VyStar Pavilion opens at Anchor Park with Sunset Jazz Festival

PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (WTOC) - The VyStar Pavilion at Anchor Park opened Saturday for its first ticketed event, the Sunset Jazz Festival, marking the debut of the 5,200-seat venue in Port Wentworth.

Mayor Tracy Saunders said the development is key to the city’s growth.

“This is the beginning of a brand new future for the city,” Saunders said. “We are not just a drive-through town anymore — we have a destination that will attract families with a huge variety of interests, and we are super excited about it opening tonight.”

Hotel stays, restaurant visits, and retail spending tied to concerts and events at VyStar Pavilion are expected to support local businesses and strengthen the city’s Hotel/Motel Tax revenues, funds that are reinvested into community and tourism improvements.

The pavilion is part of a 150-acre sports and entertainment complex that will also include the Ice Cove, a new training facility for the Savannah Ghost Pirates.

City Manager Steve Davis said the opening reflects years of collaboration.

“We aren’t just opening a venue, we’re beginning a new chapter in our city,” Davis said. “This day represents a community that dared to dream big and work together. This would not be possible without the bold vision of our Mayor and City Council and the unwavering commitment of our partners who helped us turn an ambitious idea into a reality.”