Pedro Menendez’s landing to be reenacted

Jay Humphreys notified Historic City News that on September 3rd through 5th, St. Augustine will celebrate its 444th birthday with three full days of special events and activities.

This year’s birthday events will focus attention on the Native Americans who lived here before, during and after the arrival of the Spanish settlers. As always, the reenactment of Pedro Menendez’s landing in 1565 will be followed by a celebration of Mass and demonstrations of culture and lifestyles of natives who were already here when Menendez arrived.

St. Augustine has set a remarkable record for endurance that is unmatched in American history. Despite hurricanes, wars, plagues and countless pirate raids, the city has survived and flourished continuously since September 8, 1565 when its birth was proclaimed by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles.

Celebrating Those Who Were Already Here

Of course, the Spaniards were not the first to think of the St. Augustine area as “home.” When the Menendez expedition arrived, Native Americans known as the Timucua had been living there for at least 500 years. In fact, from the first moments of their arrival, the Spaniards encountered the residents of Seloy, a large Timucuan village located at the present site of the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park. From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday, September 3-4, the park will feature exhibits and living history presentations highlighting the culture of the Timucuas, as well as the Seminoles and other U.S. Indian tribes that have been part of Florida’s history. In addition, from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, an Indian Pow Wow honoring Native American traditions that are part of the city’s history will be held at the park. Admission is free to all of these events. The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park is located at 11 Magnolia Avenue, just off San Marco Avenue (A1A) in St. Augustine.

Landing Reenactment & Celebration of Mass

A full day of birthday activities begins on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Mission of Nombre de Dios when authentically-clad Spanish soldiers gather along the shoreline to greet the city’s founder, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, who will arrive shortly aboard an authentic re-creation of a 16th century ship’s boat. To the sound of cannon firing and cheers, Menendez will step ashore at the exact landing point where the Spanish colonists landed in 1565. In an accurate portrayal of the founding of the place he had earlier named San Agustin, Menendez will kneel and kiss the cross brought forward by Father Lopez, the fleet’s chaplain, and proclaim possession of the land in the name of the King of Spain.
Following the landing, Mayor Joe Boles will read a proclamation from the City of St. Augustine and there will be a presentation by Dr. Susan Parker, Executive Director, St. Augustine Historical Society. Next, just as it was 444 years ago, a celebration of Mass will take place at an outdoor wooden altar by the water’s edge. Father Thomas Walsh, Pastor of San Sebastian Catholic Church, will celebrate Mass at the location where Father Lopez performed the first Mass in what is now the United States. Today, a 208 foot stainless steel cross erected to celebrate the city’s 400th birthday in 1965 towers above the Mission Nombre de Dios, located at 27 Ocean Avenue just off San Marco Avenue.

16th Century Cooking Contest

Fifty-five years before the Pilgrims sat down for a Thanksgiving feast, the good people of St. Augustine had already established the same tradition with their neighbors the Timucuas. In honor of that truly first Thanksgiving, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park will host a cooking contest featuring meals created from 16th century recipes. On Saturday, from 6-9 p.m., the prepared food will be judged and there will be plenty of sampling of the Spanish flavors along with demonstrations of the traditions that have influenced the culinary culture of St. Augustine. Authentic 16th Century dinners will be available for purchase and period music and dancing will be performed throughout the evening. For information on entering the contest, call 904.669.1485.
Admission is free to all of the activities related to the celebration of St. Augustine’s 444th birthday.