This year it seems to be heading for a new record, so finding different ways to keep cool is a main concern.   I was pleasantly surprised to find out there’s an important holiday in August I never heard of.
On August 5th it’s International Beer Day.  I don’t know how I could have missed that special day which is supposedly a big deal on the other coast.  This year I promise I will make an effort and celebrate.

With the beginning of a new month comes what I like to refer to as “the week firsts”.   First and foremost that means time for art walks,  so lace up your most comfortable walking shoes, slap on some sunscreen, wear your coolest shades and cram your whole gang in the car and prepare for an evening out on the town.

ART – WHERE ART THOU?

In Jacksonville, the First Wednesday Art Walk takes place on August 4, 2010.  This month it’s time for the 5th Annual Petwalk as well.  So let your furry four-legged friends join for a special night out. There are lots of interesting watering holes in the downtown area, so don’t worry about the heat too much, just plan for spending time cooling off at one of the bars or cafes in the downtown area.  Some places even welcome furry friends in their outside dining areas, Cafe Nola and London Bridge are two worth mentioning.

Download the map and check out our video from the event on the special events page for First Wednesday Art Walk in Jacksonville, Florida

It’s also the First Friday Art Walk in St. Augustine, Florida on Friday August 6, 2010, from 5 – 9 pm.  Head to the San Marco district for a night out.  Enjoy arts, crafts, mingle with art lovers, artisans and authors.

Check out the page for the First Friday Art Walk in St Augustine

BACK TO SCHOOL

Even though most kids are heading back to school in August, summer in the South is far from over and Amelia Island Sun Splash is a Summer event celebrating having fun in the sun.  The event takes place at Seaside Beach on Saturday, August 7, 2010, 8am – 7pm.  Come enjoy island fun on the beach with live music and lots of activities.

At 7 am, there will be a beach clean up with Keep Nassau Beautiful, followed by a surf contest at 8am.  Then it is time for the popular reggae music concert. Live reggae is performed from 1-7pm. There’s also a swimwear fashion show, volleyball, ping-pong, sand castle contest, giveaways and prizes.

AND ALL THAT JAZZ

There’s more music in the summer, than any other time of the year – especially when it comes to free concerts.  Head to Jacksonville Beach on Sunday August 8, 2010, for the next concert in the Summer Jazz series. The headliner: R n R featuring Rick Braun & Richard Elliott. For more details visit our special events page for the Summer Jazz series

Three favorite pastimes in Florida is without A  doubt playing golf, listening to good music and eating good food.  TPC Sawgrass took that into consideration and created The Summer Swing Music & BBQ, an event for golfers and non-golfers alike.  This sizzling summer series combines – golf, barbecue and music! The event takes place on August 18, 2010.

Visit the driving range and afterwards enjoy live music and delicious barbecue on the lawn at TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse. The event takes place from 6 – 10 p.m. and is open to the public. Call  904.543.5105 for more information.

The lawns of TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse, 110 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

ART OUTSIDE THE BOX

Fernandina’s art walk is doing things a little bit  differently compared to other art events on the coast.   Instead of competing for fame for  “the week of firsts”, the organizers were thinking outside the box and created an art walk on the Second Saturday of the month.  The self-guided art walk is called the Artrageous Artwalk in Fernandina and takes place on Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 5:30 – 8:30pm in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island. Meet the artists and enjoy a vast array of fine art.   This month the Island Art Association is hosting a Nouveau Art Reception ,”Sea and Sky” from 5-8pm. The featured artist is Rhonda Bristol, mixed media.

BAD MOON RISING

What goes down has to come back up, is that how the old saying goes? No, I’m not talking about the International Beer Day or the fact that August is Goat Cheese Month in the U.S.  That’s not where I was going at all.  The saying fits when it comes to the sun and the moon, that’s all I was saying.  Let’s just move on – and continue with the sun and the moon, two opposites marking the change from day to night. (Like that sentence better?)

In any case, on Tuesday August 24, 2010, you can view the sunset and moonrise from the most unique perspective in all of St. Augustine – from the vantage point of the top of the lighthouse. The Sunset/Moonlight Tour is $25 includes a champagne toast and light refreshments atop the tower and an informative overview of the history of the St. Augustine Light Station.

St. Augustine Lighthouse Tower is located on Anastasia Island, 81 Lighthouse Avenue in St. Augustine, FL.  This is a recurring event, for reservations and more dates call 904.829.0745 or visit www.staugustinelighthouse.com

TAILGATING IN STYLE

Nothing says summer better than barbequing – and on Amelia Island the experts are gathering for a special event. You will be able to smell your way across the island to the Inaugural Great Southern Tailgate Cook-Off at the Main Beach Park on Amelia Island. Over 40 cooking teams from across the country will compete for up to $20,000 in cash and prizes. The event takes place on Friday August 27 and Saturday August 28 on Amelia Island.

Visit our special event page for more information about the Great Southern Tailgate cook-Off

St. Augustine is alway a wonderful city to visit and to walk around in. There’s so much to see and do, but the last Saturday of the month is special. Uptown Saturday Night is a recurring event in St. Augustine, and it’s always popular but especially so in the summer months.  In August, Uptown Saturday Night takes place on Saturday August 28, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. the last Saturday of every month in the San Marco Shopping District.   Many galleries, antique stores and shops between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission of Nombre de Dios remain open during this special event. Meet artists, meet authors during book signings, enjoy live music and refreshments in a party-like atmosphere. The Mission of Nombre de Dios provides FREE PARKING for Uptown Saturday Night. The event is sponsored by the San Marco Avenue Merchants Association. Call 904.823.9263 for more information.