St Augustine Easter Parade continues tradition

By: Raphael Cosme
Special to Historic City News

This year the St. Augustine Easter Parade will take place on Sunday, April 5th and will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Mission of Nombre de Dios.

The participants include marching bands, floats, drill teams, clowns, the Royal Family, and the city’s horse-drawn sightseeing carriages; complete with Easter bonnets from local and national celebrities.

Entrants will be judged in four categories and are competing for special trophies.

The 1672 Royal Spanish Family is recreated each year by the Easter Festival Committee and composed of three heritage natives, who can trace their lineage back through 450 years of St. Augustine’s History. The honorary participants represent St. Augustine throughout the year at various events — both in and out of town.

This year’s Royal Family includes Joseph Solana, who portrays King Juan Carlos, Allison Nicole Courter portrays Princess Margarita Maria and Queen Mariana is portrayed by Kerrie Suzanne Alexander.

Easter Parade Festivities ahead through April 12, 2015:

Blessing of the Fleet
Sunday, March 29, 2015 @11is
Cathedral Basilica

Easter Promenade
Sunday, April 5, 2015 @12:30pm
Downtown Gazebo

Easter Parade
Sunday, April 5, 2015 @ 3:00pm
Mission of Nombre de Dios and Downtown

Fromajardis
Thursday, April 12, 2015 @6pm
Spanish Quarter

Photo credits: © 2015 Historic City News contributed photograph by St Augustine Easter Parade photographer Diana Fortin