Thursday: May 31
Christening of Fuego del Mar
This evening, the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation will christen Fuego del Mar, the 16th century boathouse and boatyard located the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine. This will be the site of the construction of a full-sized Spanish chalupa and a caravel. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature music, refreshments, silent auction, raffle and demonstration of 16th century boat-building techniques. Admission is $25 (includes a Foundation membership) or $5 for foundation members. For more details, go to www.staugmaritimeheritage.org

Friday: June 1
First Friday Art Walk
The latest exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments at more than 20 St. Augustine art galleries. Old Town Trolleys offer free round-trips to the heart of the art district from the San Sebastian Winery, 157 King Street, or go on your own self-guided art walk. Galleries are open from 5 to 9 p.m. 904.829.0065,www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com

Parents’ Night Out
Let the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park entertain your kids (ages 5-12) from 6-10 p.m. with pizza, crafts, hand-on animal presentations, zoo tour, games and fun! $25 for members; $30 for non-members. Pre-registration required, call Katie at 904.824.3337, x29.

Campfire Program at Anastasia State Park
Park rangers or volunteers present campfire programs on topics ranging from bird watching to star-gazing. Admission to the park, located at 1340 A1A South in St. Augustine, is $8 per vehicle. 904.461.2033 www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia

Friday & Saturday: June 1-2
Drake’s Raid
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. Open to the public, the raiders’ camp at the Fountain of Youth Park, 11 Magnolia Avenue, features displays of the arms and armor, craft skills, and lifestyles of the period explained by costumed interpreters. In the late afternoon on Saturday, Drake and his followers will descend on the city’s historic district to skirmish with the town’s Spanish defenders. 904.829.9792,
www.DrakesRaid.com

Ghost Hunt at the Old Jail
Paranormal Seekers lead late-night investigations at St. Augustine’s Old Jail, 167 San Marco Avenue. Tours are every Friday and Saturday night through October and begin at 10:45 p.m. Admission fees are $80 for Adults and $35 for children under 12. 904- 829-3800

Saturday: June 2

Anastasia State Park 18th Annual Beach Bash

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., sand castle building, scavenger hunts, nature walks, and other fun family activities. There will be interpretive programs given by park rangers, a Bird Walk, and the famous “Low Tide Bike Ride”. Prizes will be awarded! Admission to the park is $8 per vehicle for up to 8 people and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. The park is located at 1340 A1A South in St. Augustine – just 2 miles form downtown.904.461.2035, www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia

Every Woman’s Handmade Arts & Crafts Festival
Featuring local and regional women artists and hand-crafted items including original paintings and prints, pottery and ceramics, beaded and semi-precious stone jewelry and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Johns County Pier Park and Pavilion, 305 A1A, in St. Augustine Beach. 904-347.3638, www.everywomansart.moonfruit.com

Historic Weapons Demonstrations at Fort Matanzas
The 18th century Spanish fort that guarded the southern approach to St. Augustine. From 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., authentically clad re-enactors will demonstrate Spanish muskets and cannons. Admission is free including the ferry ride from Rattlesnake Island. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located at 8635 A1A at the south end of Anastasia Island approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. 904.471.0116.www.nps.gov/foma

Sunset Celebration at Vilano Beach Town Center
See a spectacular St. Augustine sunset cast from across the bay at the Vilano Beach Town Center, 95 Vilano Road. This special event includes artistic performers, local arts and crafts and genuine Old Florida surprises. Dine on food samples from businesses along Vilano Road and see why Vilano Beach is the best-kept hidden treasure in the county. Floating docks near the pier allow for waterway transport from the mainland to the island – just as in the early Flagler days. The event is from 3:00 pm to dusk every first Saturday of the month at the Vilano Beach Pier and Pavilion. Free to the public. 904.540-0402, www.vilanobeachfl.com

Saturday & Sunday: June 2-3
Sirenia Eco Cruise
Hop aboard the 27-foot catamaran Sirenia named after Florida’s official state marine mammal – the manatee. Two hours is the perfect amount of time to cruise the estuary in search of wildlife and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the Matanzas River. Lay on the trampoline to catch some rays or watch the Captain work the sails – the choice is yours! 3:45 and 6:15p.m. departure times. $45/adult and $35/kids. Call St. Augustine Eco Tours for reservations at (904) 377-7245

Nature Movies at GTM Reserve
The GTM Research Reserve will present the nature movie “End of the Line” every Saturday and Sunday during the month of June at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The world’s first major documentary about the devastating effect of overfishing premiered at Sundance Film Festival. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children age 10 to 17 and children under 10 are free. The GTM Environmental Education Center is located at 500 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-823-4500

Sunday: June 3
Visiting Marching Band Parade
Tour Saint Augustine Inc. & Entourage Management present the Riverside Brookfield High Marching Band, performing & marching up Cordova Street beginning from the City Plaza at 1pm. Visiting from Riverside, Illinois the marching band will tour the Nation’s Oldest City while on a cruise of the Florida coast. The band will perform a number of musical ensemble pieces and be escorted by Tour Saint Augustine Inc. guides in period dress. This event is free to the public. For more information contact: Tour Saint Augustine Inc. at 904-825-0087 or www.staugustinetours.com

 

 

Source: Jay Humphreys, Communications Director, Visitors and Convention Bureau