Posts tagged winners
The 450th Commemoration asks
Jul 20th
Know the easiest way to start a conversation with another St. Augustine resident? Just ask “So, how’d you get to St. Augustine?” Without a doubt, the story will be interesting for it seems that our city has residents who can boast a host of origins, adventures, and simply great stories about how they arrived in The Nation’s Oldest City or what has made life here special for them.
As part of the city’s 450th anniversary commemoration, the city has launched a contest inviting the public to use their skills at photography, videography or the written word to answer one question: What is your St. Augustine story?
And for telling your story, there is the possibility of winning cash prizes.
Organized under the banner of The Story of Us, the three categories are meant to share what contest organizers describe as “the story of the people and families who have given their heart, soul, sweat and tears to shape not only St. Augustine, but Florida and the United States. It is the story of the making of America, which started in St. Augustine almost 450 years ago.”
Of course, it is not just St. Augustine residents who have a St. Augustine story. Lots of people do and so the contest is open to photographers, videographers, and writers regardless of age, residence, citizenship, or ability level.
For the photography category, entries are limited to one photo with an accompanying title and 25 word or less caption, and for the videography category, the submission must be no more than two minutes in length. Those entering in the essay category are limited to 150 words or less to tell their story. While one person may enter more than one category, only one entry per category is permitted.
First place winners in each category will receive $450, second place received $350, third place $250 and fourth and fifth each being awarded $100.
Entries may be submitted anytime between Monday, July 16 and Thursday, August 16 after which the judging panel will select five entries based on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, artistic merit, and depiction of the contest theme. The work of the finalists will be posted on-line allowing the public the opportunity to vote for its favorite work in each category during the two week period of September 7-21. The winners will be announced by September 28.
Complete contest details and guidelines are available at www.staugustine-450.com, or by calling the 450th Commemoration office at 904.825.1053.
Source: City of St. Augustine
Floridians select St. Augustine as their favorite city
Jul 2nd
The survey of 642 voters representing all of the state’s geographic regions, ages, political affiliations and races showed that St. Augustine was their favorite Florida city. Although the results may not have been surprising, the margin of victory for the Oldest City was impressive. For example, it was “leagues ahead of the home of Disney World, Orlando” which finished second. In fact, St. Augustine was viewed favorably by 76 percent of the respondents and seen negatively by only five percent. Orlando got a 64 percent favorable and a 13 percent negative. Next came Tampa with a 61 percent favorable and 13 percent unfavorable, followed by Key West which received a 60 percent favorability rating and 12 percent who weren’t that thrilled with the city. Which city finished last? Miami had a 36 percent favorable rating, while 35 percent of Floridians viewed the city negatively.
It is important to note that no one paid Public Policy Polling to conduct the survey. They just wanted to find out what the results would be if they “just asked a local.” Needless to say, when residents of Florida’s Historic Coast are asked their opinion of the survey, the answer is: 100 percent favorable!
Gamble Rogers Folk Fest is back in the St. Augustine Amphitheatre
May 5th
This year’s festival is the 17th and the theme is “Return to Oklawaha County,” appropriately titled, according to Festival President Paul Linser’s recent edition of Gamble Gazette. Oklawaha County is a fictional Florida place that Rogers would take his audiences to wherever he performed.
Rogers lived in the Lighthouse Park on Anastasia Island and had staged a Storytelling Festival at the amphitheatre which highlighted, among other performers, winners from a public schools contest he organized to encourage appreciation of the art of storytelling.
He won national acclaim for his own stories and songs and singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett acknowledged Rogers as a mentor.
But Rogers untimely but heroic death in 1991 left his adopted community in shock. He died at a Flagler County Park while trying to rescue a man drowning in the rough October surf. Both men died in the rescue attempt. The St. Johns County School Board named a middle school for Rogers and Flagler County named its oceanside park in his memory.
His friends and fans created the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival in tribute and it showcases performers from all over the county. We’re glad the festival has become a tradition here and we’re glad its back “home.” The camaraderie in Rogers’ backyard can’t be beat.
Four stages and venues will be going non-stop today from noon until 6 p.m. And then, the Main Stage continues on with the headliners starting at 7 p.m., Aaron O’Rourke Trio, followed by the well-known regional group, the Gatorbone Band, and then The Waymores, whom Linser refers to as one of Nashville’s top threesomes of singer-songwriters.
The festival’s proceeds benefit youth music programs. Tickets for today’s festival are $35 per person and children under 12 get in free when accompanied by an adult on a paid ticket.
The Amphitheatre is always a busy place with or without another event on Saturdays with the Farmer’s Market open for business until around 12:30 p.m. We suggest you come early and take in the market before following the sounds of music.