Conceptual list of commemoration events

St. Augustine Heritage Tourism Director Dana Ste. Claire, informed local Historic City News reporters a number of items on a “conceptual list” of 450th commemoration events under consideration by city officials.

The proposed redesign of the Visitor Center on Avenida Menendez is being referred to as the “Expo Pavilion”. The “promenade” is the area between the Visitor Center and Historic Downtown Parking Facility, and TBA – refers to locations “to be announced” at a later date.

2012

March 18 Spanish Constitution Bicentennial Celebration simultaneously with dedication ceremonies of Spanish Constitution Monument obelisk replicas at Cadiz and Aviles, Spain. City of St. Augustine, Consul General of Spain, Spain-Florida Foundation. Dedication of plaque donated by Spain-Florida Foundation.

April 21 Fashion of the Americas on the Plaza and Promenade. Sponsored by Eco Latino and Morris Communications, St. Augustine Record

May 3 – 6 Culturally La Florida: Spain’s New World Legacy. Citywide cultural exposition with demonstrations, traditions, folklore, music, lectures, performances. Flagler College, Florida Humanities Council, City of St. Augustine, other partners.

May 14-20 Romanza’s 450th Commemoration Kick-Off Party. Music, dance and the arts.

2013

Jan 25 Peoples Before Ponce. Native Americans in Florida History exhibition opens at St. Augustine Expo Pavilion (VIC) in conjunction with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Native America cultural pavilions exhibit traditional crafts, food, music and dance.

April 2 500th Anniversary Celebration of Juan Ponce de Leon’s Discovery of Florida and America in conjunction with Viva Florida (Florida Department of State) and the Spain-Florida Foundation at Expo Pavilion.

April 6 Reenactment of Landing of Juan Ponce de Leon. St. Augustine Bayfront.

April 6 Stanley Parris departs from the City of St. Augustine marina with full escort on the Spirit of St. Augustine racing yacht for round-the-world Discovery Voyage in conjunction with NASA (unconfirmed sponsorship).

April 12 New World Meets Old exhibition opens at the St. Augustine Expo Pavilion with second interpretive layer that showcases contact period artifacts from the days of discovery. The New World in the Eyes of Explorers exhibit, artifacts, and interpretation from Juan Ponce de Leon’s voyages are displayed.

May 2 – 5 Culturally La Florida: Spain’s New World Legacy. Citywide cultural exposition with demonstrations, traditions, folklore, music, lectures, performances. Flagler College, Florida Humanities Council, City of St. Augustine, other partners.

Sept 8 Unearthing First America exhibition component added to St. Augustine Expo Pavilion main exhibit. Borders of Paradise map and archive display as well as Menendez settlement artifacts and interpretation are layered in.

2014

Feb 22 The British Are Coming! exhibition component is added to the main exhibit at the St. Augustine Expo Pavilion. 250th Anniversary of British rule of St. Augustine.

July 2 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Civil Rights and African-American History exhibition opens, museum or gallery TBA. Presented in conjunction with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Andrew Young Foundation.

July 2 – 6 Civil Rights Movement program series, Black Heritage Festival, Fort Mose reenactment and many other programs part of a citywide presentation on African-American through St. Augustine’s 450 years of history.

2015

Feb 21 First America exhibition opens at St. Augustine Expo Pavilion, a comprehensive show on the founding of St. Augustine and America by Menendez in 1565.

March 7 Age of Opulence: Flagler’s St. Augustine exhibition opens at Flagler College, Crisp-Ellert Gallery, etc. Program series. Flagler College.

April 2 – 5 International Spanish Food & Wine Festival in conjunction with Epcot/Disney World’s International Food & Wine Festival (unconfirmed sponsorship) with the countries of Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, et al. participating.

Sept 5 – 8 450th Grand Founder’s Day Celebration at Expo Pavilion and citywide including official countdown clock at Expo Pavilion on September 8.

Nov 21 Grand 450th Commemoration Ball at Lightner Museum Grand Ballroom or Flagler College Dining Hall. King and Queen of Spain preside (unconfirmed)

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer