Weekend full of local entertainment

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys reminds Historic City News readers that this Friday is First Friday in St. Augustine complete with self-guided tours through the heart of the art district.

Friday: June 3

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK

Enjoy the latest exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments at more than 20 St. Augustine art galleries. Park for free at the San Sebastian Winery, 157 King Street, where sightseeing trains and trolleys offer free round-trips to the heart of the art district – or go on your own self-guided art walk. Galleries are open from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 904.829.0065 or visit www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com.

HONORS SHOW AT THE ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION GALLERY

Come see the works of some of the area’s most talented artists on display at the St. Augustine Art Association’s Annual Honors Show. In addition to this multi-media showing, there will be a special exhibit of Art Quilts by Mary Rhopa la Cierra on display. The St. Augustine Art Association Gallery is located at 22 Marine Street in St. Augustine. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 904.824.2310 or visit www.staaa.org.

MULTI-HABITAT KAYAK TOUR

Find the real Florida wilderness on this kayak adventure with the 35,000 acres of protected wetland habitat in Faver-Dykes State Park. This tour offers impressive vistas of endless marshes, maritime oak hammocks, pine uplands and all the dynamics an estuarine system has to offer. Bald eagles, migrating song birds, American river otter and bottlenose dolphin all frequent these habitats and paddling with a Florida Master Naturalist Instructor is certain to enlighten and enrich. The tour is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.and the fee is $55 per person. For details, call 904.347.1565.

ANASTASIA STATE PARK CAMPFIRE PROGRAM

Sit around the campfire and enjoy a natural/cultural program about the park’s environment. The program takes place at 7 p.m. Anastasia State Park is located on A1A on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine. Admission to the park is $8 per vehicle up to 8 people, and $2 per additional passengers. Pedestrians and bicyclist admission is $2. For more information, call 904.461.2033 or visit http://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: June 3-5

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

Friday and Saturday: June 3 & 4

MAGIC AND DOO-WOP

Be amazed while having some laughs on Friday evening at 7 p.m. when Comic Magician Mark Alen performs at the Pioneer Barn at Fort Menendez. Then on Saturday night at 7 p.m., 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. Tickets for Mark Alen are $15 with a $5 discount for children with the purchase of an adult ticket. Tickets for the Doo-Wop Salute 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.

Saturday: June 4

ANASTASIA STATE PARK’S 19th ANNUAL BEACH BASH

Enjoy a day of sand castle building, scavenger hunts, nature walks, and other fun family activities. There will be interpretive programs given by park rangers, a Bird Walk, and the famous “Low Tide Bike Ride”. Prizes will be awarded! Activities take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to the park is $8 per vehicle for up to 8 people and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. For more information, please call 904.461.2035 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia.

EVERY WOMAN’S ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL

Shop for the very best in arts and crafts at this special festival to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the St. Johns County Pier Park and Pavilion in St. Augustine Beach. For more information, call 904.347.3638 or visit http://www.everywomansart.moonfruit.com.

DESTINATION BAHAMAS

Find out just how easy it is to get to the Bahamas from St. Augustine at this special event! From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Northeast Florida Regional Airport, charter companies, hotels, resorts and other Bahamian business organizations will explain how to get to the Bahamas and what to do after you arrive. Plus, a Bahamas Junkanoo Band will perform and traditional Bahamian food will be available for lunch. Admission is free! For more information, go to www.flynf.com/destinationbahamas/

DRAKE’S RAID

Relive history as the English corsair, Sir Francis Drake, and his raiders return to St. Augustine in an authentic re-creation of the 1586 sack of the city. Open to the public, the raiders’ camp at the Fountain of Youth Park features displays of the arms and armor, craft skills, and lifestyles of the period explained by costumed interpreters. In the late afternoon, Drake and his followers will descend on the city’s historic district. Early evening will witness the English attack on the town, the Spanish residents’ defense, pike and musket skirmishes, and the simulated destruction of St. Augustine by the invaders. For more information, please call 904.829.9792 or visit www.DrakesRaid.com

Saturday and Sunday: June 4 & 5

DISCOVER OUR ESTUARY

Jump aboard our research vessel to explore St. Augustine’s fertile waterways with our USCG Captain and Naturalist. Remarkable wildlife viewing on a one-of-a-kind adventure. Trips reserved for 2 to 6 guests. $35 adults/$30 kids 12 & under. 1-2:30pm. Call St. Augustine Eco Tours for reservations. 904-377-7245. Visit www.staugustineecotours.com to learn more!

Sunday: June 5

THE LIVES AND WIVES OF HENRY FLAGLER

End your weekend with this delightful Limelight Theatre dinner theater presentation of the 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