Bill Abare to be knighted

Historic City News will be on hand when William T. Abare Jr., Ed.D., president of Flagler College, will be knighted by the Official St. Augustine Royal Family and Easter Festival Committee during the 52nd Annual Knighting Ceremony on Saturday, March 19th at the Queen Isabella Park on St. George Street.

The purpose of the ceremony is to honor those who have contributed greatly to the community by their hard work, generosity and leadership.

The ceremony includes a presentation of a medal, plaque and a sword-to-shoulder Knighting by the current Royal Family Queen Mariana.

Prior Knighting recipients include Rep. Bill Proctor, Herbie Wiles, former State Rep. Doug Wiles, Sheriff David Shoar, former Sheriff Neil Perry, Ken Amaro, Jack Wilson, Janelle Pomar Whaley, Dr. Joe Shelley, former Mayor Len Weeks, former State Rep. Hamilton Upchurch, Bob Webb Sr., and Ray Ashton, among others.

“I am deeply honored to have been invited to participate in the Knighting ceremony, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to take part in an event that is among the greatest traditions of the Easter season in St. Augustine,” Abare said.

The Royal Family of St. Augustine portrays the ruling family in Spain in 1672. Traveling to out-of-town appearances in period dress, the Royal Family appears in the annual Easter Festivities and helps to promote and spread the heritage of the city.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer