Thanksgiving weekend entertainment in St Augustine

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys informed Historic City News reporters that after tomorrow’s big feast, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Friday: November 25

Tree Lighting Ceremony and tour of trees at TPC Sawgrass
Enjoy the ceremonial lighting of the tree at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse, 110 TPC Boulevard in Ponte Vedra Beach. There will be holiday music and hot cocoa for this fun family event which takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. The TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse is open for Holiday Tree tours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through January 1, 2012. For more information, call 904.271-3235

Saturday and Sunday: November 26 & 27

46TH ANNUAL FALL ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL

See art created from lace to limestone and crayons to crystal. More than 150 artists from around the USA are juried into this Thanksgiving Weekend art festival takes place at Francis Field behind the St. Augustine Downtown Historic Parking Facility located on West Castillo Drive in St. Augustine. The festival is sponsored by the St. Augustine Art Association and takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is a $1 donation. For more information, call 904.824.2310

WINTER WONDERLAND AT ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE

Bring the whole family to enjoy St. Augustine’s Winter Wonderland which features a real ice skating rink, ice slide, Elf Express train rides, The Elf Village, sleigh rides and SNOW! There are even scheduled visits from Santa. Adults are welcome to relax and enjoy refreshments in the Igloo Lounge (21 and up only). St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A St. Augustine. Hours are November 26 through December 16, Monday through Friday 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 10 p.m..; and December 17 through January 1 from 2 to 10 p.m. daily except Christmas Day (5 – 10 p.m.) and New Year’s Eve (noon to 5 p.m.) Admission is free with activity participation fees. For more information, call 904.209.0367

Saturday: November 26

LIVING HISTORY DAYS AT FORT MOSE

Experience living history demonstrations as volunteers in period dress offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past. 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 $4 per vehicle or $2 for pedestrians or bicyclists. For more information, call 904.823.2232

FORT MATANZAS NATURE EXPLORATIONS

Be a part of this National Parks Service Nature Series at Fort Matanzas National Monument. These ranger-led walks are part of a series of excursions, each exploring a different habitat or ecosystem at Fort Matanzas. The tours take place on the last Saturday of each month from 9:30 – 11:30 am. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located on A1A at the south end of Anastasia Island approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.461.0116

LOW TIDE BIKE RIDE AT ANASTASIA STATE PARK

Get a great cardio workout on one of the most awesome beaches in Florida. The ride is a 3 1/2 mile loop and includes an ecology talk at the point of Conch Island. Riders should be prepared for weather conditions on the beach which could be influenced by heat, cold, wind and sand. This fun and energetic ride takes place at 2 p.m. Bring at least one pint of water, bicycle, snack, binoculars, and sunscreen. Bike rentals will be available. Admission to the park is $8 per vehicle, up to 8 people, $4 for single occupant admission, and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. Anastasia State Park is located on A1A on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.461.2035

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Witness twilight time in colonial St. Augustine as soldiers guarding the town are dismissed for the night, and their replacements arrive to take over guarding Government House. The commander of the new watch puts the replacement soldiers through a rigorous drill before they take over their posts. The retiring soldiers are ordered to clear their weapons with the command of “Disparen!” The resounding blast of musket fire assures 18th century St. Augustine that the changing of the guard has taken place and the town is safe for the night. This traditional Spanish military parade travels along St. George Street from City Gates at 5:30 p.m. The changing of the guard takes place at 6 p.m. in front of St. Augustine’s Government House in the Plaza de la Constitucion. The event is free. For more information, call 904.808-1999.

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

EMMA CONCERT SERIES: WOLFGANG DAVID & DAVID GOMPPER

Enjoy a musical presentation by international violin recitalist Wolgang David and pianist/composer David Gompper at the Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada Street in St. Augustine. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $25 per person. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.EmmaConcerts.com or call 904.797.2800.

Sunday: November 27

LINCOLNVILLE FARMER’S MARKET

Get fresh produce, arts, crafts, jewelry, delicious lunch selections and family fun at downtown St. Augustine’s new Lincolnville Farmer’s Market. Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — turn south on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and follow it to the market behind the Galimore Center.

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