Weekend entertainment in the Historic City

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys reported some great entertainment ideas for Historic City News readers to enjoy this weekend.

Friday: October 1
AVILES STREET FIESTA
Celebrate the re-opening of the oldest street in the United States at this fiesta to unveil the all new Aviles Street – complete with sidewalk cafes, intriguing shops and outstanding galleries. The fiesta begins at 4 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony – don’t miss the running of the “bulls”! Aviles Street runs south from St. Augustine historic Plaza de la Constitucion. For more information, call 904.819.9990.

FIRST FRIDAY’S “PINK” ART WALK
St. Augustine’s popular First Friday Art Walk will be presented in shades of pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., 16 galleries will feature the artwork of 16 cancer survivors including Joyce Gabiou at the Casa Monica Hotel’s Grand Bohemian Gallery and Hope Barton at High Tides Gallery. There will be live musical performances at various locations and two of Ripley’s Red Sightseeing Trains, adorned with pink ribbons, will provide free transportation between all 16 galleries. Raffle tickets and official t-shirts will be available for purchase at each gallery. Free parking is available at San Sebastian Winery and Rembrandtz Art Gallery. For more information, call 904.829.0065 or visit http://artgalleriesofstaugustine.com.

A CELEBRATION OF WINE, MUSIC, FRIENDSHIP & COMMUNITY
Head to the Cellar Upstairs atop St. Augustine’s San Sebastian Winery for a special fundraiser for the Junior Service League of St. Augustine. From 5:30-7:30 p.m., enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and a spree of wines and cold beer while listening to the world famous acoustic guitarists Jim and Sylvia Kalal. Suggested donation $5. For more information, call 904.826.1594.

WIDESPREAD PANIC AT ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE
Enjoy a lively performance by one of today’s most popular jam bands, Widespread Panic as they perform live on stage. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $38 and $45. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the food drive. St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.471.1965 or visit www.StAugAmphitheatre.com.

PARENT’S NIGHT OUT
Let the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park entertain your kids from 6-10 p.m. in a safe and educational environment while you and yours have a night on the town. The kids (ages 5-12) will enjoy 2 slices of pizza each, hands-on animal presentation, twilight zoo tour, a craft, nocturnal games and lots of fun! The cost is $30 per child ($25 for members). For more information, call 904.824.3337 or email zoosales@alligatorfarm.com .
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: October 1-3

FLAGLER COLLEGE FILM FEST
Movie lovers can enjoy screenings of 20 independent films at various Flagler College campus venues during the Inaugural Flagler College Film Festival. Family and children films include a Saturday matinee featuring Azur & Asmar and Sunday evening’s showing of Turtle: The Incredible Story.Feature adult movies include In My Sleep, Tre Mogli, Shark Water and many more. Movie venues include Flagler College Auditorium, Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, Gamache- Koger Theatre in the FC Student Center, and the St. Augustine Art Association Gallery. Admission for children’s films is $1 for children & $3 for adults. All other films are $9 general admission and $7 for seniors and students. For a complete schedule of films and show times, email info@fliff.com, visit www.flagler.edu/filmfest, or call 904.826.8522.

FALL CORN MAZE
Take the entire family for a mind-boggling agricultural experience at Sykes and Cooper Farms’ 9-acre “cornfusing” maze. Throughout the month of October, Sykes and Cooper will open up the farm for family fun and Agritainment. Additional home-grown farm activities include a pumpkin patch, hayrides, u-pick-um sunflowers and much more. The Farm and Maze are open to the public Thursday 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday form 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 per person (under 2 is free). Senior and military admission is $5. Sykes and Coopers Farms is located at 5995 Brough Road, off SR 207 in Elkton. For more information, call 904.692.1370, or visit PumpkinPatchandmore.org.

Saturday: October 2
ETIQUETTE FOR KIDS
Give your kids (ages 6-14) the gift of civility and self-confidence at this special etiquette class presented by the Veddy Theatre Group from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Augustine’s stylish Casa Monica Hotel. The course includes three-hours of instruction, including a 3-course meal in the hotel’s 95 Cordova. The cost is $49 per participant. Reservations a must! For questions and reservations, email info@veddytheatre.org .

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 visit www.nps.gov/foma.

HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Come celebrate and learn more about Hispanic Heritage with music, dancing, food and games. Exhibits and cultural information, including country-specific exhibits by local high schools, will be on display. All the fun takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Palencia Club, located at 600 Palencia Club Dr in Palencia north of St. Augustine on U.S. 1. Admission is free. For more information, call 904.806.7001.

TREASURES IN THE QUARTER
Celebrate the restoration of St. Augustine’s historic Spanish Quarter with an evening under the stars. Enjoy food, drink, entertainment and adventure! Eighteenth-century century-period costume is optional. It all takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Colonial Spanish Quarter, located at 35 St. George Street in St. Augustine. Tickets are $75 per person and benefit both United Way and the Flagler Health Care Foundation. For more information, call 904.829.9721, or visit www.treasuresinthequarter.com.

Saturday: October 3
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS AND FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Bring your dog, cat, snake, ferret, pony, parrot or whatever creature is special to receive a blessing at the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church in St. Augustine. If you can’t bring your pet, bring their photo and the Vicar will bless them vicariously. Following the blessing, enjoy fantastic food from local restaurants participating in St. Cyprian’s Food for Thought. (There will be snacks for pets too!) All proceeds benefit Goliath & BeBe’s World – a no-kill animal rescue and sanctuary. St. Cyprians is located at the corner of Martin Luther King Avenue and Lovett Street in historic Lincolnville. For more information, call the church office at 904.829.8828.