Lions Seafood Festival this weekend

The 28th Annual seafood festival sponsored by the St. Augustine Lions Club tops the list of weekend activities in a report to Historic City News from Communications Director Jay Humphreys of the St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: March 13-15

28th ANNUAL LIONS CLUB SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Get ready for great seafood nearly any way you want it; tap your toes to live bluegrass, folk and country music; then shop for unique arts and crafts presented by more then 100 exhibitors. This three-day event is a favorite throughout northeast Florida and features tons of delicious seafood, outstanding music and affordable arts & crafts. The event has fun for all ages, so bring the kids. The Lions Club Seafood Festival takes place at Francis Field on Castillo Drive in St. Augustine. Festival hours are Friday 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit Lions Club charities. Admission is $2 per person, children under 15 are free. For more information, call 904.825.0850

LIMELIGHT THEATRE: THE MIRACLE WORKER

Enjoy a classic story as Limelight Theatre presents William Gibson’s spin on the tale of Helen Keller, cut off from the world through deafness and blindness, and Anne Sullivan, the woman who yearns to set her free. The show takes place on the Matuza Main Stage at Limelight Theatre, located at 11 Old Mission Road in St. Augustine. Show times are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. matinees only. The Miracle Worker will be performed through April 4. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $20 for students and military. For more information, call 904.825.1164

DARK OF THE MOON TOUR

Venture into the Keepers’ House and Tower at night, learn about the history of the St. Augustine Light Station, listen to paranormal tales and experience darkness inside the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The tours are conducted at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $25 per adult and $20 per child. Children must be at least 7 years old and 44 inches tall to climb the tower. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information, call Faith at 904.829.0745 x207

Saturday: March 14

SPANISH NIGHTWATCH

Step back in time and experience the War of Jenkins Ear (1739-1743) in St. Augustine as authentic re-enactors at the Castillo de San Marcos re-create the night of June 25, 1740 when Spanish troops scored at stunning victory over the British in a counterattack at Fort Mose. Military activities begin at 10 a.m. with musketry demonstrations on the South Lawn of the Castillo de San Marcos, the massive Spanish fort that has protected the city since 1695. During the day, cannons will be fired from the Castillo at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. From 2 to 3 p.m., Spanish military demonstrations, including musket firing and bayonet drills, will take place on the North Lawn of the Castillo. Nightwatch gets underway at 7:45 p.m. when an impressive barrage of cannon fire from the Castillo will light the night sky and signal the beginning of a torchlight parade of soldiers that will wind its way from the fort to the City Gate where a changing of the guard and musket firing will take place. The procession will then proceed down St. George Street to the Plaza de la Constitucion and the Cathedral where their military flags will receive a blessing. The Plaza will then ring with the firing of a volley of joy in honor of the King of Spain. The public is encouraged to bring a candle and join the parade. For more information, call 904.829.6506 x233

WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY IN CONCERT AT THE ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE

Enjoy a live performance by Willie Nelson with special guest Jamey Johnson at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Nelson’s six decade-long career in the music business has earned him the title ”living legend”. After writing early classics such as “Hello Walls” and the much-recorded “Crazy,” Nelson found his own solid footing as a performer in the 1970s. The 1975 album Red Headed Stranger established him as a musician of the first rank. Nelson’s long list of awards includes two special Grammies (the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Legend award) and the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award from The Academy of Country Music for “unprecedented and genre-defying contributions to popular music.” The gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A South in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.471.1965

Sunday: March 15

JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WITH PAUL GALBRAITH

Experience the final concert of EMMA’s 30th season of afternoon presentations with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra featuring Paul Galbraith as guitar soloist. Galbraith is unique in that he plays an eight-string guitar instead of the usual six-string, an instrument, which he designed himself. The performance begins at 2 p.m. at the Flagler College Auditorium located at 14 Granada Street in St. Augustine. Tickets are $30 per person. For more information, call 904.797.2800

ALL-COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION

Add some art to your Sunday by viewing the best creations by students from Allen Nease, Bartram Trail, Creekside, Pedro Menendez, Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine high schools. More than 100 pieces created by students will be on display daily at the St. Augustine Art Association, 22 Marine Street, through the month of March. Admission is free. For more information, call the Art Association at 904.824.2310

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to Government House Museum, the Lightner Museum, the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, the Fountain of Youth, the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, and the Spanish Military Hospital Museum and the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Authentic Old Drug Store, Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Photios Chapel, the Peña-Peck House and the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum.