Volusia County sets up special event zones for Memorial Day weekend

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — In anticipation of pop-up events along Volusia County beaches, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Ormond Beach have set up special event zones along A1A.

Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood has sent cease-and-desist letters to two event promoters regarding unsanctioned, unpermitted events for this weekend and warns the promoters they will be met with strict enforcement of all laws, with enhanced penalties.

The “Orlando Invades Daytona” and “Beach Day” events have been circulating on social media, for Saturday, May 27.

In Sheriff Chitwood’s cease-and-desist letters to the promoters, he writes that the pop-up events, “puts an unreasonable strain on the already burdened law enforcement, medical, firefighter and beach safety resources of Volusia County.”

He goes on to say, “This is not the professional or legal way to go about promoting an event which doesn’t burden a county’s resources and is safe and enjoyable for all.”

Starting Saturday morning the special event zone will run along A1A from Plaza Boulevard south to Dunlawton Avenue, including the beach, then west on Dunlawton Avenue to South Peninsula Drive, then north on South Peninsula Drive until it turns into North Halifax Avenue, north to Peninsula Boulevard, then east on Plaza Boulevard to A1A.

Fines for violations committed within the special event zone will be doubled and people commiting traffic violations within the special event zone could also have their vehicle impounded for up to 72-hours.

Under a Florida law passed in 2022, local sheriffs can designate a particular area as a “special event zone” in response to any unpermitted activity or event promoted through social media.

Click here for more details on Volusia County Special Event Zones.

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