Bridge of Lions 5k run this weekend

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys informed St. Johns County entertainment reporters at Historic City News that this will be a great weekend for the Bridge Of Lions 5k Run and many events on the water.

Friday: July 15

SUNSET/MOONRISE TOUR

Enjoy the sunset and moonrise from the most unique perspective in all of St. Augustine – the top of the Lighthouse! This special event includes a champagne toast, provided by San Sebastian Winery, hors d’oeuvres from The Reef and an informative overview of the history of the St. Augustine Light Station. The tour takes place from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the St. Augustine Lighthouse located at 81 Lighthouse Avenue. The fee is $25 for non-museum members and $20 for members. Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 904.829.0745 or visit www.StAugustineLighthouse.com.

FULL MOON SAIL

Go on an unforgettable sail beneath the full moon aboard the beautiful Schooner Freedom. The schooner departs from the St. Augustine City Marina at 8:45 p.m. – all passengers for this wonderful voyage need to check in by 8:15 p.m. The cost is only $35 per person and includes free beverages and live music. For more information and required reservations, call 904.810.1010.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: July 15-17

El CONQUISTADOR THRILL RIDE

Go for a thrilling, high-speed, one-hour ride across Matanzas Bay aboard El Conquistador, St. Augustine’s newest thrill ride. Narrated tour features history, speed and fun aboard this powerful speedboat. El Conquistador departs from the City Marina’s Slip 73. Tickets are $39.50 for adults and $29.50 for children (ages 4-12). Free for active duty military. Special rates for groups of eight or more. For safety reasons, children under four and pregnant women are not allowed onboard. For information and reservations, go to www.elconspeedboat.com or call 904.738.4695.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATER

Experience the first theater on St. Augustine’s St. George Street since a terrible fire destroyed the Genovar Opera House in 1914. The St. Augustine Murder Mystery Theatre features a great meal and great live entertainment daily with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. and an evening show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $43.15 each. For more information, call 904.671.2508 or go to www.StAugustineMurderMysteryDinnerTheater.com.

YACHT OF FUN

Have a captain and a fun-equipped 22-foot boat at your service from dawn to dusk! Yacht of Fun takes up to six people on a full day of whatever passengers prefer – fishing, swimming, stopping at waterfront restaurants, sunning – you name it. The boat leaves from St. Augustine and offers the perfect way to spend a day. The rate is $60 per person for a party of six. For more information, go to www.yachtoffun.net or call Cap’n Mike at 352.246.3836

BEACH HORSEBACK RIDING

Experience the fun and excitement of horseback riding at the edge of the sea. Country Carriages offer daily one-hour rides (weather and tides permitting) from Surfside Park on Vilano Beach. The cost is $75 per person. For reservations (a must) and more information, call 904.826.1982.

Saturday and Sunday: July 16 & 17

CATAMARAN TOURS

Hop aboard St. Augustine Eco Tour’s stable 27′ Stiletto Catamaran for a personal journey into the local waters of St. Johns County. A max of 6 passengers ensures you’ll have all of the special attention you deserve. It’s a great way to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, or just something to spice up your daily routine! $45/adult, $30/kids 3-12, $15/infants-2. Call 904-377-7245 for trip times and reservations.

GUANA FAMILY KAYAK TOURS

Experience a thrilling family outing in kayaks at Guana Preserve. Get up close and personal to crabs, jellyfish, pelicans and Dolphins on a Family Kayak Tour, geared to the more inquisitive younger minds. A percentage of tours proceeds goes directly to the “Friends of the GTM NERR” to assist with their conservation efforts. $55 for adults and $45 for children ages 6 to 15. Tours are by reservation and take place from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information, call 904.347.1565 or visit www.KayakGuana.com.

FAMILY KAYAKING – MARINELAND

Bring the family to learn about conservation and have fun in the most unique setting for kayaking in Northeast Florida at the Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Participants can expect the best in kayaking equipment and professional naturalist guides while paddling throughout thousands of acres of coastal habitat only accessible by kayak- a fantastic escape from the hustle-bustle. This kayak trip is perfectly timed with the tides to ensure hours of relaxing exploration making kayaking accessible for ages 6 and up! This eco-educational experience is made possible through partnerships between Ripple Effect Ecotours, Marineland, and UF’s Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience. $55 for adults and $45 for kids age 6-15 includes free admission to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure and photographs taken by your guides. Call (904)347-1565 or reserve online at www.rippleeffectecotours.com

PGA TOUR GOLF ACADEMY CLINICS

The PGA TOUR Golf Academy at World Golf Village is offering one-hour clinics for $20 to focus on the building blocks of a consistent swing. Cost is $20 per person. For more information, call 904.940.3600 or visit www.touracademy.com.

Saturday: July 16

BRIDGE OF LIONS 5K RUN

Race across the Bridge of Lions in this exciting annual run!The run begins at the southern end of the Castillo de San Marcos on Avenida Menendez, then goes south on Avenida Menendez, east over the Bridge of Lions, and through Davis Shores for the finish. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. and finishes by 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 904.825.1004.

PRIVATEER’S BALL

Spend the day scavenging the nations’ oldest city for treasure then end up at a swashbuckling ball! The digital media scavenger hunt from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., begins and ends at O.C. White’s, located on St. Augustine’s Bayfront at 118 Avenida Menendez. Treasure/Scavenger hunt judging takes place at 2 p.m., followed by the Privateer Auction at 2:30 p.m. Then from 7 to 11 p.m. partake in the Privateer’s Ball at the Mark Wallace National Guard Armory, located at 190 San Marco Avenue. Ball costuming is 1500 to 1780-ish privateer period. Entertainment by The Rusty Cutlass. Tickets are $50. For more information, visit www.pirategathering.com.

THE HEART OF ART EXHIBIT

Stop by the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach and see the exceptional The Heart of Art Exhibition presented by world renowned portraitist Ann Manry Kenyon, The exhibit also includes works by her creative family Rita Nordin Kenyon, Dawn Kenyon Sims, Andrew Manry Kenyon, Mary Emma Sims and Laura Chester Noble. The exhibit will be open from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. The Cultural Center is located at 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call 904.280.0614 or go to www.ccpvb.org

Sunday: July 17

MURDER IN THE OLDE CITY

St. Augustine’s Raintree Restaurant and the Limelight Theatre are teaming up to bring patrons the acclaimed murder mystery, “Murder in the Olde City”! Set in 1880’s St. Augustine, this powerful tale of murder, scandal, love, and deceit is presented in an entertaining ‘you are there’ style of staging. Based on a true story of love, hate, and revenge in the year 1886, and told with a seamless combination of history, theatre, and storytelling, the audience becomes the jury! Featuring a sumptuous sit-down dinner and professional performers in full period attire, this promises to be the hit of the season! Tickets are $35 per person all inclusive, with adult beverages also served separately. Dinner will be served at the Raintree Restaurant (102 San Marco Avenue) at 7 p.m. with the show to follow at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Limelight Theatre (11 Old Mission Avenue). Please call 904.825.1164 for reservations, or 904.347.5103 for more information.

WIZ KHALIFA AT THE ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE

Enjoy a lively evening at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre when 23 year old rap artist, Wiz Khalifa performs tracks from his newest album including “Black & Yellow”. The performance starts at 7:00 pm and tickets are $31.50, and $21.50. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A South in St. Augustine. For more information, visit www.staugamphitheatre.com.

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Lightner Museum, the Fountain of Youth (special events excluded), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, and the Spanish Military Hospital 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 Pena-Peck House, the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum.

For more information on events and activities, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com or call 1.800.653.2489.
Jay Humphreys, Communications Director
St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau
29 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084