Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Registration Open for St. Johns County Festival of Trees at World Golf Village

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Fifth-Annual Community Event to be held Dec. 4 through 13

St. Augustine, Fla. (Sept. 8, 2009) – Registration has opened for local companies, organizations, schools, churches, families and friends that want to participate in the 2009 St. Johns County Festival of Trees at World Golf Village. The holiday event, now in its fifth year, will showcase decorated trees and wreaths throughout the St. Johns County Convention Center, adjacent to the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village. The event will take place Friday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 13 to benefit two local charities.

Teams interested in participating in the Festival of Trees can decorate their choice of a miniature tree (three feet), a small tree (four to six feet), a large tree (seven to 10 feet) and or a wreath (24-28 inches) based on Festival rules and regulations. Registration forms and additional event information can be found at http://wgv.com/todo/fot.php.

All trees and wreaths will be part of a silent auction and available for visitors to purchase for their home or business. Also, when touring the display of decorated trees throughout the convention center, visitors will be encouraged to fill out a ballot indicating the number of votes (in minimum $1 bids) they would like to cast for their favorite trees. Proceeds raised during the event from public votes and the silent auction will go directly to two St. Johns County-based charities, The St. Augustine Record’s Empty Stocking Fund and the United Way of St. Johns County.

“In varied economies, the Festival has raised thousands of dollars over the past years for the Empty Stocking Fund and the United Way of St. Johns County to help families in our community,” said Derek May, publisher of The St. Augustine Record. “We look forward to this year’s event and the inspiration and generosity it will bring from our community.”

The Festival of Trees will begin Friday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. and remain open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The event will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the final day, Sunday, Dec. 13. For more information on the St. Johns County Festival of Trees, call 904-940-4118 or go to the December events calendar at www.wgv.com.

St. Johns County Festival of Trees is presented by World Golf Village Associates: Grande Villas at World Golf Village, Honours Golf, Renaissance Resort and the World Golf Hall of Fame.

City of St. Augustine Celebrating 444 Years of Age

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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 Park”.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

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Florida Heritage Book Festival in St Augustine 2009

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Believe it or not, but it’s that time of year again. Time flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it?

This festival on Sept 11-12, 2009, is an action-packed event for anyone who is interested in writing books, or interested in reading books too. You get an opportunity to rub elbows with authors, book-lovers, publishers and others at this event. The program includes workshops, keynotes and much more.

Check out the website at www.fhbookfest.com for more information.

Watch the video for more details.

Old City Farmers Market at St. Augustine Amphitheatre

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In St Augustine you can visit the Old City Farmers Market on Saturday mornings for a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and more. The market offers locally grown vegetables, organic food, fruits, artesian breads, pastries, flowers and plants, herbs, roasted peanuts, bonsai, and even the famous datil sauces the area is known for.
Datil is a locally grown hot pepper.
There’s also a great assortment of soups, burritos and other delicious foods so come hungry and plan to have lunch!

This market is held every Saturday, rain or shine, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

St. Augustine Amphitheatre, is located 1340 A1A south, about 2 miles south of the Bridge of Lions and 1 mile north of SR 312 on A1A

Click here for the events calendar post for Old City Farmers Market, St Augustine

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