Promoter's $1,000 Unvaccinated Ticket Idea Shot Down By VFW

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Critics pummeled the social media accounts of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 39 in St. Pete for an announcement a music promoter made that violates the vaccine passport ban signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Paul Williams, a promoter with Leadfoot Promotions, leased the concert room from the VFW 39, 2599 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, for a punk rock show featuring three bands. Tickets for the June 26 event are being advertised as $18 in advance, $20 at the door.

The caveat is if you're unvaccinated, the promoter wants to charge you $1,000 for a ticket.

In a Facebook event post, Williams said, "To be eligible for the discount, you will need to bring a government issued photo ID and your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (if you have lost it keep reading, we got you). You will need to have had your second shot of Pfizer or Moderna, or your single shot of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on or before 6/12/2021."

The thousand-dollar-ticket promo drew attention on social media, and the VFW Post had to clarify concert plans.

Patch stopped by the VFW 39 Tuesday and asked how the promotion would work since it goes against the executive order that DeSantis signed May 3. The ban on vaccine passports in Florida prevents schools, government agencies and businesses from requiring people to show documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccinations or post-infection recovering before going inside an establishment.

Commander Janice Pettit of the VFW 39 told Patch post leaders plan to meet with Williams Wednesday afternoon.

"The VFW is not allowed to go above an executive order," she said. "And the promoter can't either. It's not happening at our VFW."

Pettit said Williams came up with the idea before DeSantis signed the vaccine passport ban.

Posters the promoter hung in the venue were also taken down that read, "Discount with proof of vaccination! $999 flat rate for those without."

The VFW has been flooded with emails and phone calls complaining about the hefty ticket price, and having to show COVID-19 vaccine records for a discount. Pettit said she had to temporarily take down the organization's Facebook page because people were so unhappy about the stunt.

VFW Chairman Mike O'Neill said it wasn't the group asking $1,000 for tickets. "The VFW doesn't control what a promoter charges after they have contracted a performance space at the VFW."

"We’re just trying to do a show safely" Williams told WFTS. "And they should go out and get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families and their community."

Williams told the TV station he had less than a week to come up with a plan to book the show, and thought giving a discount for people who were vaccinated would be a good incentive.

The show will feature punk bands Teenage Bottlerocket, Make War and Rutterkin. For tickets, click here.

Related Patch Story: Law Bans FL Vaccine Passports, DeSantis Suspends COVID Orders