This Week in St. Johns County

Monday, August 31 – Tuesday, September 8

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.

Living in the Age of Airplanes, IMAX Documentary Film
The IMAX Theater at World Golf Village presents a documentary film “Living in the Age of Airplanes” which renews our appreciation for this amazing invention as it stunningly conveys the wonder and grandeur of flying. The airplane may be the closest thing we have to a time machine. 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.

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 – Thursday: August 31 – September 3 

Art Exhibitions at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach
Sara Pedigo, Ron Gibbons and Maria Valdez Dullger will exhibit and sell their original works through Sept. 3 at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. Their works of art will be on display Mon.- Thurs. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free. Located at 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call (904) 280-0614 or visit www.ccpvb.org.

Tuesday: September 1

Flagler College Community Lecture Series
As part of the Community Lecture Series marking the 450th year of St. Augustine’s official founding, Dr. Timothy Johnson presents “If You Do Not Do this, Florida Will be Lost: Memory and Martyrdom Two Centuries after Menendez”. Admission is $5 (4 lectures for $15) to the 10 a.m. lecture in the Ponce Hall Solarium at Flagler College. A coffee and pastry reception will follow. Reservations required. Located at 74 King Street, St. Augustine. Call (904) 826-8617 or visit www.flagler.edu.

Wednesday: September 2

Music by the Sea
Every Wednesday evening through October 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. Music by the Sea live concerts takes place in the beautiful oceanfront setting at The St Johns County Pier Park. This week’s performer is Papercutt playing big hair 80’s rock & pop music. Dinners priced $10 or less from South Beach Grill are available on site. Located at 350 A1A Beach Blvd in St Augustine Beach. www.thecivicassociation.org

Thursday: September 3

St. Augustine Distillery Unveils Rum Discovery Series
The St. Augustine Distillery unveils its first Discovery Series of rum. This rum was fermented and distilled on-site from select regional sugarcane syrups and molasses in copper pot stills and the barrel-aged for a distinct flavor profile. The St. Augustine Distillery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free, guided tours and tastings every half hour. Admission is free. Located at 112 Riberia Street, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 825-4962 or visit staugustinedistillery.com.

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 The Lonesome Bert & The Skinny Lizards. Bring a chair or blanket for seating. On the Plaza at Cathedral Place and King St.  St. Augustine. www.staugustinegovernment.com

Dinner and Show at the Raintree Restaurant
Celebrate 450 years of Florida’s history and a wonderful dinner with Dianne Jacoby as she brings characters from the past to life at 6 p.m. every Thursday in August at Raintree. Tickets are $45 per person, tax and gratuity included. Reservations required. Call The Raintree at (904) 824-7211, after 1 p.m., to reserve. Located at 102 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. raintreerestaurant.com

Thursday – Tuesday: September 3 – 8

El Galeón in St. Augustine
El Galeón, an authentic replica of the ship that traveled between Spain and the New World, including Florida, 450 years ago returns to Matanzas Bay.  Docked at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, the ship is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily for tours. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-12 and free for youth under age 5. Located at 111 Avenida Menendez. staugustine-450.com

Friday – Tuesday: August 4 – 8 

Schedule of Celebrate 450 Events

Friday: September 4 

Historic Tours of Flagler College presents Gilded Age Fashion Show
Join us for a Gilded Age Fashion show recreated by the Flagler College Theatre Department at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. inside Flagler College’s Rotunda. The event is free. Flagler College is located at 74 King Street. For more information, call (904) 823-3378 or visit historicfashion.flagler.edu.

First Friday Art Walk
From 1 – 9 p.m. 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, free Art Walk Trolleys and Trains provided by St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys, provide free transportation throughout downtown for the art walk. Call 832-779-2781 or visit www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.org.

Extended Playbook Exhibit at space:eight
Extended Playbook, a collaborative effort involving seven outstanding Atlanta artists opens at 4 p.m. at space:eight. The opening is from 6-11 p.m. and all of the artists will be in attendance. Plus, DJ Damian Lee spins music throughout the evening and Bold City Brew provides refreshments. Admission is free. The exhibit runs through December 31. Located at 228 West King Street, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 829-2838 or visit spaceeight.com.

Friday – Sunday: September 5 – 6

Celebrate St. Augustine Art Exhibit
From 5 – 9 p.m. the St. Augustine Art Association launches its 92nd season with a juried exhibit “Celebrate St. Augustine”. The show runs through September 28 and reflects St. Augustine’s landscape, people, wildlife, history, culture and more in celebration of the citywide 450th anniversary commemoration. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday noon – 4 p.m. and Sunday 2 – 5 p.m. Admission is free. Located at 22 Marine St. St. Augustine. Call (904) 824-2310 or visit www.staaa.org.

Friday – Monday: September 5 – 7

St. Augustine History Tour
Enjoy a 1 1/2 hour walking tour and learn about the varied cultural influences, explorers, entrepreneurs and people that have built the legacy of St. Augustine. Tours take place at 10 a.m., 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. with advanced reservations. Tickets are $19 per adult and $15 per child under 12 (gratuities for your tour host are not included in the cost of the tour). Located at 59 Cuna St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 325-3911 or visit www.thetastingtours.com.

Obelisk Art at Crisp-Ellert Museum
A large-scale public art initiative, the Obelisk Art 450 Tour of Compassion showcases the talents of well-known artists who exhibit their work locally, nationally and internationally. Each artists obelisk imaginatively interprets the four foundational values—Freedom, Democracy, Human Rights and Compassion—of the original, 30-foot Monumento de la Constitucion obelisk on St. Augustine’s public square. The 25 Obelisks will be on display at Flagler College’s Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, 48 Sevilla Street, through September 18 along with 28 smaller obelisks created by St. Johns County students. The Museum is open Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.flagler.edu

Steven Dean Anderson Exhibit at Villa Zorayda
See the extraordinary art created by visually-impaired artist Steven Dean Anderson, an artist with unique vision. His art features St Augustine’s architectural history and celebrates the city’s 450th birthday. Plus, it marks the first time an artist has exhibited in the Villa Zorayda museum since its founding in 1933. The exhibit opens at 11 a.m. on September 4 and runs through October 1. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, September 7, Anderson will host a “meet and greet” at Villa Zorayda. The exhibit is included in the regular admission of  $10 for adults; $4 for children. Located at 83 King St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 829-9887 or visit www.villazorayda.com.

Saturday: September 5

450th Landing Day Thanksgiving Feast and Celebration at Fountain of Youth
Celebrate the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine on the same spot where it happened! The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park re-enacts Menendez’ landing and throws a feast for the public! The Feast of Thanksgiving and Landing celebration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine festivities are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Re-enactors land at the Fountain of Youth, proceed around the Park, and settle in to celebrate a re-created Thanksgiving meal just like the first documented Thanksgiving Feast in what is now the US—right where it first happened—450 years ago! The first 300 guests receive a free Thanksgiving meal prepared by Smokin’D’s BBQ! Live music begins at 11 a.m. Admission is $15 adults, $14 seniors, $9 children, 5 and under are free. (Free for St. Johns County residents). Feast tickets sold separately. Located at 11 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine. Call (904) 829-3168 or visit www.fountainofyouthflorida.com.

First Saturdays: 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. For more information, call (904) 823-4500. 

First Saturday: 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. For more information, 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 our 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. Call (904) 829-3168 or visit www.fountainofyouthflorida.com.

Vilano Beach Sunset Celebration
Features a spectacular sunset across the bay plus dozens of market vendors, live music, local arts and crafts and more at the Vilano Pier. Activities are from 4 p.m. – dusk. Admission is free. Located at 260 Vilano Rd., St. Augustine. Call (904) 540-0402 or visit www.vilanobeachfl.com.

Sunday: September 6

EMMA Concert Association Presents Fiesta 450!
In celebration of the City of St. Augustine’s 450th Commemoration, the EMMA Concert Association presents Fiesta 450! a six-hour all-Spanish-themed extravaganza at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre with free performances from 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and a ticketed evening performance of Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Ticketed performance is VIP $100 Level 100, Section 102 Rows A – D; $39 – All remaining in Level 100; $29 – Level 200; $19 Level 300 and obstructed view. Located at 1340 A1A South, St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 209-0367 or visit www.staugamphitheatre.com.

Dinner & Trivia Night at King & Bear
Enjoy a great dinner and exciting trivia at the King & Bear. Dinner is served at 5 p.m. and trivia kicks off at 6 p.m. Trivia is free and open to the public. Make trivia reservations by calling Ursula Howard at (904) 940-6207. Located at 2 King & Bear Drive, St. Augustine. www.golfwgv.com

Monday: September 7

Patriot Open at the King & Bear
The King & Bear at World Golf Hall of Fame hosts a four-person team scramble tournament at 8:30 a.m. General public $85; active & retired military $75; World Golf Village members $75. Entry fee includes 18 holes of championship golf, lunch after your round, and prizes. 100% of greens fees will be donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation. For more information, call (904) 940-6207. Located at 2 King & Bear Drive, St. Augustine. www.golfwgv.com

Celebrate 450 St. Augustine Birthday Cake Cutting and Proclamation Reading
Get a piece of St. Augustine’s 450th birthday cake, enjoy local music and hear the official birthday proclamation read at the Gazebo in the city’s Plaza de la Constitucion. Driftwoods performs from 12 – 2 p.m. Official Proclamation and cake from 2 – 3 p.m. Mid-Life Crisis performs from 3 – 5 p.m. Corner of St. George St. and Cathedral Place. staugustine-450.com

The Original City Walks Savory Faire Food & Wine Tasting Tour
Eat, drink and taste your way through St. Augustine’s delicious historic culinary influences on the Original Savory Faire Food Tour. Your Culinary Guide explains how certain foods made their way to the New World as you are presented with a special selection from the chef at each hot-spot for food, friends and fun. You’ll also receive a special heritage recipe gift card set as well as some other goodies along the way. $49 per person, additional boutique wine pairing package available for $19 per person. Tours depart at 1:30 p.m. from the Tour St. Augustine office, 4 Granada St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 540-3487 or call www.staugcitywalks.com.

Tuesday: September 8

CELEBRATE 450: Menéndez Landing, Procession, Commemorative Mass & Street Festival
On this date in 1565, Don Pedro Menéndez came ashore here to establish the City of St. Augustine. At 7:45 a.m. there will be a countdown ceremony at the Visitor Information Center. Then at 9 a.m., an authentic re-enactment of Menendez’ arrival takes place at the Mission Nombre de Dios and is followed at 10 a.m. by a procession by spectators re-enactors and dozens of Bishops from around the world to the Cathedral Basilica for a 11 a.m. Commemorative Mass. Public viewing of the Mass will take place via a Jumbotron on the west courtyard of the Basilica and Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College. All events are free and open to the public. Located at 27 Ocean Ave., St. Augustine. staugustine-450.com/celebrate450/

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.