Take a leisurely walk through The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation to catch a glimpse of local artwork. Fourteen artists will be displaying their creations for you on the porches of our quaint shopping village. Live entertainment and a wine tasting will also be available from 12 – 2 p.m. Complimentary. All events subject to change. Please contact the Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation at (904) 432-2202 or visit the website for more information.
Holiday Events on Amelia Island
Celebrate the holiday season on Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, Florida. Besides taking relaxing strolls on the beach, visit the quaint little historic town Fernandina Beach. There are lots of events happening in December, here are just a few.
December 6-7, 13-14, & 20-21, 2008
Story Book Tea Party
Throughout the month of December, jolly old St. Nick will be dropping in at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for Santa’s Story Book Tea Party. The parties will provide sandwiches, sweets, tea and party favors for each child, along with a holiday story book performance. Admission is $39 for ages 3 and up. Reservations are required. For event reservations and information, call (904) 277-1028.
December 12, 2008
Holiday Champagne Dinner at Salt
At 6 p.m. on Friday, December 12, join Chef de Cuisine Richard Gras for a signature wine dinner at Salt, the island’s only AAA five diamond restaurant. A truly fantastic and fascinating dining experience, the dinner will feature wine experts who will discuss each wine’s unique characteristics and to answer questions. Served with a seven-course tasting menu designed to complement the featured vintage, the dinners are as entertaining as they are exquisite. The featured winery for the dinner is Veuve Clicquot. Tickets are $135 per person and reservations are required, as space is limited. To make a reservation, call (904) 491-6746.
December 13
Fernandina Beach Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
The 1st Annual Fernandina Beach Lighted Christmas Boat Parade will be held on Saturday evening, December 13, 2008 at the Water Front Marina at the foot of Centre and Ash Streets in downtown Fernandina Beach. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., spectators are invited to bring their chairs to view the lighted parade from along the beautiful waterfront walkway. All boats will be decorated with lights in a Christmas/Holiday theme. Applications will be available online at www.downtownfernandina.com after October 1, 2008. The 1st Annual Fernandina Beach Lighted Christmas Boat Parade is hosted by the Historic Fernandina Business Association. For more information, contact Sandy Price, event coordinator, at 904-206-0756 or by email at slprice@bellsouth.net.
December 31, 2008
New Years Eve party at the Falcon’s Nest
Toast the New Year at Falcon’s Nest at Amelia Island Plantation. The evening includes dancing to a live DJ starting at 10 p.m., party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. It’s the perfect way to ring in the New Year, island-style. Space is limited to the first 150 people, and a cover charge will be required. Those looking to start the celebration earlier can enjoy a prime rib dinner from 5-10 p.m. for $19.95 per adult. Call (904) 491-4242 for more information.
Events in November – Amelia Island, Florida
Upcoming events on Amelia Island include:
November 20, 2008
2008 Beaujolais Nouveau
On November 20, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island will celebrate the arrival of the 2008 Beaujolais Nouveau with a lavish fete in the Ritz-Carlton ballroom. An annual tradition since 1991, the event has featured the arrival of the world-famous wine by parachute, pirate ship, and Mercedes. More than 500 guests will enjoy the elegant affair, featuring art, wine and abundant hors d’oeuvres in a traditional French bistro setting. For ticket information for this extravagant event, please call (904) 277-1028.
November 22, 2008
Amelia Island Bed and Breakfast Association Holiday Cookie Tour
Looking for a new cookie recipe? Let Fernandina’s “pro” bakers share a recipe and a taste of their signature baked goods during the annual Holiday Cookie Tour. Enjoy a holiday treat and a walk through the common area of seven of Amelia’s beautiful inn’s, all decked out in holiday attire covering Thanksgiving through Christmas. Held from 1 – 5 p.m., the tour will include admission to the Addison on Amelia, Amelia Island Williams House, Ash Street Inn, Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Fairbanks House, Florida House Inn, and Hoyt House. Tickets are $20 each and are available at any of the seven inns, the Visitor’s Depot on Centre Street, and the Chamber of Commerce Gateway Office. For more information, visit www.ameliaislandinns.com.
November 26, 2008
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Character Dinner
At 5:30 p.m., the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island will hold their Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, complete with refreshments, music and, of course, a visit from Santa. The celebration will be followed by a Holiday Character Dinner at 6:30 p.m., where the family can dine with Santa, elves, reindeer and other holiday characters. Admission to the Character dinner is $49 for adults and $25 for children 3-12. The tree lighting is free and open to the public. For event reservations and information, please call (904) 277-1028.
November 28, 2008
Annual Pajama Party Sale & Contest
Snuggling into the holiday shopping season in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, the Annual Pajama Party Sale & Contest on Centre Street will begin at 8 a.m. Held the Friday after Thanksgiving, shoppers can enjoy free contest registration until 11 a.m., giving them plenty of time to slip into their footed pajamas, bunny slippers, and other assorted sleepwear. Pajama clad shoppers enjoy special deals and discounts, along with fresh juice, coffee and pastries to fuel their shopping spirit. Shoppers entering the contest are eligible for “Best Dressed Individual Shopper in Pajamas” and “Best Dressed Shopping Group in Pajamas.” For more information, contact Sandy Price at (904) 261-9504.
November 28, 2008
Annual Holiday Light Celebration
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Amelia Island Plantation will light up the holiday season with thousands of twinkling white lights. From 6 to 9 p.m., visit The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation for an enjoyable evening of live entertainment, complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies, and horse and carriage rides. And don’t forget to get your picture with Santa. For more information, go to www.aipfl.com/Calendar_of_Events_Shops.htm, or contact The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation at (904) 432-2202.
November 29
Fernandina Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The City of Fernandina Beach and Historic Fernandina Business Association will host the official City of Fernandina Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Held in front of the old train depot at the foot of Centre Street, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive early, at 3 p.m., to meet and be available to take pictures with the kids of the community. Music by area choirs and bands will also take place in the downtown business district from 3 to 6 p.m. at various locations. Santa will return each Saturday in December, allowing parents a picture perfect opportunity. For more information, contact Melba Whitaker at 904-261-3635 or access the Calendar of Events at www.downtownfernandina.com.
November 29, 2008
Holiday Carnival
From 4 to 7 p.m., Amelia Island Plantation will hold its annual Holiday Carnival at The Spa & Shops. Bring the whole family to enjoy a ride on the carousel, chat with Santa Claus during a horse and carriage ride, and complimentary Christmas Cookies and Hot Chocolate. For more information, contact The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation at (904) 432-2202 or www.aipfl.com/Calendar_of_Events_Shops.htm.
Fernandina Welcomes 12 Cyclists Journeying 2,000 Miles to Promote Life
The 2008 Five Points of Life Ride, covering over 2,000 miles in a 30- day period, will make a stop in Fernandina Beach Sunday, October 26. The Ride is traveling through six southeastern states and participating in events in more than 30 cities, including Fernandina. The free community-wide event will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Fernandina Beach dock and will include entertainment, refreshments and a short program featuring individuals who have been touched by donation.
“We are so happy to have this group come to our community to help spread the word about these life-saving donations,†said local businessman and organ donor father, David Caples. “Please come and out support the riders for their personal commitment to donation and hear how transplantation has touched so many lives right here in our community.â€
The team members include a donor who has given more than 50 gallons of blood, a rider whose marrow donation saved the life of a nurse in Australia, and a rider who is able to pedal a bike because she received a kidney transplant. There are 12 riders from around the country, seven of whom are from Florida.
The Riders will come to Fernandina from St. Mary’s, Ga. via the Cumberland Sound Ferry. The ferry ride is considered an extension of the Coastal Georgia Greenway, a 450-mile long bike trail through the state.
“It is exciting for us to be utilizing the Greenway for the first time and for such a meaningful endeavor. It’s also nice to have a national group of riders being exposed to our beautiful community,†said Cumberland Sound Ferry owner/operator, Kevin McCarthy.
The timeline for the day is:
1:30 – Riders arrive in St. Mary’s at Spencer House
2:30 – Riders & VIP’s depart St. Mary’s via ferry
3:30 – Ferry arrives Fernandina Beach, mingle for a short while, enjoy entertainment
4-4:30 pm – Educational program at Fernandina Beach dock
4:30 – 5pm – mingle & media interviews
The Ride, which started in Alabama October 1, is designed to raise awareness of the need for the five ways we can save lives through donation: whole blood, apheresis, marrow and blood stem cells, cord blood and organ & tissue. A group of 12 nonprofessional cyclists from across the United States, each with a personal connection to one or more of the five points, is riding from Alabama to Florida to share their messages. The Ride will end October 29 in Cedar Key, Fla.
With the support of many of the national donor organizations and the financial support of corporate sponsors, LifeSouth organized the first cross-country Five Points of Life ride in 1997. You can learn more about LifeSouth by visiting their Web site at www.lifesouth.org.
Local groups assisting in this event are The Katie Caples Foundation (www.katierideforlife.org), LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services (www.lifequestfla.org), SETA (www.donorcare.org) and the Blood Alliance (www.igiveblood.com).
Florida Gators vs Georgia Bulldogs welcomed on Amelia Island Florida
One of college football’s Top 10 rivalries will unfold November 1 at Jacksonville’s Alltel stadium. As the University of Florida Gators take on the University of Georgia Bulldogs during the popular Football Classic, fans of both teams will return to their annual tailgate headquarters of Amelia Island.
During the weekend, Centre Street will be filled with street musicians offering patrons at the downtown shops and restaurants a special treat. Amelia Island Plantation is offering its own special fan-friendly activities. On Friday, October 31, The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation is throwing a pre-party from noon to 5 p.m., complete with complimentary beer, wine and Island Oasis frozen drinks. At 5 p.m. the party continues at the Dawg/Gator Boardwalk Bash, featuring dollar beers, live entertainment and much more. Beginning at 8 p.m., the “Frat Bash” kicks off at the Grand Pavilion. This exciting ticketed event will offer a dance party with two of America’s favorite recording acts, the legendary Tams, and The Swingin’ Medallions, “The Party Band of the South.”