 14, 2026, which the organizer said is “expecting about 5,000 people” and will use private security (Gator Guards) and off‑duty officers with parking on Barbecue Road and surrounding complex areas. Duderman Productions proposed a March 17 country show featuring Lee Bryce, expecting about 3,000 attendees; Jade Events proposed an R&B Music Fest Orlando for March 28 with roughly 3,500 attendees; and Apopka High School presented its Orange Blossom Jazz Festival April 10–11 (about 2,500 expected, no alcohol). Other requests included a UB40 reggae concert on April 15 (about 1,500 expected) that asked for an extended curfew, a Bahia Shriners 5K at Northwest Recreation (about 250 expected), a Victory Church World Outreach 5K (about 200 expected) and a city‑organized New Year’s Eve Fifth Street ball drop (about 500 expected).

Why it matters: the permit reviews focus on public safety, traffic and policing resources. Organizers uniformly reported plans for private security and supplemental off‑duty police for events with alcohol; staff and departmental reviewers asked for additional submittals (detailed security plans, access gates and updated maps) and confirmed that items requiring changes to public rights of way or open‑container allowances would go to city council.

Departmental checks and next steps: Community Development staff asked applicants to upload corrected or supplemental materials to the city’s OpenGov portal; Public Works and Fire had routine questions for staging, ingress/egress and hydrant access as needed. The New Year’s Eve request included a road closure (5th Street between Park and Central) and an open‑container allowance; staff said the map would be updated for the council presentation and the open‑container request will be forwarded for additional approvals.

The DRC did not take formal motions on the permits during the meeting; staff instructed applicants to resubmit required exhibits and to coordinate with police, fire and public‑works staff before final approvals or council review.