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.
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 (half-price), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse (half-price), City Walks History Mystery Murder Evening Tour (other tours half-price)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.
| Monday – Sunday : March 31 – April 6 |
| Journey: 450 Years of the African-American Experience – Journey: 450 Years of the African American Experience covers the long and storied history of African-Americans in St. Augustine. The story of African-Americans begins in St. Augustine with the first Africans both free and slave among founding colonists in 1565. The exhibition is designed for cultural and heritage visitors interested in the full history of America and its beginnings and comprises four themes: Genesis of the African-American Experience; Fortress of Freedom; Breaking the Chains; and Crossroads of Change. Tickets are $5 for adults; $4 for seniors; $3 for youth 7-12; under 7 free. Free admission for military in uniform. Located at the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center, 10 West Castillo Dr., St. Augustine. www.Journey2014.com
El Galeón Tour – Tour a full-sized replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon. Docked at the St. Augustine City Marina, El Galeón Andalucia is an exact replica of the famous galleons that played an important role in the creation and maintenance of the Spanish Empire. Built in Spain, it is similar to the galleon that brought Pedro Menendez to Florida where he founded St. Augustine in 1565. The ship is available for tours beginning at 10 a.m. daily. Admission is $15 for adult; $8 for youth. 111 Avenida Menendez. 904-824-1606
“The Colors of Spring” Exhibit – Beginning April 1, Lost Art Gallery features the colorful works of Darwin Chaves. Rainbows are the pallet of this Peruvian-born artist. Rich in color and texture, Chavez paints his favorite beach scenes, streetscapes and gardens in acrylic on canvas. Through April 30. 210 St. George St., St. Augustine. 904-827-9800 www.lostartgallery.com
Celeste Roberge: Ocean Floors – Flagler College and the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum host an exhibition of new sculpture and works on paper by Celeste Roberge through April 19. The exhibition entitled “Oceans Floors” opens to the public on Friday from 5 – 9 p.m. and will continue through April 19. The Museum is open Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 – 4 p.m. 48 Sevilla St., St. Augustine. 904-826-8530 http://readme.readmedia.com/Crisp-Ellert-Art-Museum-presents-Celeste-Roberge-Ocean-Floors/8220732
Society of Mixed Media Exhibition – A juried exhibition of the Society Of Mixed Media Artists ends March 31. Chosen artists will exhibit their latest works of art. Juried by Gene Roberds the exhibit features collage, assemblage, sculpture and other experimental works introducing mixed media as an important contribution to the fine arts community. Admission is free. Open daily 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Butterfield Garage Art Gallery, 137 King St., St. Augustine. 904-825-4577 www.butterfieldgarage.com |
| Tuesday – Friday: April 1 – April 4 |
| The Last Good War: The Faces and Voices of World War II – Exhibit of photographs of 30 World War II veterans along with their stories of the Last Good War opens at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. Photographer Thomas Sanders captured these images and stories now presented in a traveling exhibition that will be at the Cultural Center through April 4. The Cultural Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-280-0614 www.ccpvb.org |
| Tuesday & Friday: April 1 & 4 |
| Woman’s Exchange Spring Luncheons – Enjoy a special luncheon in the gardens of the historic Pena-Peck House. Doors to the Gift Shop open at 10:30 a.m. and the luncheon is served at noon. Reservations are required. Tickets are $25 and include $5 fun money for shopping. 143 St. George St., St. Augustine. 904-829-5064 www.PenaPeckHouse.com |
| Wednesday: April 2 |
| 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
Lightner Museum Curator Tour – Lightner Museum curator provides a themed interactive tour designed to give participants an opportunity to see acquisitions in operation rather than just as static displays. The tour, which is included in admission, takes place at 10 a.m. on the second floor of Lightner Museum. Regular admission is $10 adults; $6 for active duty military; $5 college student and youth ages 12-18; under 12 are free. 75 King St., St. Augustine. 904-824-2874 www.lightnermuseum.org
Poet Stephen Kampa Reading at Flagler College – Award-winning poet Stephen Kampa, winner of the Florida Book Award, will read from and discuss his second collection “Bachelor Pad,” to be released by The Waywiser Press at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room of the historic Ponce Hall. The event is free. 74 King Street, St. Augustine. 904-819-6282 www.flagler.edu/our-community |
| Wednesday – Saturday: April 2 – 5 |
| First Coast Offshore Challenge – Beginning on Wednesday, there will be three PHRF sailboat races covering over 100 miles of offshore sailing. The historic city of St. Augustine is the start and stop point for each race. The Series is open to all seaworthy cruising sailboats that are not less than 24 feet in length. Ceremonies and awards follow each day’s race at various locations. The final ceremony takes place at St. Augustine Yacht Club, located by water at 29º 53′ 10″ N / 81º 17′ 12″ W , or 442 Ocean Vista Ave, St. Augustine.904-396-6382 www.fcoc2014.com |
| Thursday: April 3 |
| “Black Society in St. Augustine” – Dr. Jane Landers, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt, Professor of History, Vanderbilt University, presents “Black Society in St. Augustine” at 7 p.m. in the Flagler Room at Flagler College’s Ponce Hall. The lecture is part of the speaker series Race and the American 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. 74 King Street, St. Augustine. 904-819-6282 www.flagler.edu/our-community |
| Friday: April 4 |
| First Friday Art Walk – From 5 – 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, the Art Galleries of St. Augustine feature new exhibits, refreshments and live music at more than 20 galleries. The event is held rain or shine inside the member galleries and is a free, self-guided walking tour (tour maps available at participating galleries). Plus, free Art Walk Trolleys and Trains provided by St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys, provide free transportation throughout downtown for the art walk. 832-779-2781 www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.org
Meet The Treasure Hunters – From 6 – 8 p.m., The St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum hosts Mark Anthony, a treasure diver and collector known worldwide, and founder of St. Augustine’s Treasures by Mark Anthony. To have an item appraised by Anthony, send a photo of it along with a brief description to tracy@thepiratementmuseum.com in advance. The event is free. 12 S. Castillo Dr., St. Augustine. 877-467-5863 www.thepiratemuseum.com |
| Friday & Saturday: April 4 & 5 |
| Paranormal Investigation of the Old Jail – Featured on the Sy-Fy Channel series Ghost Hunters, St. Augustine’s Old Jail is listed on the Florida and National Registers of Haunted Places. Guided paranormal investigations take place every Friday and Saturday night from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tickets are $80 per person. 167 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. 904-671-5010 www.2ghouls.com
VIP Wine and Chocolate Tasting Tour – St. Augustine City Walks presents this special VIP wine and chocolate tasting tour of St. Augustine. Participants indulge themselves in the best selections found in the oldest city, plus learn about the history of chocolate and its role in St. Augustine. Visit unique “foodie” hot spots and sample other foods along the way. A full glass of boutique wine specially paired by the chef is included at several stops. The tour is $69 per person and reservations are required. Tours depart at 2 p.m. from the Tour St. Augustine office, 4 Granada St., St. Augustine. 904-825-0087 www.StAugustineCityWalks.com |
| Friday – Sunday: April 4 – 6 |
| Spring Members Show – The St. Augustine Art Association’s Annual Spring Members Show features a broad array of artistic styles, media and subjects. The gallery reception is 5-9 p.m. on the 4th. 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 http://www.staaa.org
19th Annual Rhythm & Ribs Festival – Non-stop music and award-winning scrumptious barbecue all weekend-long at St. Augustine’s Francis Field. The festival hours are Friday 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $2 per person, except Saturday evening, when it is $5. Kids 13 and under are free. 29 W. Castillo Dr., St. Augustine. 904-417-8470 www.rhythmandribs.net |
| Saturday: April 5 |
| Old City Farmer’s Market – Features locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, plants and more. Located at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Open 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Admission is free. 1340 A1A, St. Augustine. 904-471-3733
GTM Research Reserve Guided Cultural Hike – The first Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m. features a Guided Cultural Hike that focuses on the Guana Peninsula’s 5,000 years of human history This 1.5 mile guided walking tour departs from the Trailhead Pavilion located just west of the Guana Dam. The programs are free. There is a $3 parking fee. 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-823-4500 http://gtmnerr.org
Chalking Workshop – A three-hour chalk-art class led by Lee Jones, featured chalk artist with Peseo Pastel – St. Augustine Chalk Walk (May 2-4), will offer a mix of classroom learning and hands on chalking techniques. The class is from 9 a.m. – noon at Fullerwood Center, 10 Hildreth Dr. St. Augustine. Seating is limited. To register go to www.staugustinechalkwalk.com
Living History Day at Fort Matanzas – From 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., authentically clad re-enactors demonstrate Spanish cannons at this fortress that guarded the southern approach to St. Augustine. Admission is free including the ferry ride to and from Rattlesnake Island. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located at 8635 A1A, approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. 904-471-0116 www.nps.gov/foma
Ponce and The Espiritu – Greet the Espiritu, a replica 16th century Spanish sailing vessel created by local craftsmen, as it makes its maiden voyage to the Vilano Beach pier just across the bay from St. Augustine. The event begins at 10 a.m. in the park adjacent to the pier and includes demonstrations of early 16th century (Ponce de Leon Period) military arts, cooking and crafts. 260 Vilano Rd., St. Augustine. http://historic-florida-militia.org/upcoming-events
Vilano Beach Sunset Celebration – A celebration of a spectacular sunset across the bay featuring dozens of market vendors, live music, local arts and crafts and more at the Vilano Pier on the Intracoastal Waterway. Activities are from 2 p.m. – dusk. Admission is free. 260 Vilano Rd., St. Augustine. 904-540-0402 www.vilanobeachfl.com
Restored Jeepsters on Exhibit – A group of 1948-50 Willys Overland Jeepsters will be on exhibit from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Fairfield Inn, 305 Outlet Mall Blvd., St. Augustine. There is no admission and the owners of the vehicles will be on hand to talk about these restored classic cars. The cars will depart on Sunday, April 6 for a 17-day back road and 2-lane highway tour from St. Augustine, Florida to San Diego, California 904-669-8668. www.Jeepstertrip.com |
| Sunday: April 6 |
| Lincolnville Farmers Market – Eddie Vickers Park hosts this farmer’s market with farm-fresh vegetables, meats/fish, cheese, bread, treats, arts & crafts, prepared food, jewelry, picnic areas, playground and more! This special re-opening event features live music by The House Cats. Every Sunday from noon – 4 p.m. 399 Riberia St., St. Augustine. www.facebook.com/lincolnvillefarmersmarket
Discover the Birds of Anastasia – Led by an Anastasia State Park volunteer, this fun and informative walk is open to participants of all birding levels. From 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., observe a diverse variety of shore birds, marsh birds, and hammock birds by walking the beach, boardwalks, nature trails, and other areas. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars, water, comfortable walking shoes, and a field guide if you have one. Meet at the Island Beach Shop & Grill Pavilion. The program is weather permitting and included in the regular admission of $8/vehicle with 2-8 occupants, $4/single-occupant vehicle, and $2/bicyclist or walker. 1340 A1A South, St. Augustine. 904-461-2035 www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia |
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