Anyone interested in Florida’s 500th & St. Augustine’s 450th
should not miss this event set for October 1.

Two lead organizations working on two very significant upcoming commemorations will meet together in St. Augustine to advance the planning for both events.

Viva Florida 500 will hold a statewide summit in preparation for the 500th anniversary of the founding of Florida by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513 jointly with the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration on October 1 at Flagler College’s Lewis Auditorium. The event is open to the public and will run from10:00am until 3:00pm with a break for lunch.

Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll, Secretary of State Ken Detzner, former UN Ambassador Andrew Young and State Senator John Thrasher are among the more than 20 speakers lined up for the morning and afternoon sessions. Joining them will be representatives of the governments of Spain, Britain and France, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Florida’s Department of State, and the Florida Humanities Council.

The program will feature a morning session focused on leadership with officials and dignitaries speaking, and an afternoon session focused on resources with speakers from Visit Florida, Florida universities, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection/Division of Recreation and Parks, and other organizations, all designed to assist organizations in the development and marketing of 500th and 450th events.

The community is encouraged to attend this unique opportunity to be on the front seat for the planning and idea sharing of these two significant commemorations.

For more information, call the 450th Commemoration office at 904.825.1053.

Source: City of St. Augustine