Long list of entertainment choices this weekend

Communications Director Jay Humphreys with the St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau updated Historic City News on this weekend’s entertainment events.

Friday: October 2

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK
Enjoy the latest exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments at over 20 participating galleries in St. Augustine. At 6 p.m., Jonathan Easter, choirmaster at St. Paul’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, will present a free organ recital at the Cathedral Basilica. Artist Tim Peterson will introduce his latest series of hand-painted St. Augustine Christmas ornaments at Rembrandtz Fine Gifts for Fun People, 131 King Street. Galleries are open from 5 to 9 p.m. St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys offer attendees a complimentary shuttle service to most of the galleries. Shuttles run on a continuous loop every 30 minutes. For more information, call 904.829.0065 or click here.

Friday and Saturday: October 2-3

21st ANNUAL EL PESCADO BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
One of Northeast Florida’s most celebrated fishing events, the El Pescado Billfish Tournament will run out of Camachee Cove Marina in St. Augustine with more than $100,000 in cash prizes. Proceeds from this World Billfish Series (WBS) and IGFA/Rolex Championship sanctioned will benefit the Monique Burr Foundation for Children. The entry fee for the tournament is $1,950 per boat. For full details and a schedule of events, call 904.642.0210 or visit click here.

WAREHOUSE 31 HAUNTED HOUSE
Prepare yourself for the most intense and frightening 30 minutes of your life as you run, twist and make your way through 18,000 square feet of terror. The Haunted experience takes place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday through October 10th, then nightly until October 31. Warehouse 31 is rated PG-13 for intensity and graphic scenes. It is not recommended for people with heart conditions, who are pregnant, or suffer from intense claustrophobia or anxiety. For ticket prices, location and other information, visit http://www.warehouse31.com/

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: October 2-4

TRIPLE CROWN FALL NATIONALS
Come see the future players of the Big Show when Triple Crown Fall Nationals returns to St. Augustine for the 13th consecutive year. This event showcases the talents of the best youth baseball teams on the Eastern Seaboard. The tournament takes place over four weekends; October 2-5; October 9-12; October 16-18; and October 23-25. The special team entry fee is only $795. To learn more about the event, call 970.223.6644 ext. 160 or visit Triple Crown .

Saturday: October 3

ARTS ALIVE: MOTOWN NIGHTS AT THE CULTURAL CENTER AT PONTE VEDRA BEACH
Join the fun as the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach presents the 3rd Annual “Arts Alive” celebrating 50 years of Motown during Motown Nights! The evening will be filled with delicious foods, “Temptinis”, live music by the Heather Hayes Band (daughter of Motown legend, Isaac Hayes) performing classic Motown hits and dancing under the stars. In addition, an exhibition of juried work titled Sight of Music will be on display and unique art demonstrations and interactive experiences will be on hand. Tickets are $100 per person for this Cultural Center benefit. It all happens from 7-11 p.m. at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, 50 Executive Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information and reservations, call 904.280.0614 or visit CCPVB.

SAND SCULPTING CLASSES AT ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH
Come learn about the art, techniques and tools to make great sandcastles. In preparation for the City of St. Augustine Beach’s 50th Birthday Sand Sculpting Contest on November 7, there will be sand sculpting classes for kids of all ages the first Saturday of every month through October. These family-fun instructional sessions take place from 10 a.m. to noon on the beach in front of Ocean Trace Ramp at St. Augustine Beach. The classes are free and open to the public. For more information, call 904.501.1253 or email Melissa@citygateproductions.com, or visit Beach Birthday.

HISTORIC CIVIL RIGHTS LANDMARKS TOUR
Join one of St. Augustine’s most respected historians, David Nolan for this informative tour of St. Augustine’s landmarks that commemorate the city and its peoples’ involvement in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The tour transportation will be provided by Ripley’s St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains. The tour departs at 10 a.m. from the Excelsior African American Cultural Museum located at 102 M.L. King Avenue. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information, call 904.823.9688 or 386.986.4121 or visit Accord.

FORT MOSE GUIDED TOURS
Come learn about some of America’s most important cultural history in a fascinating setting on a ranger-led guided tour of Fort Mose. The tour begins with a short film on the history of Fort Mose and a tour of the exhibits. Then, experience the history of Fort Mose, learn about the archaeology of the site, see remnants of daily life in Colonial Spanish Florida, and stroll along the boardwalk though a pristine salt water marsh. The tour begins at 11 a.m. and ends at noon. The guided tour takes place every Saturday and is free. However, park admission is $4 per vehicle (up to 8 passengers) and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. For more information call 904.823.2232 or visit Fort Mose.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Witness twilight time in colonial St. Augustine as soldiers guarding the town are dismissed for the night! The replacement Guards begin marching at the City Gates and proceed south on St. George Street where they relieve those standing watch over Government House. The commander of the new watch puts the replacement soldiers through a rigorous drill before they take over their posts. The retiring soldiers are ordered to clear their weapons with the command of “Disparen!” The resounding blast of musket fire assures 18th century St. Augustine that the changing of the guard has taken place and the town is safe for the night. This traditional Spanish military changing of the guard takes place at 7 p.m. October 3, 10, 17 & 24 at Government House in the Plaza de la Constitucion. The event is free. For more information, call 904.825.1004.

HISTORIC WEAPONS FIRING DEMONSTRATION
Take the National Park Service’s ferry to Rattlesnake Island and experience daily military life at Fort Matanzas – the 18th century Spanish fort that guarded the southern approach to St. Augustine. From 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., authentically clad re-enactors will demonstrate Spanish muskets and cannons at the fort. Admission is free. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located on A1A at the south end of Anastasia Island approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.471.0116 or go to Fort Matanzas.

DONATE BLOOD AND SEE THE GATORS FOR FREE
Trade some of your warm blood to see the awesome cold-blooded creatures at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. The farm, in cooperation with the St. Johns Blood Alliance, will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. until noon. A blood donation gets you free admission to the Alligator Farm – the only place in the world with every species of crocodilian in residence. For more information, call 904-824-3337.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
Come see the Grammy Award-winning band, Stone Temple Pilots perform live at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Florida’s newest outdoor art and music venue. Stone Temple Pilots were one of the 90’s first bands to turn alternative rock into stadium rock. With five top 10 albums among their many accolades, Stone Temple Pilots received a “Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal” Grammy Award for their #1 smash, “Plush”. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $59.50, $49.50, & $39.50 and are available online at www.TicketMaster.com, or by phone 800.745.3000. St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A South in St. Augustine. For more information, click here.

Saturday and Sunday: October 3 -4

HOME & GARDEN SHOW AND DATIL PEPPER FESTIVAL
Make you garden grow while savoring the spicy datil pepper at the St. Johns County Home & Garden Show and Datil Pepper Festival. Conducted by the St. Johns County Extension Service, the two-day event features vendors, talks by experts, Master Gardener plant clinics and sales, entertainment, antique cars and much more. Saturday will feature a datil pepper cook-off for professionals and on Sunday amateurs will compete. Hours are Saturday, 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. Admission and parking are free. The event takes place at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive off I-16 just west of I-95. For more information, call 904.209.0430.

Sunday: October 4

ALAN JACKSON AT ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE
Come see country music legend Alan Jackson perform live at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Florida’s newest outdoor art and music venue. Jackson has been nominated for 50 Country Music Association awards. He tops ASCAP’s “Number One List,” with 21 No. 1 songs like “Chattahoochee,” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Here in the Real World,” and “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.” Jackson’s concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $85 and $59.50 and can be purchased online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800.745.3000. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A South, St. Augustine. For more information, go to Amphitheatre.

8TH ANNUAL TACTILE ART SHOW
Weave your way into the St. Augustine Art Association Gallery to see and feel this juried exhibit of touchable artwork including sculptures, textured wall hangings, textiles and other mixed media and interactive art that appeals to all the senses. The exhibit at the St. Augustine Art Association Gallery located at 22 Marine Street is free and open to the public through October 28 (Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday). For more information, visit STAA.

THE POETICS OF SPACE
Enjoy this special exhibit that features works by photographers whose view of the world interprets space, our perception of and relationship to it. The exhibit at the St. Augustine Art Association Gallery located at 22 Marine Street in St. Augustine is free and open to the public through October 21. For more information, call 904.824.2310 or visit STAA.

SUNSET/MOONRISE TOUR
Be a guest of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and enjoy viewing the sunset and moonrise from the most unique perspective in all of St. Augustine! This special event includes a champagne toast, provided by San Sebastian Winery, atop the tower and an informative overview of the history of the St. Augustine Light Station. The tour takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the St. Augustine Lighthouse located at 81 Lighthouse Avenue in St. Augustine. The fee for the event is $25. Reservations are required, call 904.829.0745.

ST. AUGUSTINE SINGERS CONCERT- MOSTLY MADRIGALS
The St. Augustine Singers, made up of some of the area’s most popular singers, will perform a series of witty, saucy and whimsical tunes for the public- a favorite annual presentation. The Madrigals will be sung at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall on Sevilla Street in St. Augustine. Donations are encouraged. For more information, call 904.824.9971

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to Government House Museum, the Lightner Museum, the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, the Fountain of Youth, the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, and the Spanish Military Hospital Museum and the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Authentic Old Drug Store, Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Photios Chapel, the Peña-Peck House and the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum.