Entertainment in the Historic City

Barbara Golden, Communications Manager for the St Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, informed local Historic City News reporters about the following entertaining events for our St Johns County readers.

Monday – Sunday : October 21 – 27
Flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast – More than 20 outstanding restaurants offer “Chef’s Choice” prix fixe (fixed price) three-course dining showcasing their chef’s talents and the rich culinary heritage of Florida’s Historic Coast. Intriguing lodging options and enticing cultural events combined with this special dining program make October an exciting and flavorful time to visit St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches. www.HistoricCoastFlavors.com

Ordinary People – A colorful, folksy art presentation featuring some of St. Augustine’s first colonists. The exhibit is open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center, 10 Castillo Dr. www.StAugustine-450.com

Art Dorks Rise’ Art Exhibit at space:eight gallery – ‘Art Dorks Rise’ is a group show of 30 internationally-acclaimed artists exhibiting 30 pieces of original work. The show runs through November 30. 228 West King St., St. Augustine. 904-829-2838 www.spaceeight.com

Monday – Saturday: October 21-26
St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival – The oldest city’s outstanding Spanish culinary heritage will be celebrated with this City of St. Augustine 450th Celebration Legacy Event. The festival features the very best in Spanish foods and wines presented at a variety of special events and restaurants. Oct. 21: VIP kickoff luncheon at First Coast Technical College; Oct. 22: Blessing of the Wine at the Cathedral Basilica’s West Courtyard; Oct. 23 & 24: Private wine tastings at various outstanding St. Augustine restaurants; Oct. 25: Cava Reception and Wine Dinner at the beautiful River House; and Oct. 26: Grand Tasting at the Visitor Information Center. http://staugustinespanishwinefestival.com

Tuesday – Sunday: October 22 – 27
12th Annual Tactile Art Show – This popular show at the St. Augustine Art Association features “touchable” art created in partnership with the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. The exhibit will be located in the Art Association’s gallery through October 27. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday noon – 4 p.m. and Sunday 2 – 5 p.m. Admission is free. 22 Marine St., St. Augustine. 904-824-2310 www.staaa.org

Tuesday: October 22
Salt Air Farmer’s Market – Marineland Marina hosts the Salt Air Farmers Market from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Find an array of fresh, organically-grown produce and other yummy things. 101 Tolstoy Lane, St. Augustine. 904-814-9886 www.marinelandmarina.com

Wednesday: October 23

Farmer’s Arts and Crafts Market – Farmers’ Market located at the ocean-side St. Johns County Pier Park featuring selections of fresh produce, plants, baked goods, fine art, jewelry and more! Open 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Rain or shine. 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. 904-347-8007 www.thecivicassociation.com

Thursday: October 24
The South: Where Is It? – Dr. John Shelton Reed and William Rand Kenan Jr. Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of North Carolina, will present “The South: Where is it?” at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room at Ponce Hall, 74 King Street. The lecture is part of the speaker series Race and the South: St. Augustine in Context, presented by the Flagler College Ideas and Images program marking the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act. The lecture is free and open to the public. 904-819-6282 www.flagler.edu/our-community

Friday: October 25

Whoo Gives a Hoot – Join Park Specialist Melissa Clauson at Faver-Dykes State Park campfire circle from 6 – 7 p.m. for an educational program all about owls. Learn about the three different owl species found at Faver-Dykes State Park, how they rule the night sky and how to identify their calls. After the program enjoy a few owl themed videos on the “big” screen around the campfire circle. The program is included in the regular admission ($5 per vehicle) to the park. 1000 Faver-Dykes Road, St. Augustine. Info: 904-794-0997 www.floridastateparks.org/faverdykes

Friday – Saturday: October 25 – 26

Creatures of the Night at the Alligator Farm – A great time and special treats await young ghosts and goblins at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Hours are 5:30-7 p.m. Admission is $9 adults, $7 children ($8 and $6 for Annual Pass holders). 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine. 904-824-3337 www.alligatorfarm.com

Friday – Sunday: October 25 – 27

Form and Feelings Art Exhibit – The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach hosts the works of Joyce Gabiou & Richard McRae in an exhibition called “Form and Feelings” through November 15. Admission to the gallery is free and open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-280-0614 www.ccpvb.org

Saturday – Sunday: October 26 – 27
St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Festival – The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park hosts a two-day Viva Florida 500 festival including live entertainment, the quick and dirty boat building competition, book signings, kid zone, old city maritime bar tending challenge, beer and wine tent and more. The festival will be open each day from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Tickets are Adults $12; Seniors (60+) $11; Children 6-12 $8; Children 5 and under and St. John’s County residents are free. The festival is a fundraiser for the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation and will support the completion of the 16th Century Longboat Chalupa. 11 Magnolia Ave., St. Augustine. 904-829-3168 staugmaritimeheritage.org

Fiesta de Aviles and Running of the Bulls – The spirit, beauty and ambiance of Aviles Street, the oldest street in the United States, are celebrated in the 4th annual Fiesta de Aviles. At 3 p.m. on Saturday, the popular Running of the Bulls (humans in bull costumes) takes place and performances by Luis Mario Peral and His Latin Jazz, Lonesome Bert and the Skinny Lizards and James and Sylvia Kalal add to the festive Spanish atmosphere. On Sunday, Aviles Street shops, restaurants and galleries will compete in a Margarita Sunday competition with the winners selected by the voting public. Some of St. Augustine’s most popular artists will participate in a “plein air” exhibit in the courtyard of the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum. Fiesta admission is free. 20 Aviles Street, St. Augustine.

Haunted Trails and Corn Maze – The Florida Agricultural Museum hosts a wagon ride through the woods, magic shows, carnival games and a haunted house. Come in costume! The ride takes place 6 – 10 p.m. each day. Admission is $10; toddlers are free. 7900 Old Kings Rd. N, Palm Coast. 386-446-7630 www.MyAgMuseum.com

Saturday: October 26

Uptown Saturday Night – From 5 – 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 Ave., between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios. The Mission Nombre de Dios provides free parking. 904-823-9263

Old City Farmers Market – Features locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, plants and more. Takes place 8:30 a.m. to noon at St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South.

Family Seining at the GTM Research Reserve – Join GTM Research Reserve docents from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. to learn how to pull a seine net, collecting species of fish, crabs and more. Learn about the animals and their roles in the habitat. Waders and boots will be provided. The program is included with regular admission to the Reserve and takes place in the Environmental Education Center. 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-823-4500 gtmnerrfamilyseine-eorg.eventbrite.com/

Anastasia State Park Fall Fun Festival – The Fall Fun Festival include a pumpkin carving and painting contest. Bring your pumpkins at 5 p.m. to be on display and visitors can vote on their favorites. The winners will be announced at 8 p.m. Trick-or-treat down the nature trail from 5 – 6 p.m. From 6 – 9 p.m., the Friends of Anastasia will be selling fall- or Halloween-inspired treats as well as hosting their 3rd Dogs and Jam event. Costumes are encouraged for your dogs too. Local musicians will be playing various instruments. Anyone can bring instruments to join the jam out session. The festival is included in regular admission of $8 per vehicle. 1340 A1A, St. Augustine. 904-461-2035 www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia

Civil Rights & Black Heritage Tour – St. Augustine Black Heritage Tours Inc. will offer a FREE historic walking tour at 5 p.m. Learn about St. Augustine’s historic role in Black History and events leading up to the Civil Rights act of 1964. Tours depart from the Tour Saint Augustine office, 4 Granada Street and encompass several blocks over the course of an hour. Space is limited and advance reservations are required. 904-825-0087 www.StAugustineBlackHeritageTours.com

Sunday: October 27
Lincolnville Farmer’s Market – Eddie Vickers Park hosts the farmers market with farm-fresh vegetables, meats/fish, cheese, bread, treats, arts & crafts, prepared food, jewelry, picnic areas, playground and more! Every Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 399 Riberia St., St. Augustine. www.LincolnvilleFarmersMarket.com

Local Resident Specials

St Johns County residents with valid identification are always admitted free of charge to the Oldest House, the Lightner Museum, the Fountain of Youth (special events excluded), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, City Walks History Mystery Murder Evening Tour and the Hotel Ponce de Leon Legacy Tours at Flagler College. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Fort Matanzas National Monument, St Photios Chapel, the Pena-Peck House, the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum. Many other local attractions offer discounted admissions to St Johns County residents with valid identification.