JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Rapper and comedian Lil Duval returned to his hometown of Jacksonville to host the 9th annual “Duval Day” community event.
The entertainer made a commitment to always give back to his community since becoming a comedian, and this is his way of honoring it.
"Everybody gets to make money in my hood,” Duval said. “It’s really like flowing money into the ecosystem. Everybody makes money but I’m the only one spending money but at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about.”
Lil Duval is entering his 25th year of stand-up comedy and said he never forgot where he started.
"From day one, I’ve always vowed that whatever I do want to bring it back to the city and that’s what I’ve been doing stuff for schools to bookbag drives to the to the Pop Warner Football Teams to everything,” he said.
Duval said his event was filling a void for the community.
“When I grew up we had ‘Come Together Day,’ then that went away. So it was nothing for the community. So I felt like we need something for the community, something that’s safe, something that’s fun, just to have a good time,” Duval said.
The event is a place where local businesses and food trucks can participate. It’s a safe environment for children and adults to enjoy fun, food and contests.
“We got people from all over the country coming just here to the city so don’t make me look bad out here. This is for us. I’m trying to make us look good out here. Don’t make me look crazy. Do not mess my party up but we gone have a good time,” Duval said.
Duval Day is Saturday, July 13 from noon to 9 p.m. at 905 Myrtle Avenue.