This Week in St. Johns County

Monday – Sunday: June 29 – July 5

Tapestry: The Cultural Threads of First America
This signature St. Augustine 450th Commemoration exhibition shares the story of how three intertwining cultures—Hispanics, Africans and Native Americans—came together to form the foundation of American culture and create the blended society of today’s St. Augustine. This state-of-the-art exhibition features authentic objects, original documents and interactive elements. The exhibition anchors a citywide passport program that connects visitors, residents and students with important historical sites and programs throughout St. Augustine and St. Johns County. Free admission. Located at the Visitor Information Center, 10 W. Castillo Drive. Hours: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. daily. For more information, call (904) 825-1000 or visit staugustine-450.com.

Ongoing Special Tours
For a complete list of eco/kayak, food, history and other tours taking place on Florida’s Historic Coast this week, visit things-to-do/sightseeing tours.

Monday – Friday: June 29 – July 3 

Memories in the Making Exhibition
This unique exhibition is a celebration of the history of our loved ones featuring artwork created by seniors with early dementia. With support from the McCondichie Family Trust and the Alzheimer’s Association, the art was created through a special, free art program conducted at The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. The artwork provides a visual and literal journey inside the mind of a senior with early dementia. The gallery is open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Located at 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call (904) 280-0614 or visit www.ccpvb.org.

Curator’s Choice Exhibition at The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach
The works of six selected Cultural Center Artist Members are on display at this special exhibition. They include Dawn Wolf (photography); Jan Bialka (still life); Gerry Bialka (sculptures), Miles Batt 2 (abstracts); Eve Albrecht (figurative works) and Aurora Ave (paintings). Admission is free. Gallery hours are Mon.- Fri., 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Located at 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call (904) 280-0614 or visit www.ccpvb.org.

Tuesday & Wednesday: June 30 & July 1

Schooner Freedom Full Moon Sails – St. Augustine’s premier tall ship, the Schooner Freedom, sails through the calm waters of Matanzas Bay lit by the glow of the full moon. This memorable sailing excursion departs at 8:45 p.m. from the City Marina (returning 10 p.m.). Complimentary beer, soda and wine are included in the $35 per person rate.  Bring along a picnic basket or desserts and make it a night to remember. Located at 111 Avenida Menendez. For more information, call (904) 810-1010 or visit www.schoonerfreedom.com.

Tuesday – Sunday: June 30 & July 5

Terminator Genisys at The IMAX Theater
The IMAX Theater at the World Golf Village presents Terminator Genisys. Adults $13, Seniors/Students/Military $12, and Children 3-12 $10. Visit the website for show times. Located at One World Golf Place, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 940-4123 or visit www.worldgolfimax.com.

Wednesday: July 1

Farmer’s Arts and Crafts Market
Farmer’s Market located at the oceanside St. Johns County Pier Park featuring selections of fresh produce, plants, baked goods, fine art, jewelry and more! Open 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. rain or shine. Located at 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. For more information, call (904) 347-8007 or visit www.thecivicassociation.org.

Music by the Sea
Every Wednesday evening through October 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. Music by the Sea live concerts take place in the beautiful oceanfront setting at The St Johns County Pier Park. This week’s performer is Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg playing Pop and Disco & Pop. Dinners priced $10 or less from The Purple Olive restaurant are available on site. Located at 350 A1A Beach Blvd in St Augustine Beach. www.thecivicassociation.org

Movies By The Bay
Ripley’s and the St Augustine Municipal Marina host a family-fun movie every Wednesday through August 5 at 8:30 p.m. at the marina on the bayfront. Admission is free. Bring a blanket or chair. This week’s featured film is Guardians of the Galaxy– rated PG 13. There will be free transportation from the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center (VIC) to and from the marina provided by the Red Trains. Pick-ups will begin at 7 p.m. at the VIC (10 S. Castillo Drive) and will run every 15-20 minutes. Shuttles back to the VIC will take place following the movie. Movies at 111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 824-1606 or visit www.facebook.com/redtrains.

Thursday: July 2

Celebration on the Blvd
At 6 p.m., businesses along St. Augustine’s Anastasia Blvd celebrate the unveiling of the beautiful, commissioned lion statues from Spain added to the east end of the Bridge of Lions. This amazing legacy was donated by Wolfgain and Miki Schau and complement the famous lions that have stood watch at the western end of the bridge since its opening in 1927. The businesses along Anastasia Blvd will have specials from 4 – 8 p.m. in celebration of this addition to the St. Augustine Community. 

Concert in the Plaza
From 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday night through September 3 enjoy a live free concert under the live oaks in St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitucion. This week’s performers are Ancient City Brass. Bring a chair or blanket for seating. Cathedral Place and King St.  St. Augustine. www.staugustinegovernment.com

Thursday – Saturday: July 2- 4

“Visual Melodies in Unrestrained Colors”
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach presents the artwork of Anthony Whiting. The Exhibition will be on display through July 17 at the Cultural Center Annex Gallery located at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Admission is free. Open Thursday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed daily from 1-2 p.m. Located at 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach. Call (904) 209-0399 or visit www.pvconcerthall.com.

Thursday – Sunday: July 2 – 5

Hello Dolly at Limelight Theatre
With lyrics and music by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart, what else do we need to say about this wonderful family musical made famous by Barbara Streisand, Carol Channing and Louis Armstrong? Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $25 adults; $22 seniors; $20 student and military. Located at 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 825-1164 or visit www.limelight-theatre.org.

Friday: July 3

First Friday Art Walk
From 5 – 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, the Art Galleries of St. Augustine feature new exhibits, refreshments and live music at more than 20 galleries. The event is held rain or shine inside the member galleries and is a free, self-guided walking tour (tour maps available at participating galleries). Plus, St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys provide free shuttle transportation throughout downtown for the art walk. For more information, call 832-779-2781 or visit www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.org.

First Fridays: Meet The Treasure Hunters
From 6 – 8 p.m., The St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum hosts Mark Anthony, a treasure diver and collector known worldwide and founder of St. Augustine’s ‘Treasures by Mark Anthony’. To have an item appraised by Anthony, send a photo of it along with a brief description to mailto:tracey@thepiratemuseum.com in advance. The event is free. Located at 12 S. Castillo Dr., St. Augustine. Call 877-467-5863 or visit thepiratemuseum.com.

World Golf Village Fireworks
World Golf Village celebrates Independence Day with its annual Community Fireworks — one of the largest displays in Northeast Florida. Dinner and a Movie packages are available before the fireworks. Join Fairways Cafe for dinner before priority seating for the showing of Terminator Genisys. One World Golf Pl., St. Augustine. Call (904) 940-4123 or visit www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.

Friday & Saturday: July 3 & 4 

Down South Rodeo
Big time rodeo comes to the St. Johns County Fairgrounds — rodeo clowns and family fun! Events include breakaway roping, calf roping, team roping, jr. barrel racing, steer wrestling and bull riding. The rodeo begins at 8 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.) each evening. Admission is $15 for adults; $10 for kids 6 – 12; kids 5 and under are free. Located at 5840 S.R. 207, Elkton, FL 32033. For more information, call 800-556-1377 or visit downsouthrodeo.com.

Saturday: July 4

Old City Farmers’ Market
Features locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, plants and more. Located at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Open 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Admission is free. Located at 1340 A1A, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 471-3733.

GTM Research Reserve Guided Cultural Hike
The first Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m. features a Guided Cultural Hike that focuses on the Guana Peninsula’s 5,000 years of human history. This 1.5 mile guided walking tour departs from the Trailhead Pavilion located just west of the Guana Dam. The programs are free. There is a $3 parking fee. Located at 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach. Call (904) 823-4500 or visit gtmnerr.org.

Living History Day at Fort Matanzas
From 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., authentically clad re-enactors demonstrate Spanish cannons at this fortress that guarded the southern approach to St. Augustine. Admission is free including the ferry ride to and from Rattlesnake Island. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located at 8635 A1A, approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. Call (904) 471-0116 or visit www.nps.gov.

Cherokee Native American Interpretive History Demonstrations
Enjoy a day of demonstrations by Cherokee Native Historians at the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park.  From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., listen and learn about how the Southeastern Cherokee nation interacted with the Timucua tribes in the area for centuries before the arrival of the Europeans. The lectures and demonstration will take place in the park’s living history village of Seloy. Come see our nation’s history told from a fascinating angle! Admission is $15 adults, $14 seniors, $9 children 6 – 12, Under 5 free. Located at 11 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 829-3168 or visit www.fountainofyouthflorida.com.

San Agustin’s Rowing Challenge
On Saturday 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., the inaugural San Agustin Rowing Challenge is presented by the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation on the downtown waterfront. Men’s and women’s Chalupa rowing crews compete against tides and the clock. Watching a “chulupa” rowed along the waterfront was an activity familiar to the towns’ folks who lived here during St. Augustine’s 16th century Spanish Colonial period. The Challenge takes place along the Bayfront between the Castillo and the Bridge of Lions.  Call (904) 599-3800 or visit staugmaritimeheritage.org.

Music in the Park at Anastasia State Park
Enjoy an open jam session – everyone is welcome to join in! Bring an instrument, your voice, or just your willingness to listen and enjoy some local musicians. Food will be available for purchase at Island Beach Grill. This program takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. and is free with paid park admission. Regular park admission is $8/vehicle with 2-8 occupants, $4/single-occupant vehicle, and $2/walker or runner. This event is weather permitting and subject to cancellation. Located at 1349 State Road A1A, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 461-2033 or visit www.floridastateparks.org.

White Room Celebrates July 4th
Celebrate the nation’s birthday at The White Room Ballroom overlooking St. Augustine’s bayfront! The event takes place 7:30-10:30 p.m. and includes a four-course dinner, dancing and a spectacular view of one of the biggest fireworks shows on the East Coast. Cost is $64.95 per person, plus tax & gratuity. Located at 1 King Street, St. Augustine. Call (904) 824-9056 or visit www.ocwhiteroom.com.

Fireworks Over The Matanzas
The 4th of July Concert & Fireworks in St. Augustine starts at 6 p.m. with the All Star Orchestra performing in the Plaza de la Constitucion. Then, at 9:30 p.m., one of the largest fireworks displays on the East Coast bursts above the ancient Castillo de San Marcos and reflects in the waters of Matanzas Bay. Admission is free with the best vantage points along the bay front between the Castillo and the Bridge of Lions. www.staugustinegovernment.com

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Oldest House, the Lightner Museum, the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, City Walks History Mystery Murder Evening Tour, and the Hotel Ponce de Leon Legacy Tours at Flagler College. Every Thursday admission to the First Colony Exhibit at the Government House is also free to SJC residents. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery and St. Augustine Distillery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Photios Chapel, the Pena-Peck House, the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum (donations are welcomed). Many other local attractions offer discounted admissions to St. Johns County residents with valid ID.

For more information on events and activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, visit the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.floridashistoriccoast.com.