Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Things to do in Florida in September 2010

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Festival season goes into swing as soon as life goes back to normal i.e. the kids go back to school. One of the busiest weekends is of course Labor Day Weekend (click here to read our previous post about Labor Day events in Florida). For the remainder of the month of September, here are a few ideas for things to do in Northeast Florida.

Music by the Sea Concert – St. Augustine Beach, Florida

Sept 8, Sept 15, Sept 29
On two occasions in September – the 8tth, 15th and 29th – you have an opportunity enjoy live music on the beach.

Artrageous Artwalk Fernandina – Amelia Island, Fl
September 11, 2010, 5:30 – 8:30pm

Second Saturday Artrageous Artwalks. Meet the artists and enjoy a vast array of fine art. This month the featured artists at the Island Art Associaion co-op gallery is the Fiber Group. The gallery is located at 18 N. 2nd Street. For more information call 904-277-0717

Cycling Festival – St. Augustine, Fl
Sept 11 – 12, 2010
Are you interested in finding a more planet friendly mode of transportation – or do you just like bicycles? If so, this is a festival you don’t want to miss. The Cycling Festival takes place on September 11 – 12, 2010, at St. Augustine Amphitheatre.

Visit the Cycling Festival website

From bicycle touring to an exposition of bike vendors and food, this second annual event features North Florida Bicycle Club’s Endless Watermelon Ride; Vendors from local bicycle shops and bike manufacturers; Adult and Children’s Bicycle Safety Course; and performances by two live bands, Pili Pili and Trap Door.

Florida Heritage Book Festival – St Augustine, Fl
Sept 24 – 25,2010

This is the 3rd Florida Heritage Book Festival in the first city. If you are interested in writing or just love reading, this is a literary event for you. Best-sellers, writers’ workshops, authors in schools and Literary Legends are just some of the favorites of this preeminent event.

Wings and Wheels at Craigs Airport
Sept 25 from 10 – 4 pm
This is a dream come true for boys and girls who love machines. This festival combines “wheels” such as cars and trucks to “wings” – the airplanes. Read more about the event in our previous post - just click here.

uptown saturday nightUptown Saturday Night – St Augustine, Fl
Sept 25, 2010 from 5-9 pm.

Get ready for a party after dark – or should we say at dusk? The Uptown Saturday Night is one of St. Augustine’s most popular recurring events taking place at the end of the month in San Marcos Shopping District. Antique stores, art galleries, and others remain open from 5 – 9 p.m.

St Augustine Garrison at Fort Mose
Experience living history demonstrations conducted by authentic colonial Spanish reenactors on the last Saturday of each month. The demonstration take place at 11 a.m.

Fort Mose State Park is located off US 1 North

Fort Mose State Park, 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, FL 904.823.2232

Fort Mose website

Home and Patio Show – Jacksonville, Florida
Sep 30 – Oct 3, 2010

At the Jacksonville Home & Patio Show you can find all kinds of products for your home. Come to this show or take a look at new products, listen to experts or participate in workshops, get ideas and inspirations for your next renovation project, find out about hurricane season must-haves, cool gadgets and find the best home improvement deals. More than 500 vendors will give guests a chance to see, touch and feel the hottest in home products- and go home with ideas and tips that can be put to immediate use.

Click here to visit our special page for the Home and Patio Show in Jacksonville

Other Jacksonville stories:

David Allen Coe in Jacksonville in September

Black Crowes perform on the coast

Crosby,Stills and Nash comes to Jacksonville, Florida

NAS Air Show

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Labor Day Weekend – Florida – 2010

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Even though most kids are heading back to school in August, and the stores are advertising for their Back To School Specials already, summer in Florida is far from over.  We’re just not ready to give up on the beach, outdoor concerts and fun in the sun. Make Labor Day weekend count and let’s have some fun with family and friends. We have come up with a few suggestions for you.

(Here is the link to our video podcast about Labor Day Weekend on the coast!)

Opening of the Beaches - Sand Castle Competition Jacksonville Beach, Fl
Fun on the beach

Sun Splash – Amelia Island
Who said we had to say goodbye to summer, instead let’s have fun in the sun.  The Sun Splash event takes place at Seaside Beach on Saturday, September 4, 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.

American Music Festival in Daytona Beach
Daytona is known for auto racing and NASCAR, but this weekend it’s all about music in Daytona. It’s the American Music Festival in Daytona Beach, September 1-5, 2010.
The festival holds concerts with big name artists such as Usher, Jonas Brothers, Tony Bennett and more at the Bandshell, Ocean Center and Peabody Auditorium. Artists will also take the stage at the community stages on the festival campus.

Click here to visit our special page for American Music Festival

Labor Day in St Augustine

Birthday Bash in St Augustine
The city turns 445 years old this year and the big day is celebrated with a reenactment of the landing and a special cutting of the birthday cake.
Click here to read more about the Birthday in St Augustine Celebration

Concerts in the Plaza
Also in St. Augustine there’s a free concert at Plaza de la Constitution on Sunday September 6th with The St. Augustine Jazz Society. The music starts at 1 pm – 5 pm. For more information, visit our special page about Concerts in the Plaza in St. Augustine

First Friday Art Walk – St Augustine
On Friday September 2nd, it’s time for another First Friday Art Walk in St. Augustine. This is alwyas a fun event with lots of people mingling, checking out local arts. You can read more about on our special events page.

Toby Keith in St. Augustine, Florida

More music – Toby Keith with Jaron and The Long Road To Love are performing at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on Labor Day Weekend.  The concert is scheduled for Sunday, Sept 5, 2010 at 7:17 pm.  This is one of the big concerts of the year, don’t miss out.

Click here to buy tickets now!

Spend a Day at the Beach Downtown Jacksonville
Going to the beach is a tradition for Labor Day Weekend.   But for those who would rather hang out downtown, the beach comes to the Jacksonville Landing for the third year in a row.   The beach will be open to the public for the extended Labor Day Weekend festivities starting already on Wednesday, September 1 and will remain open until Monday, September 6.

Hula Hoop contests for kids and adults will take place on Saturday with live entertainment beginning at noon. A pair of tickets to a home Jaguars Game will be given away on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. during the Big Cat Sand Dig Competition. The celebration will wrap up with a live performance by the world-famous Sauce Boss on Sunday at 4 p.m. and live music on Monday.

Here is the complete schedule:

Wednesday, September 1
Art Walk “Art Takes Shape” 5-9 p.m. Featuring a sandcastle building contest and live entertainment in the Courtyard by George Aspinall Band 7 – 11 p.m.
Arts Market 5 – 9 p.m. in front of The Landing, including over a dozen local artists and crafters.

Thursday, September 2
Adamec Bike Night 6 – 10 p.m. with live entertainment by The Ride 7 – 11 p.m. Free bike parking, $10 bike washes, on-site tattooing, live entertainment, prizes and many other vendors. Adamec Bike Night takes place on the first Thursday of each month.

Friday, September 3
Big Cat Sand Dig for a pair of tickets to a Jaguars home game 7 p.m.
Live music in the Courtyard by George Aspinall Band 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Saturday, September 4
Live music in the Courtyard by Palmetto Catz 2 – 6 p.m. and Radio 80 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Kids Hula Hoop Competition 3 p.m.
Shag Lessons and Demonstrations by the First Coast Shag Club 2 – 3 p.m.
Big Cat Sand Dig for a pair of tickets to a Jaguars home game 7 p.m.
Open Hula Hoop Competition 8 p.m.

Sunday, September 5
Shag Lessons and Demonstrations by the First Coast Shag Club 2 – 3 p.m.
Sauce Boss LIVE! 4 – 8 p.m. Enjoy a performance by celebrity gumbo chef and entertainer the Sauce Boss … and even try his famous gumbo!
Live music in the Courtyard by The Rhythm Cure 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Monday, September 6
Live music in the Courtyard by Hipp Street 4 – 8 p.m.

For more information visit www.jacksonvillelanding.com

Things to do – Northeast Florida – August 2010

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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.

Start your art walk at Hemming Plaza

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

Summer Jazz at Jax Beach

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.

Magnificent view from the lighthouse

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

The Great Tailgate Cookoff Amelia Island Florida
Tailgate 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.

A Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children

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Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of ChildrenA Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children
Next Exhibit in St. Johns County Rotunda Gallery

Have you ever wondered how a child views the town they live in? A new exhibit in the St. Johns County Rotunda Gallery will present a unique look of Lincolnville as seen by its younger residents.

Opening Reception
The opening reception for A Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children will take place on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 8:00a.m. before the St. Johns County Board of Commissions meeting in the County Administration building located at 500 San Sebastian View.

Young Artists
The exhibit will feature 20 photographs and 7 paintings portraying the Lincolnville neighborhood.  The participating artists range in age from 11 to16 years old. Local photographer, Justin Itnyre gave direction to the young photographers and  local art instructor, Corrie Borglund,  helped as well.  The childrens’ photographs will be published in a book later this year.

A Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children will be on exhibit through October.  It is the first all student art exhibit to hang in the Rotunda.

The Cyprian Center of Expressive Arts
The mission of the Cyprian Center of Expressive Arts is to bring art and art programming to the Lincolnville community. In keeping with this mission, the Cyprian Center applied for and received a grant from the Crisp Ellert Fund for a project titled, A Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children.

The St. Johns County Administration building is located at 500 San Sebastian View in St. Augustine , just south of the County’s Lewis Speedway complex.

The exhibit is available for public viewing weekdays between 8:00a.m. and 5:00p.m.
The Cultural Council is funded in part by a Local Arts Agency Grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and through the support of Regions

Bank. For more information about the Council and cultural events, visit www.stjohnsculture.com.

Day in the Life of Lincolnville Through the Eyes of Children

BRIDGE OF LIONS 5K RUN 2010

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The Bridge of Lions reopened this year after long renovation, and this weekend it’s time for the popular 5K in St. Augustine.

The race will begin at the southern end of the Castillo de San Marcos on Avenida Menendez, then south on Avenida Menendez, east over the Bridge of Lions, and through Davis Shores for the finish. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. and finishes by 10:30 a.m.

For more information, call 904.815.1004.