St Augustine Founder’s Day marks 453rd anniversary

On Saturday, September 8th, Historic City News readers are invited to enjoy a full day of activities when we honor Founder’s Day in America’s Oldest City.

The event will start at the Mission Nombre de Dios, 27 Ocean Ave., and then process to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, 11 Magnolia Avenue.

America’s First Parish and the nation’s oldest city were founded together 453 years ago on September 8, 1565, by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés.

All activities at the Mission Nombre de Dios are free and open to the public.

• At 10:00 a.m. at the Mission Nombre de Dios a historical re-enactment of the Spanish landing will feature the Men of Menendez arriving on shore aboard the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation’s Chalupa; a boat that would have been used to ferry colonists from their tall ship to the shore.

• The landing, presented by members of the Historic Florida Militia, will be followed by a Holy Mass at the rustic altar on the mission grounds at 11:00 a.m.

• The event will continue with a Grand Procession at 1:00 p.m. to the Fountain of Youth.

• At 1:30 p.m. guests will witness a reenactment of the first Thanksgiving, held at the authentic Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

St. Johns County residents get free admission to Fountain of Youth through the month of September.  General admission is $15 for adults, $8 for kids 6 – 12, and $14 for seniors 60+.