This Week in St. Johns County

Monday – Sunday : September 23 – 29

Web.com Tour Championship at TPC Sawgrass
Dye’s Valley course at TPC Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach hosts the fourth and culminating event of the Web.com Tour Finals. The Web.com Tour Championship determines the 50 players who earn PGA TOUR playing privileges for the 2013-2014 season and their eligibility positions under the TOUR’s new qualifying system, which makes the Web.com Tour the pathway to the PGA TOUR. Admission to the Monday through Wednesday Practice Rounds is free. Tickets to the Web.com Tour Championship Thursday – Sunday is $17 for clubhouse admission. VIP Lounge tickets, which include complimentary beer, wine, soda and snacks, interactive games and experiences, and a tournament gift are $106 per person. Additonal events taking place at the Web.com tournament include:  Tuesday 5 p.m. the Web.com Tour Championship Youth Clinic in the practice area; Wednesday 6:30 p.m. the Taste of Golf to benefit First Tee of North Florida at TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse (this is a ticketed event); Friday is Military Appreciation Day and the Blues Travelers will perform following play on the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse lawn; Saturday 5:45 p.m. there will be a 5K run along the front nine of Dye’s Valley Course; and all day Sunday will feature a Family Festival at the Tailgate Pavilion on Dye’s Valley Course. 110 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. www.webtourchampionship.com.

Great White Shark 3D and Tornado Alley 3D at the IMAX Theater
Two thrilling films, one GIANT experience – Great White Shark 3D and Tornado Alley 3D! Purchase any full-priced ticket to one documentary and get the second for only $1. Check the website for the daily show schedule at www.worldgolfimax.com, or call (904) 940-4133. Located at One World Golf Place, St. Augustine.

Savory Faire First Thanksgiving Food & Wine Tour
Throughout September, the original “foodie” historical adventure tour, Savory Faire, explores fascinating, little-known facts about the First Thanksgiving in St. Augustine! The city was founded on September 8, 1565, and on that date a Feast of Thanksgiving was shared between the Spaniards and native Timucua Indians. This special 2-1/2 hour tour features tastes of the city’s cultural heritage. Tickets are $49. Reservations are required. Call (904) 825-0087 or visit www.staugustinecitywalks.com.

Ordinary People
This exhibit is a colorful, folksy 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

St. Augustine Art Association’s Annual Fall Members’ Show
St. Augustine Art Association’s Annual Fall Members Show features a broad array of artistic styles, media and subjects. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday noon – 4 p.m. and Sunday 2-5 p.m. Admission is free. 22 Marine St., St. Augustine. Call (904) 824-2310 or visit www.staaa.org.

Monday – Wednesday:  September  23 – 25

Wizard of Oz 3D
Relive the timeless children’s tale about a Kansas girl’s journey over the rainbow with the re-release of “The Wizard of Oz: An IMAX 3D Experience.” Tickets are $13 adults; $12 seniors/students/military and $10 children 3-12. Check the website for the show schedule at www.worldgolfimax.com, or call (904) 940-4133. Located at One World Golf Place, St. Augustine.

Monday – Friday: September 23 – 27

Ignorance is a Choice Art Exhibit
Artist Donny Miller’s Ignorance is a Choice exhibit on display at St. Augustine’s space:eight Gallery. Donny’s unique graphic style of pairing seemingly benign images with witty declarations about humanity is as much philosophic as it is artistic. Ignorance is a Choice runs thru September 27. 228 West King St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 829-2838 or visit www.spaceeight.com.

Monday: September 23

Sunset Sailing Aboard Sirenia!
A 2-hour journey into the estuary surrounding the nation’s oldest city with views of St. Augustine’s historic bayfront as a romantic sunset colors the sky. The Captain will do the work or let you try your hand at sailing, otherwise you can relax as the world passes you by. Special rate: $45 per adult. Tour time is 5:15 – 7:15 p.m. Call St. Augustine Eco Tours for reservations. Located at 111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine. Call (904) 377-7245 or visit www.staugustineecotours.com.

Tuesday: September 24

A Dark & Stormy Night, III at the Limelight Theatre
The Tale Tellers of St. Augustine present Theatre of the Mind: Storytelling at the Limelight Black Box Studio Theatre. “A Dark and Stormy Night, III” is one of the Tale Tellers most popular shows and begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Limelight Theatre. General admission is $10; group rates available in advance. Located at 11 Old Mission Ave, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 829-8711 or visit taletellers.org.

Wednesday:  September 25

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

Music By The Sea Concert Series 2013
Live concert with the Navy Dixie Land Jazz Band playing dixie land music takes place from 7-9 p.m. at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Pavilion at 350 A1A Beach Blvd. St. Augustine Beach. Admission is free and local restaurant Sunset Grille will offer signature dinners for $10. For comfortable seating, bring a folding chair. Call (904) 347-8007 or visit www.thecivicassociation.org.

Thursday – Saturday: September  26 – 28

Florida Heritage Book Festival
Florida’s rich and colorful literary heritage is celebrated at a series of workshops, presentations and readings. Meet award-winning authors, fellow book lovers and publishing professionals. Literary legend John Jakes will be honored at the festival’s Literary Legends Awards banquet. Admission is free to Saturday’s book festival at Flagler College in St. Augustine. The two-day Writers Conference will be held Thursday and Friday at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort. The Convention Center will also be the location of the Literary Legends banquet. Located at 500 S. Legacy Trail, St. Augustine. Call (904) 940-0194 or visit www.fhbookfest.com.

Thursday: September  26

Colin Hay Concert
Colin Hay, former lead singer for Men At Work, will perform at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in Ponte Vedra Beach. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39.50 and $29.50. 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call (904) 209-0399 or visit www.pvconcerthall.com.

Friday and Saturday: September 27 & 28

National Estuaries Day at GTM Reserve
The GTM Reserve hosts a two-day celebration kicking off with a Star Party from 6 – 10 p.m. on Friday. Bring the family and look up at the beautiful night sky to learn about stellar navigational history. Continuing Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. families can explore how estuaries have shaped northeast Florida’s human history. There will be food, facepainting, fishing, hiking, biking, gardening and a plant sale. 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach. Call (904) 823-4500 or visit www.GTMNERR.org.

Friday: September  27

Sunset Kayak Fun!
Slip into a stable tandem kayak as the heat of the day diminishes and gives way to comfortable evening conditions. This guided tour leads participants into a tranquil estuary habitat as the sun begins to drop behind historic St. Augustine. Observe herons and egrets settle into the quiet marsh for their evening rest. Enjoy scenic views of the St. Augustine bayfront as the evening lights shimmer upon the river. The tour is from 5 -7 p.m. and costs $40 for adults and $35 for ages 6-12. Reservations are required. 111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine. Call (904) 377-7245 or visit www.staugustineecotours.com.

Saturday & Sunday: September  28 & 29

Sports Fans Vittles and Vino VIP Carriage Tour!
Show your pride and catch a ride! Show your team spirit by wearing your favorite college team’s colors on Saturday and your Favorite NFL team’s colors on Sunday during these cheerful 3-hour food and wine carriage tours through St. Augustine. The all-inclusive food and wine carriage tours start from 100 St. George Street, Suite E, at 2 p.m. each day. For more information, call (904) 325-3911 or visit www.thetastingtours.com.

Saturday: September 28

Old City Farmers’ Market
Features locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, plants and more. Open 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South. Call (904) 471-3733, for more information.

National Public Lands Day 20th Anniversary
Anastasia State Park will host several activities from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. These include beach & trail clean up, water, quality monitoring, geocaching and a display from the St. Johns County Beekeeping Association. Program included in regular admission of $8 per vehicle. 1340 A1A, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 461-2035 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia.

Native Indians of Marineland Guided Kayaking Adventure
Ripple Effect Ecotours will lead a guided tour for all levels of kayaking experience for a glimpse into the time when only native Indians lived here, as well as an understanding of the dynamic estuarine ecosystem. The tour begins at 9 a.m. The cost is $55 for adults and $45 for 15 years or younger that includes free general admission into Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Call (904) 347-1565 or visit www.RippleEffectEcotours.com.

Smithsonian Museum Day at the World Golf Hall of Fame
Admission is free to the World Golf Hall of Fame for visitors who print their tickets in advance from the Smithsonian Museum Day website. The World Golf Hall of Fame is located at World Golf Village. Open Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and noon – 6 p.m. Sunday. One World Golf Place, St. Augustine. Call (904) 940-4123 or visit www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org.

Living History Days at Fort Mose
From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., volunteers in period clothing offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past at the site of the first, legally-sanctioned, free black community in the United States. Program is weather permitting. Admission to Fort Mose State Park is $4 per vehicle or $2 for pedestrians or bicyclists. 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 823-2232 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose.

Free Admission: Castillo de San Marcos
In honor of National Public Lands Day, admission to the Castillo de San Marcos is free. Built by the Spanish military between 1672 and 1692, the Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fortification in  the U.S. The Castillo de San Marcos overlooks Matanzas Bay in historic St. Augustine. 1 S Castillo Dr., St. Augustine. www.NPS.gov/casa

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. Call (904) 825-0087 or visit www.StAugustineBlackHeritageTours.com.

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. Call (904) 823-9263, for more information.

Sunday: September 29

“Check, Please” at the Raintree Restaurant
A theatrical performance of “Check, Please” combined with great dining create a memorable and enjoyable evening of entertainment. Tickets to this exciting dinner theatre experience in the upstairs dining room of the Raintree Restaurant are $39.95 (adult beverages served separately). Dinner is served at 6 p.m. (5:30 p.m. arrival suggested) and the show begins at 7 p.m. 102 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. Call (904) 824-7211 or visit www.raintreerestaurant.com.

EMMA Concert: Prima Trio
Winners of the prestigious Grand Prize and the Gold Medal at the 2007 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, the Prima Trio (piano, violin and clarinet) will perform at 2 p.m. at the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College. Tickets are $25. 14 Granada St., St. Augustine. Call (904) 797-2800 or visit www.emmaconcerts.com.

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted FREE of charge to the Oldest House, 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 (donations are welcomed). Many other local attractions offer discounted admissions to St. Johns County residents with valid ID.

For more information on events and activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com or call 1-800-653-2489.