Entertainment for Memorial Day weekend

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys informed St. Johns County entertainment reporters at Historic City News that local entertainment will abound this three-day holiday weekend.

MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT AT TPC

Kickoff the Memorial Day weekend with a live concert by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra on the lawn and terrace of the beautiful TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket or chairs for an entertaining and memorable event. Gates open at 5 p.m., pre-concert musical entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. and the symphony concert, directed by Maestro Fabio Mechetti, begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 904.241.2142 or go to www.BRASSonline.org

Saturday, Sunday and Monday: May 28-30

ST. AUGUSTINE ECO TOUR

Relax and unwind aboard a stable 27-foot catamaran while sailing on a 2-hour journey through the beautiful waters of St. Augustine. Look for wildlife, including dolphins and rare birds, or try your hand at sailing. $45 per adult, $35 per child. For more information and reservations, call 904.377.7245 or go to www.staugustineecotours.com

BEACH HORSEBACK RIDING

Experience the fun and excitement of horseback riding at the edge of the sea. Country Carriages offers 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.

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

AGRICULTURE MUSEUM TOURS

Active duty military personnel and veterans receive free admission and tours all weekend at the Florida Agriculture Museum. Tours begin at 10 a.m. each day and include great interactive fun for young and old. See a Cracker horse, Cracker calf and lots other chickens, ducks and a miniature horse. The museum is located just over the St. Johns County line at 7900 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast. For more information go to www.MyAgMuseum.com or call 386.446.7630.

Saturday and Sunday: May 28-29

ST. AUGUSTINE AIR SHOW

Bring the whole family for an exciting air show at the Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine. The event will honor our military with a special “Salute to Veterans,” past and present, and will feature performances by world-renowned aerobatic pilots as well as many outstanding military exhibits and static displays. Watch the spectacular daredevil feats of wing-walker, Teresa Stokes; the elegant aerobatics of Gene Soucy in the ShowCat bi-plane; new two-ship aerobatic formation jet air show – Team MS760 Aerobatics; the only all women skydiving demonstration team in world, The Misty Blues; a thrilling appearance by Robo Saurus, the car munching giant robot and many other exciting land and air performers. Gates open eac day at 9:30 a.m. and the show begins at 1 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 per day for adults and $5 a day for children over 5. For more information, visit www.staugustineairshow.net.

Saturday: May 28

LIVING HISTORY DAYS AT FORT MOSE

Step back in time when members of the Los Presidiales de San Agustín present 18th-century historical interpretation programs at Fort Mose. Established in 1738, Fort Mose is the site of the first, legally sanctioned free black settlement in the continental U.S. This program is weather permitting.The demonstrations take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fort Mose State Park located at 15 Fort Mose Trail in St. Augustine. Admission is $2 per person. For more information, call 904.823.2232 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose.

UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT

From 5 to 9 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month, experience live music, refreshments, new exhibits, book signings and much more at the galleries, antique stores and unique shops on St. Augustine’s San Marco Avenue between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios. The Mission Nombre de Dios provides FREE PARKING. For more information, call 904.823.9263.

DOO-WOP MUSICAL SALUTE

Experience an exciting musical salute to The Platters, The Coasters, The Drifters and the Temptations at Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum. Performed by Myles Savage, former lead singer from The Platters, this salute features the all-time classic songs of these immortal groups. The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $40 (limited time, buy one-get one free!) Reservations are required. To purchase tickets, call Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum at 904-824-8874 or visit www.oldfloridamuseum.com for more information. Fort Menendez is located at 259 San Marco Avenue St Augustine, Florida.

Monday: May 30

CONCERTS IN THE PLAZA

Enjoy an exciting performance by the St. Augustine Jazz Society in St. Augustine’s historic Plaza de la Constitucion. The free concert takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. Get comfortable by bringing a lawn chair or blanket. For more information, call 904.825.1004 or visit www.plazaconcerts.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