Weekend of entertainment in store

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys informed Historic City News that there will be something for everyone this weekend in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: June 17-19

ASSASSINS AT LIMELIGHT THEATRE

Spend an evening with the infamous during a performance of Assassins at Limelight Theatre. This twisted musical by Sondheim plays out as a murderous carnival game featuring various characters who have all attempted to assassinate a U.S. President. Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $20 for students and active military. The Limelight Theater is located at 11 Old Mission Avenue in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.835.1164 or visit www.Limelight-Theatre.org.

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.

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.

Friday and Saturday: June 17 & 18

ST. AUGUSTINE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Don’t miss the opening performance of the 2011 edition of the St. Augustine Music Festival! Musicians from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, along with many guest artists, offer FREE classical concerts at the Cathedral Basilica over two weekends. The six-concert series opens Thursday, June 16, with concerts following on Friday and Saturday. The following weekend brings concerts Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 23, 24 and 25. All of the festival’s performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, 38 Cathedral Place. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. For information about each night’s performance, visit www.staugustinemusicfestival.org.

COMEDIAN/MAGICIAN MARK ALAN AT THE PIONEER BARN

Bring the whole family for an evening of comedy and magic with Mark Alan. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Barn at the Old Florida Museum, located at 259 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine. Admission is $15 adults and $10 for children accompanied by adult. For more information, call 904.824.8874, or visit www.oldfloridamuseum.com.

Saturday: June 18

LIZARDMAN AT RIPLEY’S VISITOR CENTER GRAND OPENING

See what’s new for visitors at the Grand Opening of the Ripley’s Visitor Center. To celebrate the grand opening of the new center, Lizardman Erik Sprague will be performing live. In addition, the event will have free snacks and beverages, an obstacle course, a bounce house, face painting, games, prizes, free trial tours on Ripley’s new Party Express Train, a dunk tank and much, much more! Everyone who attends will also receive a free souvenir. All activities are free for the day. It all takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the new Ripley’s Visitor Center, located at 340 State Road 16 in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.824.1606 or visit www.Ripleys.com.

VETTES AT THE VILLAGE

Vettes at the Village returns for its 12th year at World Golf Village and will feature over 100 classic, late model and custom Corvettes around the Walk of Champions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. An awards ceremony featuring Best of Show and People’s Choice will follow the show. It all takes place at World Golf Village, located off I-95 at Exit 323 in St. Augustine. For more information visit www.nfca.net.

PLATTERS, COASTERS, DRIFTERS AND TEMPTATIONS SALUTE

Lead singer for the Platters, Myles Savage will perform at Fort Manendez at Old Florida Museum, 259 San Marco Avenue. Performances will include classic songs of these immortal groups as Myles sings for all in attendance and audience participation is encouraged. Performances are Saturdays at 7:00pm and tickets are $40. A buy one, get one FREE ticket deal is being offered for a limited time. For more information, tickets and required reservations visit www.oldfloridamuseum.com or call 904-824-8874

Saturday and Sunday: June 18 & 19

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. Father’s Day Special – on both Saturday and Sunday, buy one ticket and Dad rides for free! 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.

BOATING ECO-TOUR

Say thanks by taking Dad on a relaxing boat trip this Father’s Day weekend! Trips depart daily from downtown St. Augustine starting at 9 a.m. Tickets both days are $35 for Dads & adult family members, $30/kids. Call St. Augustine Eco Tours to make reservations for a Father’s Day gift that your dad won’t soon forget! 904-377-7245.

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.

Sunday: June 19

MARINELAND KAYAKING TOURS

Have fun and learn about the coastal environment while paddling through the most unique setting for kayaking in Northeast Florida — Marineland Dolphin Adventure. This kayak trip is perfectly timed with the tides to ensure hours of relaxing exploration making kayaking accessible for ages 6 and up! (Call for times.) This eco-educational experience is made possible through partnerships between Ripple Effect Ecotours, Marineland, and UF’s Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience. $55 per person includes free admission to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Call 904.347.1565 or check our calendar at www.RippleEffectEcotours.com

DADS ZIP FOR ZIP

Take Dad for a memorable adventure on the new zip line above the ‘gators at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. This challenging, but fun, trek through the treetops is bound be long remembered. Father’s Day only, with the purchase of an adult ticket ($40), Dad can zip for zip – nada, totally free. For reservations and more information, go to www.alligatorfarm.net or call 904.824.3337 x33.

COMMUNITY DAY AT THE WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME

Experience the World Golf Hall of Fame for FREE when it opens its doors to everyone for its annual Community Day. The first 500 dads through the doors will receive a goody bag filled with gifts, coupons and certificates from businesses at World Golf Village and the surrounding areas. The fun takes place from noon to 6 p.m. at the World Golf Hall of Fame, 1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine. For more information, visit www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org, or call 904.940.9000.

THE LIVES AND WIVES OF HENRY FLAGLER

End your weekend with this delightful Limelight Theatre dinner theater presentation of The Lives and Wives of Henry Flagler. The dinner and show are presented at St. Augustine’s Raintree Restaurant at 102 San Marco Avenue. Tickets are $39.95 and include the meal and the show, adult beverages are served separately. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and Henry and his wives come alive at 7 p.m. For reservations, call 904.825.1164.

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