Friday: October 5

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. This month’s highlights include graphic artist Tiffany Beasi at Rembrandtz, 131 King Street; Plum Art Gallery, 9 Aviles Street, will unveil its fall art show featuring owners Karen Sheridan and Susanna Richter-Helman along with Thomas Long, Sara Pedigo, Karlene McConnell, Barbara Cornett and Roxanne Horvath; stained-glass artist John Pacheco will be at High Tide Gallery, 51 Cordova Street; Worley Faver Gallery, 11A Aviles Street will feature Worley’s sculptural forms, Martin Gates carvings, David Engdahl’s natural material art, photographer Gail Nicks, painter Rosamond Parrish and pottery by Flo Karshner. Author Dennis Smith will also be there to sign copies of his Swamp Hattie – perfect for Halloween. Amiro Art and Found, 9C Aviles Street, will have Ginny Bullard, Estella Fransbergen, Deane Kellogg, Wendy Mandel McDaniel, Jan Tomlison Master and Marica Myrick Siany display their summer crop of work. For more information, call 904.829.0065. www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com

Friday and Saturday: October 5 & 6

Spanish Food and Wine Festival
The St. Augustine Spanish Wine & Food Festival will feature national and international wine and food experts including several winemakers from Spain at special dinners at area restaurants and special wine tasting event. On Wednesday and Thursday, Spanish wine paring dinners will take place at the Tasting Room and Rhett’s Piano Bar and Brasserie; Friday Night will feature a special Spanish dinner prepared by 95 Cordova at the River House; and on Saturday afternoon the featured Spanish Wine Tasting event will take place at the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center from 3 – 6 p.m. http://www.staugustinespanishwinefestival.com

First Coast Ballroom And Latin Dance Championships
Pros perform in their dazzling costumes as they Cha-Cha…Samba…Tango…and Waltz their way to the World Masters title. The First Coast Classic takes place at the Renaissance World Golf Resort, located off I-95 at Exit 323 at 500 Legacy Trail in St. Augustine. Tickets are $20 for afternoon events, $40 for evening events, and $55 for front row evening seating. www.FirstCoastClassic.com

ZOMBIEVILLE
This is an interactive paintball experience of horrific proprotions! Load up and take aim at the undead, enjoy tales told in the hut of the ancient Zombie, King Motumbo and take a ride on the Zombie Express. Tickets are on sale at Ripley’s or at the door. Zombieville can be found at 254 San Marco Ave, at the old Sugar Mill. Doors open at 7:30 every Friday and Saturday night through October. Prices are $10 at the door, or $15 for the Zombie Express leaving from the original Ripley’s.Believe It or Not Museum at 19 San Marco Avenue. You can also purchase Zombieville tickets for only $5 with the purchase of a Ghost Train Adventure ticket. For more information, call 904.377.2607.

GHOST HUNT
Get trained to be a ghost hunter by professional investigators! Spend three hours using paranormal-detecting equipment inside the Old Jail and learn about the amazing amount of paranormal activity that has been observed in the building. The tour is from 10:45 p.m. until 2 a.m. Admission is $80 per person; $35 for children under 12 (children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). For reservations (required), call 904.829.3800.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: October 5, 6 & 7

ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE DARK OF THE MOON TOURS
Go on the only tour that takes participants to the top of the tower of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and into the eerie Keeper’s House. Find out why the Syfy Network’s Ghost Hunters program called the Lighthouse the “Mona Lisa of paranormal sites.” Tours begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $25 for adults ($35 on Halloween) and $20 for children ages 7-11($30 on Halloween). Reservations are required. (Private 90-minute, 3-hour and 5-hour tours are also available.) Call 904.829.0745

HALLOWEEN CORN MAZE
Get hopelessly lost in a nine-acre maze! Fun for the entire family! This third annual maze is at the Sykes and Cooper Farms off SR 207 in Elkton, Florida (about five miles east of I-95 Exit 311). Plus, don’t miss Jack the braying donkey, the awesome pumpkin slingshot and the cow train! Tickets (cash only) are $8 per person (children under 2 are free). The maze is open on Fridays 5-10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. For more information, go to www.sycofarms.com or call 904.692.1084.

Saturday: October 6

Pink Up The Pace 5K Walk/Run
Annual Pink up the Pace raises money to assist the uninsured and under-insured in the early detection of breast cancer and increase public awareness of the importance of early detection. The race starts at 8 a.m. from the corner of Orange and Cordova Street in St. Augustine. www.pinkupthepace.org

Historic Weapons Demonstrations At Fort Matanzas
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, 75 Vilano Beach 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 at the Vilano Beach Pier and Pavilion. Free to the public. www.vilanobeachfl.com 904.540-0402.

3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival of St. Johns County
A celebration of Hispanic Heritage on Florida’s Historic Coast. The Festival takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Palencia Club, located at 600 Palencia Drive, St. Augustine and feature music, food and fun for the entire family. St. Johns County schools will be representing various Latin countries. http://hhcsj.org/events.php

We Ain’t Skimpin’ on the Shrimpin’ Sea Monsters, Shrimp and Beer??
Come and enjoy the delicious Low- country Boil and beer at the St. Augustine Lighthouse! Check out the new Sea Monsters exhibit and the upgraded Shrimping Exhibit. Don’t miss the spectacular sunset from the top of the tower! Please join us for this fun filled evening under the stars! Tickets are $45 per person or $80 per couple. Space is limited. Advanced ticket purchase required. Purchase them
HERE. 904.829.0745

Saturday and Sunday: October 6 & 7

Datil Pepper Festival and Cook Off
A celebration of the spicy little Datil Pepper. On Saturday, local restaurants participate in a cook off of recipes using the datil pepper. Judging is from 11:30am – 1pm! Vote for your favorite ‘pepper’ delight. Tickets will be sold for $1 each. On Sunday there will bean Amateur Datil Pepper Hot Sauce contest and a Home and Garden Show. It will all take place at 3111 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine.

Sunday: October 7

St. Ambrose Fall Festival
Fall festival featuring a car show, live music, brats, beer, hay rides, games, plenty of food and Minorcan chowder, arts and crafts, and self-guided tours of historic St Ambrose Catholic Church. The Festival takes place from noon to 4 p.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic Church grounds, 6070 Church Rd, Elkton. 904- 692-1366 www.saintambrose-church.org.

Emma Concert Series Wolfgang David and David Gompper
Violinist Wolfgang David and pianist David Gompper perform at 2 p.m. at the Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada Street in St. Augustine. Tickets Are $25. For more information, call 904-797-2800 or visit www.EmmaConcerts.com.

Local Resident Specials

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Oldest House, the Lightner Museum, the Fountain of Youth (special events excluded), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, Spanish Military Hospital Museum, and the Historic Tours of Flagler College. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Authentic Old Drug Store, Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Photios Chapel, the Pena-Peck House, the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum (donations are welcomed).

NEW: St. Johns County residents who purchase full-price admisssion to the St. Augustine Lighthouse ($9.50 adults; $7.50 seniors and children 12 and under; free for children under 44 inches in height) can now receive a pass good for free admission for an entire year! The Lighthouse is now open until 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Also, on the first Monday of each month, St. Johns County residents are admitted free to the Dow Museum of Historic Houses, 246 St. George Street, St. Augustine.

NEW: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID now receive FREE admission to the Oldest House in St. Augustine.

Source: Visitors and Convention Bureau