You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake. When it comes to the city of St Augustine the saying rings true, because on Labor Day Weekend the old city is celebrating its 444th Birthday.
This celebration starts already on Thursday, September 3 and continues through Saturday, September 5. This is one of the best times to visit the Old City.
The celebration commemorates St. Augustine’s standing as the longest continually inhabited city founded by Europeans in what is now the United States – making it the Nation’s Oldest City.
Celebrating Those Who Were Already Here
Thursday, September 3 and Friday, September 4
9:00am – 5:00pm
The celebration kicks off on Thursday September 3rd in the Native American village of Seloy, which is what we call “the Fountain of Youth Archeological Parkâ€.Re-enactors will take over and demonstrate how the natives lived. These inhabitants, the Timucua, lived in the area 500 years prior to the Spanish 1565 settlement. Admission is free.
Landing Reenactment & Celebration of Mass
Saturday, September 5 at 9:30am
Mission Nombre de Dios
At 9.00 am there’s a re-enactment of the landing by the city’s founder, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles. The landing will take place at the Mission of Nombre de Dios, which is the exact landing point of the Spanish colonists in 1565. The landing will be followed, as it was 444 years ago, with a celebration of Mass at an outdoor wooden altar by the water’s edge at the Mission Nombre de Dios.
In the evening it’s time for a Cooking Contest, but this is not your regular contest. Here it’s a matter of cooking the tastiest 16th century style food. You can purchase authentic 16th Century dinners and enjoy period music and dancing. This takes place in the Fountain of Youth Park from 6 pm – 9 pm.
All activities surrounding the St. Augustine 444th Birthday are free and within convenient walking distance from the Visitor Information Center and adjacent parking facility.
For directions and more information on the Visitor Information Center call 904.825.1000 or 800.653.2489, or visit www.staugustinesbirthday.com
There will be drills and demonstration, and colonial games on the lawn.
Presentation by colonial re-enactors will take place on Saturday, July 11, 2009, 2:00 pm on the grounds of the Horton House Historic Site. Admission is free.