visit www. MyFloridaMeetings. com 31
ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JUNE DRAKE’ S RAID Relive history as the English corsair, Sir Francis Drake, and his raiders return to St. Augustine in an authentic re-creation of the 1586 sack of the city. 1.877.352.4478 www. FloridaLivingHistory. org
JULY WORLD GOLF VILLAGE FIREWORKS Enjoy one of the largest fireworks displays in Northeast Florida as the World Golf Village celebrates Independence Day. Bring blankets or lawn chairs( no coolers please) and find a spot around the Walk of Champions to enjoy the show. Admission is free. 904.940.4123 www. WorldGolfVillage. com
ST. AUGUSTINE’ S FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION Have a blast at one of the East Coast’ s largest fireworks shows! The spectacular fireworks burst above the ancient Castillo de San Marcos and reflect in the waters of Matanzas Bay. The show includes a stirring soundtrack of great patriotic music. The best vantage points are along St. Augustine’ s bay front between the Castillo and the Bridge of Lions. 904.825.1004
KINGFISH CHALLENGE This exciting competition offers cash and prizes for the biggest catch. This exciting annual tournament takes place from the St. Augustine City Marina on the Bayfront. 904.824.8322 www. acgfa. com / kingfishchallenge. html
SEPTEMBER FLORIDA HERITAGE BOOK FESTIVAL Get literary at this celebration of the authors and books that chronicle the ethnic, social and historical heritage of the Sunshine State. The festival will feature a wide array of events and activities including workshops, readings and book signings by popular authors. 904.940.0194 www. fhbookfest. com
OCTOBER FLAVORS OF FLORIDA’ S HISTORIC COAST Dozens of participating restaurants are presenting a“ Chef’ s Choice” prix fixe( fixed price) three-course meal reflecting their unique flavors and style. Great food, paired with a wide variety of lodging options and enticing cultural events, make October the perfect month to visit St. Augustine | Ponte Vedra on Florida’ s Historic Coast. www. HistoricCoastFlavors. com
THE NATIONWIDE TOUR- WINN DIXIE OPEN AT TPC SAWGRASS See the future stars of the PGA TOUR in action at Dye’ s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach during the Nationwide Tour’ s newest event – and support deserving charities in Northeast Florida. The top 60 on the money list from this tour move up to the Nationwide Tour Championship. www. winndixiejacksonvilleopen. com
COLONIAL FOLK ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL See colonial craftspeople from throughout Florida demonstrate“ Lost Arts” such as spinning, weaving, basket making, blacksmithing, pottery making and many other arts and crafts. The event takes place at St. Augustine’ s Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum. Admission is free. 904.810.5587
GREEK FESTIVAL Everyone can be Greek for the weekend. Enjoy a delicious assortment of Greek foods, pastries and beverages along with nonstop entertainment with live Greek music. The Festival takes place at Francis Field on Castillo Drive in St. Augustine. 904.823.5906 www. stauggreekfest. com
CRACKER DAY Celebrate Florida’ s Country Cracker Heritage with bluegrass banjos and fiddles, horsemanship demonstrations and mouth-watering barbecue. It all takes place at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds on SR 207 in Elkton. 904.824.9720
Painting the Region: A PLEIN AIR PAINT-OUT Florida’ s Historic Coast and the Northeast Florida Region host the Annual Painting the Region: A Plein Air Paint-Out, where more than 40 fine artists capture the natural beauty of our coastlines, marshes and shores on canvas! Mother Nature provides the inspiration. www. PaintingTheRegion. com
NOVEMBER NIGHTS OF LIGHTS CELEBRATION From mid-November through January this spectacular holiday lighting display features more than two million tiny white lights adorning the palm trees and buildings of the city’ s historic district, creating a holiday wonderland in a place with real history on every street corner. 800.653.2489 www. nightsoflights. com
FALL ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL See art created from lace to limestone and crayons to crystal. This renowned juried art festival takes place at Francis Field located on West Castillo Drive in St. Augustine. 904.824.2310 www. staaa. org
DECEMBER ST. JOHNS COUNTY FESTIVAL OF TREES This festival at Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village features entries decorated by businesses, organizations, families and friends from the local community, all to benefit local charities. 904.940.4059 www. wgv. com
BRITISH ENCAMPMENT AND GRANDE ILLUMINATION Experience what St. Augustine was during the British occupation of the old city from 1763 to 1784. Featuring a British encampment, torch-lit parade, holiday proclamation from the Royal Governor, musket volley of joy and Christmas carols in the Plaza. www. britishnightwatch. org
ANNUAL ST. AUGUSTINE CHRISTMAS PARADE One of the largest parades in north Florida, includes floats, marching bands, cars, horses and the arrival of Santa. The parade starts at Mission Nombre de Dios on San Marco Avenue and continues through St. Augustine. 904.824.4997
REGATTA OF LIGHTS A holiday parade of boats including sailboats, trawlers, shrimp boats and many other vessels all-a-glitter with brilliant lighted display sail across Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine. 904.824.9725 www. sayc2000. com
42 nd ANNUAL GARDEN CLUB CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES Annual tour showcases a selection of St. Augustine’ s most outstanding private homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. Ticket includes a delightful tea. www. gardenclubofstaugustine. org.
ANNUAL HOLIDAY TOUR OF BED AND BREAKFAST INNS Tour St. Augustine’ s historic Bed and Breakfast Inns, all decorated in Holiday finery. Each inn unites with one of St. Augustine’ s leading restaurants and confectioners, who serve complimentary samples. 904.819.3566 www. staugustineinns. com
BEACH BLAST OFF Usher in the New Year with a blast of flavor, icy sculptures and fireworks when several of St. Augustine’ s favorite restaurants serve up chili for tasting and judging at the Fire and Ice Chili Cook-off. The event culminates with the blast off of a huge fireworks show over the ocean at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Pavilion. www. beachblastoff. com