St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys informed Historic City News reporters that there will be demonstrations, exhibits and goods presented by a silversmith, blacksmith, jewelers, spice & tea traders, leatherworkers, woodworkers, beekeepers, needlework, soap makers, weavers, and a sponge monger at the Colonial Market.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: February 10, 11 & 12
Harvey at Limelight Theatre
Enjoy this family-friendly comedy production about mild-mannered Elwood who insists his imaginary friend Harvey – a man sized rabbit – is real and his sister decides to have him committed. Performance times are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and this Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All performances take place at the Limelight Theatre, located at 11 Old Mission Avenue in St. Augustine. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $20 for students and military. For more information, call 904.825.1164 or visitwww.limelight-theatre.org
Valentine’s Carriage Ride
Celebrate the most romantic holiday of the year with a private, horse-drawn carriage trip through the historic streets of old St. Augustine. While enjoying the romance of the city, indulge in a bottle of hearty boutique Spanish (red or white) or sparkling French wine. The 45-minute to one-hour tours are offered each evening at 6 p.m. and are priced at $145 per couple. (Deluxe tours including flowers, champagne, chocolate and more are also available.) Go to www.thetastingtours.com for more information or call 904-325-3911.
City Walks
Let City Walks show you the best way to experience history is to walk right through it. Their Plaza Stroll–Secrets of the Plaza de la Constitucion is now offered every day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and their newest tour, the elegant Tour de Chocolate departs at 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Their Savory Faire — St. Augustine’s original “foodie” tour is available every day except Sunday. To find out more about their six tours, go to www.StAugustineCityWalks.com or call 904.540.3476.
Saturday and Sunday: February 11 & 12
Couples’ Valentine Eco Adventure
Join the professional Guides and Naturalists of St. Augustine Eco Tours for a one of a kind Valentine’s experience! Choose the excursion that’s perfect for you and your sweetie! Saturday through Valentine’s Day, paddle in a tandem kayak into the beautiful and tranquil salt marshes, look for wildlife as you explore the rivers and creeks on the Dolphin & Nature boat tour or kick back and relax on a peaceful 2 hour sail aboard our stable 27′ catamaran —the choice is yours! St. Augustine Eco Tours specializes in small tours, taking groups no larger than six on most excursions so you’ll never be lost in the crowd. St. Augustine Eco Tours is located at St. Augustine Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez. Kayak tours are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All other tours are by appointment. For rates and more information, visit www.staugustineecotours.com or call 904- 377-7245,
St. Augustine Air Tours Special Valentine Tours
Fly high with your sweetie pie. St. Augustine Air Torus is offering special discounted airplane sightseeing tours, sunset and aerobatic flights over St. Augustine through February 19. Take your sweetie up and save 10% through Valentine’s week. Each of St. Augustine Air Tours vintage aircraft are fully restored and among the finest examples of their kind in the country. St. Augustine Air Tours is located at St. Augustine Regional Airport, 4900 US 1 North in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904-819-0002 or visit www.staugustineairtours.com
Saturday: February 11
Flight to Freedom
Participate in a unique living history event where you will meet a number of travelers on route to Fort Mose in Spanish St. Augustine, the first legally sanctioned free black settlement in the United States. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be guided tours, food, drumming and music, authentic historic re-enactors, colonial weapons demonstrations and more. It all takes place at Fort Mose Historic State Park, located at 15 Fort Mose Trail just north of St. Augustine. Free shuttle service from the Old Jail at 167 San Marco Avenue will be provided. Admission to the park is $2 per person. For more information call 904.823.2232.
Citrus Harvest Festival
Explore several varieties of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons and limes at the historical Washington Oaks State Gardens Park citrus grove. The festival takes place form 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. there will be guided tours of the historic citrus grove, the perfect environment for you to enhance your knowledge of citrus. At 11 a.m. there will be a program on cooking with citrus by Ruth Micieli of Simple Gourmet. Other activities will include a plant clinic and the Friends of Washington Oaks will offer for sale “home-made” baked goods featuring citrus together with hot and cold beverages, and of course a plant sale. Admission is $5 per vehicle (up to 8 passengers) and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. For more information, call 386-446-6783 or email melissa.kafel@dep.state.fl.us
A Day in the Colonial Market
Step back in time and browse the wares of artisans who will be demonstrating and selling colonial crafts at the Colonial Spanish Quarter, 29 St. George Street in St. Augustine. In addition to demonstrations, exhibits and goods presented by a silversmith, blacksmith, jewelers, spice & tea traders, leatherworkers, woodworkers, beekeepers, local farmers piglets, needlework, soap makers, weavers, and a sponge monger, there will also be a petting zoo, lots of food and music and theatre troupes recreating life in an18th century colonial Spanish market. The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free with a suggested donation of $1 per person.904-825-6830
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. (This is the last Changing of the Guard of the season.) For more information, call 904.808-1999.
Mark Alan Comedy Magic Show
Bring the entire family for an evening of laughs and astounding magic as Mark Alan returns to the Pioneer Stage at Fort Menendez, 259 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. The show begins at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children. For more information and reservations, call 904-824-8874
EMMA Concert: Chamber Orchestra Kremlin
Enjoy a performance by one of Russia’s most recognized Chamber Orchestras. Founded in 1991, the orchestra, comprising some of Russia’s finest young string players, has carved a niche for itself under the creative baton of its founder and music director Misha Rachlevsky. The performance takes place at 8 p.m. in the Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada Street in St. Augustine. Tickets are $30. For more information, visit www.EmmaConcerts.com or call 904- 797-2800.
Sunday: February 12
Tour of St. Augustine Houses of Worship
Explore St. Augustine’s rich heritage and beautiful architecture on a tour of more than a dozen houses of worship in the downtown area. This self-guided walking tour provides an opportunity to learn about the oldest city’s various religions and their historic houses of worship. Hosts will be available at each stop to explain the history and architecture of each house of worship. St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains will provide a special free shuttle between locations and can be boarded at any participating house of worship along the tour. Maps will be provided and parking will be available at some of the locations. The tour is from 1:30 to 4 p.m. There is no charge for admission to the houses of worship. Donations will be appreciated. For more information, call Grace United Methodist Church, 904.829-8272.
Ripley’s World Record Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony
Join Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum and Ripley’s Red Trains when they attempt to break a world record by hosting what is hoped to be the world’s largest wedding vow renewal ceremony at Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum at 19 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. The current record is 1,087 couples. Brides” will receive a complimentary flower and grooms will receive a cup of environmentally friendly confetti to throw following the ceremony. There will be cake for the wedded couples and a complimentary train tour of the historic bay front and plaza areas following the ceremony. Photographers will be on hand and photos will be available on line following the event. Couples need to bring proof of their existing marriage and a photo ID to present at the noon check in. For more information, visit www.ripleys.com/staugustine/contact or email the name of the bride and groom along with the state and date of your original wedding to mock@ripleys.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