Weekend includes fossil identification program

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys reported some great entertainment ideas for Historic City News readers to enjoy indoors and outdoors this weekend.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: February 11-13

GYPSY AT LIMELIGHT THEATRE
Don’t miss the premier of the Limelight Theatre’s production of Gypsy. Based on the memoirs of famous burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, “Mama” Rose is determined to break into show business by pushing the vaudeville act of her younger daughter, Baby June. But it’s shy elder daughter Louise who will one day play to packed houses. Performances through March 6 are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $20 for active military and students. The Limelight Theatre is located at 11 Old Mission Avenue in St. Augustine. For reservations, or more information, visit www.limelight-theatre.org.

Friday and Saturday: February 11 & 12
FLIGHT TO FREEDOM
Travel back in time and experience the saga of slaves fleeing to freedom in Spanish Florida on America’s first “Underground Railroad.” Fort Mose Historic State Park is the site of the first, legally-sanctioned free black settlement in the continental U.S. — established in 1738. Demonstrations take place on Thursday & Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Fort Mose is located at 15 Fort Mose Trail in St. Augustine. On Saturday, a free trolley shuttle service will be available from the ‘Old Jail’ located at 167 San Marco Avenue. Regular park admission fees of $2 per person. For more information, call 904.823.2232.

BLACK RAVEN VALENTINE CRUISE
Enjoy a special sunset Valentine Masquerade Cruise aboard the pirate ship Black Raven! In true Old World tradition, the Black Raven will transform into a grand stage for a memorable cruise. Passengers can dress in a favorite costume – a Black Raven Sweetheart King and Queen will named each night and will win cash prizes. The Black Raven casts off on this romantic cruise from the City of St. Augustine’s City Marina at 6:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Adults Only -21 and over. Tickets are $28.50 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.BlackRavenAdventures.com or call 877.578.5050.

Saturday: February 12
IDENTIFYING FOSSILS ON FLORIDA’S BEACHES
Join one of the GTM Research Reserve naturalists and learn how to identify fossils, including sharks’ teeth, found on local beaches. The most common fossils are sharks teeth, though mammoth, horse, whale, sloth, camel, giant armadillo, fish, turtle and many other fossils can be found. The program takes place from 11 a.m. to noon at the GTM Research Reserve Environmental Education Center, 505 Guana River Road in Ponte Vedra South. Participants are encouraged to bring anything they have found on the beach to be identified. Children must be accompanied by an adult — one adult for every two children. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children 10-17. Reservations are required, space is limited. To reserve a seat please call 904.823.4500.

WASHINGTON OAKS GARDENS PLANT SALE & CITRUS SHOWCASE
Join the Friends of Washington Oaks for their 2nd Saturday Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Choose from citrus plants for the patio/lanai, Valentine’s plants for your sweetheart and many other varieties. A portion of the plants for sale were propagated and grown right there in the park by volunteers. All proceeds benefit the park for enhancement of current and new facilities. Admission is $5 per vehicle and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. For more information, call 386.446.6783, or email Washington.Oaks.Gardens@dep.state.fl.us.

HOT AND SPICY FOOD & MUSICAL FESTIVAL
Head over to the Florida Agricultural Museum for an afternoon of scorching hot Florida Blues and spicy foods. Bill Wharton, the Sauce Boss, cooks his famous gumbo on stage accompanied by his spicy original music, Florida Slide Guitar Blues. There will be lots of spicy flavors, craft beers and other tasty beverages available too! The Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Florida Agricultural Museum’s Caldwell Dairy Barn, located at 7900 Old Kings Road in Palm Coast. Admission to the festival is $5 per person and admission to the Florida Agricultural Museum is $6 for adults and $4 for children. For more information, call 386.446.7630 or visit www.MyAgMuseum.com.

ST. AUGUSTINE’S ORIGINAL CHOCOLATE TOUR
Learn the history of chocolate and chocolate making while sampling truffles, pastries and gooey delights from the finest chocolatiers on this exciting tour presented by Old Town Trolleys. The tours depart from the Old Town Trolley Welcome Center located at 27 San Marco Avenue at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person. The tour includes stops and samples at Raintree Restaurant, Hilton Bayfront Aviles Restaurant, Casa Monica Hotel, Claude’s Chocolates, Peterbrooke’s Chocolates, and St. Augustine’s original chocolatier, Whetstone’s Chocolates. For more information and reservations, call 904.829.3800 or visit www.TrolleyTours.com/st-augustine/tour-chocolate.asp.

ACADEMY OF ST. MARTIN IN THE FIELDS CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Enjoy this EMMA concert featuring the principal players of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. This Chamber Ensemble tour showcases a string octet, string sextet and other configurations. The performance takes place at 8 p.m. at Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada Street in St. Augustine. Tickets are $30 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, call 904.7947.2800 or visit www.emmaconcerts.com.

Saturday and Sunday: February 12 & 13
BALD EAGLE BIRD WATCHING TOUR
Experience something like never before…this boat tour will leave from the St. Augustine City Marina to observe wild dolphins, a variety of birds and many other marine organisms. Then, the boat make a special stop beneath an endangered Bald Eagle’s nest. This stop will provide a chance to see two eagles that have recently returned to the area. Cameras are encouraged whether you’re a novice or experienced photographer. Binoculars are provided on board as well as all the information you could ask for about the creatures and environment you see. Tours are limited to 2-6 guests, $35 for adults / $30 for kids 12 & under. Saturday and Sunday 10:00am. Call Zach for reservations and details 904-377-7245.