Entertainment in the Historic City

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys alerts Historic City News readers that there are many entertainment choices in store for this weekend including First Friday events and the Taste of St. Augustine.

Friday: April 1

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK

Enjoy the latest exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments at more than 20 St. Augustine art galleries. Park for free at the San Sebastian Winery, 157 King Street, where sightseeing trains and trolleys offer free round-trips to the heart of the art district – or go on your own self-guided art walk. Galleries are open from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 904.829.0065 or visit www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com.

ANASTASIA STATE PARK CAMPFIRE PROGRAMS

Sit around the campfire and enjoy a natural/cultural program about the park’s environment. The program takes place at 7 p.m on the first Friday of each month. Anastasia State Park is located on A1A on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine. Admission to the park is $8 per vehicle up to 8 people, and $2 per additional passengers. Pedestrians and bicyclist admission is $2. For more information, call 904.461.2033 or visit http://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday: April 1-3

BEACH HORSEBACK RIDING

Experience the fun and excitement of horseback riding at the edge of the sea. Country Carriages offers daily one-hour (weather and tides permitting) rides from Surfside Park on Vilano Beach. The cost is $75 per person. For reservations (a must), departure times and more information, call 904.826.1982.

Saturday: April 2

KAYAKING DESTINATION – MARINELAND

Combine fun, conservation, and education in the most unique setting for kayaking in Northeast Florida at the Marineland Dolphin Adventure. This kayak trip is perfectly timed with the tides to ensure hours of relaxing exploration making kayaking accessible for ages 6 and up! This eco-educational experience is made possible through partnerships between Ripple Effect Ecotours, Marineland, and UF’s Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience. $55 per person includes free admission to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure. For reservations, call (904)347-1565 or visit www.RippleEffectEcotours.com

15th ANNUAL TASTE OF ST. AUGUSTINE

Savor the unique tastes of St. Augustine during this flavorful event that showcases more than 30 area restaurants’ signature dishes. All the fun takes place from noon to 8 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre which will be transformed into a culinary marketplace offering “signature tastes” as well as cookbooks, cooking equipment and other specialty food items. Throughout the afternoon and evening restaurants are judged for the “best of” ‘upscale dining’, ‘ethnic tastes’, ‘family dining’, ‘desserts’, and ‘The People’s Choice Award’. Admission to the Taste of St. Augustine is $5 and taste tickets are $1 each with restaurants charging between 1 and 5 tickets per taste. Call 904.829.3295 or visit www.epiccommunityservices.org.

RACE TO THE TASTE

Be a part of Epic Community Services’ 2nd Annual 5K Run in St. Augustine. The race starts at St. Augustine Amphitheatre on A1A. Race to the Taste participants receive free admission for two to A Taste of St. Augustine! For more information, visit www.racetothetaste.org.

DOO-WOP MUSICAL SALUTE

Experience an exciting musical salute to The Platters, The Coasters, The Drifters and the Temptations at Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum. Performed by Myles Savage, former lead singer from The Platters, this salute features the all-time classic songs of these immortal groups. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 (limited time, buy one-get one free!) Reservations are required. To purchase tickets, call Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum at 904-824-8874 or visit www.oldfloridamuseum.com for more information. Fort Menendez is located at 259 San Marco Avenue St Augustine, Florida.

GUANA RIVER ASTRONOMY KAYAK TOUR

Join one of Ripple Effect tour guides and Florida Park Service Ranger Joe Woodbury, in glowing “firefly” kayaks as the sun sets and the first stars form vast constellations across the darkened sky. Points of light become figures from ages past as your guide illuminates the travels of the stars from the best seat in the house, a kayak. This night-time kayak tour takes place at the Guana Preserve on A1A North of St. Augustine in Ponte Vedra South from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person and reservations are required. For more information, visit www.KayakGuana.com or call 904.347.1565.

Saturday and Sunday: April 2 & 3

FIRST LANDING

Celebrate the 498th anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s discovery of La Florida by visiting with La Compañía de Juan Ponce de León (The Company of Juan Ponce de León). These authentic re-enactors will present demonstrations and programs detailing the life and times of Ponce and his intrepid crew. An early 16th-century Spanish encampment; maritime arts and displays; historical culinary and foodways demonstrations; period children’s activities and much more will be included. The event also features a new lecture series entitled This Other World: Ponce de León and the Founding of Florida featuring noted historians and archeologists. Lectures will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. The celebration takes place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park located at 11 Magnolia Avenue in St. Augustine. Admission to the park is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for children 6 (free admission for St. Johns County residents with I.D.). For more information, call 877-FLA-HIST or visit www.FountainofYouthFlorida.com.

A WALK BACK IN TIME

Hike through history during this 5th annual event that takes place on the grounds of Florida’s Agricultural Museum. All along a 1-mile loop trail, re-enactors presenting living history encampments from various periods of Florida’s past will demonstrate life ways of Florida’s settlers. Time periods represented include Timucuans (the Native Americans indigenous to northeast Florida at the time of European contact), 16th century Spaniards, Seminoles, the British East Florida militia, William Bartram, free Blacks of colonial eras, 18th century shipwreck victims, Civil War troops of the Northern and Southern armies, Cow Hunters, Moonshiners, and women of the rural South. The walk takes place both days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 per person. The Florida Agricultural Museum is located at 7900 Old Kings Road in Palm Coast. Entrance is off US 1, 1 mile south of I-95 Exit 294. For more information, call 386.446.7630 or visit www.MyAgMuseum.com.

BALD EAGLE BIRD WATCHING TOUR

Experience something like never before…this boat tour will leave from the St. Augustine City Marina to observe wild dolphins, a variety of birds and many other marine organisms. Then, the boat make a special stop beneath an endangered Bald Eagle’s nest. This stop will provide a chance to see two eagles that have recently returned to the area. Cameras are encouraged whether you’re a novice or experienced photographer. Binoculars are provided on board as well as all the information you could ask for about the creatures and environment you see. Tours are limited to 2-6 guests, $35 for adults / $30 for kids 12 & under. Saturday and Sunday 10:00am. Call Zach for reservations and details 904-377-7245.

Sunday: April 3

PRINCESS PLACE KAYAK TOUR

Take this relaxing kayak tour and see why a Russian prince called Pellicer Creek home! Departing at 10 a.m. from Faver-Dykes Park (1000 Faver-Dykes Road, St. Augustine), this 3-hour tour explores one of the most bio-rich ecosystems on the planet. Otter, dolphins, bald eagles and many types of migratory birds are often seen. The cost is $55 per person which includes admission to the park, guide service and the finest kayaking equipment. For reservations, call 904.347.1565.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer