Florida's Historic Coast Group & Meeting Guide 2011 | Page 30

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ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

ONGOING FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK Join one of St . Augustine ’ s most popular cultural events from 5 to 9 p . m . on the first Friday of every month . Enjoy the latest exhibits , music , entertainment and refreshments at over 20 participating galleries . 904.829.0065 www . artgalleriesofstaugustine . com
UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT Takes place from 5 to 9 p . m . the last Saturday of every month in the Uptown San Marco Shopping District , St . Augustine . Galleries , antique stores and unique shops between Ripley ’ s Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios remain open during this special time . 904.823.9263
HISTORIC WEAPONS DEMONSTRATIONS AT CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS - Friday , Saturday & Sunday Experience authentic reenactors demonstrating the weapons and relating the experiences of the colonial Spanish soldier of1740`s St . Augustine , Florida ’ s Spanish Colonial era . Demonstration times are 10:30 and 11:30 a . m . and at 1:30 , 2:30 and 3:30 p . m . Firing times subject to change depending on weather conditions and staff availability . www . nps . gov / casa
JANUARY ANNUAL MATANZAS 5K & FUN RUN This 5K run begins from Swing Park at Francis Field , located on Castillo Drive in St . Augustine , and continues downtown along the bay front . 904.461.1615 www . ancientcityrr . org
FEBRUARY NOCHE DE GALA 16th century masked ball celebrating the birthday of St . Augustine ’ s founder , Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés . 904.825.5033
MARCH THE SACK OF ST . AUGUSTINE : CAPT . ROBERT SEARLE ’ S RAID The Historic Florida Militia re-enacts the 1668 Sack of St . Augustine by the English pirate Robert Searle . 1.877.352.4478 www . floridalivinghistory . org
LIONS CLUB SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Great seafood , live bluegrass , folk and country music and unique arts and crafts presented by more than 100 exhibitors . This three-day event is a Northeast Florida favorite . 904.825.0850 www . lionsfestival . com
LIGHTHOUSE FESTIVAL The historic Light Station offers fun for the entire family . Features local musicians and entertainers throughout the day , special games and crafts for children , food , living history portrayals and much more . Free admission . 904.829.0745 www . staugustinelighthouse . com
APRIL A TASTE OF ST . AUGUSTINE Savor the unique tastes of St . Augustine during this flavorful event that showcases more than 30 area restaurants ’ signature dishes accompanied by live blues musical performances . All the fun takes place at the St . Augustine Amphitheatre . 904.829.3295 www . epiccommunityservices . org / taste11 . html
RHYTHM & RIBS FESTIVAL Enjoy non-stop music and award-winning scrumptious barbecue . The Rhythm & Ribs , voted by St . Augustine Record readers as St . Augustine ’ s Best Festival for 9 years straight , features a Saturday night performance by a Rock-and-Roll legend , lots of tasty ribs and barbecue , and plenty of children ’ s activities . www . rhythmandribs . net .
BLESSING OF THE FLEET Commercial and pleasure craft receive a seagoing blessing from the Bishop of the Diocese of St . Augustine . The event takes place at 11 a . m . on Palm Sunday . 904.824.9725 www . sayc2000 . com
EASTER PARADE Enjoy marching bands , floats , drill teams , clowns , the Royal Family and the city ’ s carriage horses wearing hats donated by nationally-recognized women . A Florida favorite for more than 50 years , the parade begins at the Mission Nombre de Dios and winds through downtown St . Augustine . 904.824.4991
PONTE VEDRA BEACH CAR SHOW See over 100 classic , custom and antique automobiles as they compete for trophies at the Nocatee Community Park . There will be plenty of food , lively music and vintage autos on display . Admission is free . 904.285.2004 www . pontevedrachamber . org
ANNUAL FLOWER & GARDEN EXPO Celebrate the arrival of spring in the Nation ’ s oldest city with two days of flowers , friends and fun . Growers , educational seminars , nurseries and artisans from around the state offer gardeners everything they need to make spring bloom at this annual Flower and Garden Expo . 904.829.3295 www . epiccommunityservices . org / spring11 . html
MURRAY BROS . CADDYSHACK GOLF TOURNAMENT This annual charity golf tournament with all the Murray brothers and their celebrity friends takes place on the World Golf Village ’ s championship golf courses , Slammer & Squire and King & Bear . www . worldgolfvillage . com
APRIL - MAY SAWGRASS WINE AND SPIRIT FESTIVAL Enjoy a weekend of grapes and flavors as the Ponte Vedra Beach Chamber of Commerce presents the Annual Winefest at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa . www . pontevedrachamber . org
FLORIDA ’ S BIRDING & PHOTO FEST In-the-field photography workshops , digital darkroom programs , portfolio reviews and much more ! The Festival is based out of Whitney Lab for Marine Bioscience at Marineland , 15 miles south of St . Augustine on A1A . Discover phenomenal bird life on bird walks and boat and kayak trips . www . FloridasBirdingAndPhotoFest . com
GAMBLE ROGERS FOLK FESTIVAL Enjoy the very best in folk music at this annual three-day celebration of the music , stories and dance that made Gamble Rogers famous . The festival takes place at various locations in downtown St . Augustine . 904.794.4163 www . gamblerogersfest . com
MAY WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY Experience one of the most important events in the golf world when the World Golf Foundation inducts the latest class of golf ’ s immortals into the Hall of Fame . 904.940.4123 www . WorldGolfHallofFame . org
THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP Come see your favorite golf pro play on the famous TPC Sawgrass-THE PLAYERS Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach . THE PLAYERS Championship is recognized by PGA TOUR members as “ their ” championship tournament . It is one of the most coveted titles in professional golf and features the strongest field . 800.741.3161 www . pgatour . com
TASTE OF THE BEACH Take a nibble from the signature dishes from the finest restaurants in St . Augustine Beach at this annual ‘ taste-fest ”. The crowd and judges at the Pier Pavilion get to pick the coveted “ Best of the Beach ” restaurant at the end of the evening . 904.347.8007 www . staugbchcivicassoc . com