Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

The Crown Jewels – Royal Exhibit to Amelia Island, Florida

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The British royal family has a long history and tradition. Part of the tradition is embodied in the British Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower of London since 1303. The Crown Jewels are kept in a part of the Tower known as Jewel House, where armed guards defend them.

While the jewels never leave the Tower of London, the only existing sanctioned replicas will be on display at the Amelia Island Museum of History, April 22nd through July 24th.
Amelia Island is a suitable place for the exhibit, since the island itself is names after King George II’s daughter Amelia Sophia.

In 1733, James Oglethorpe founded the 13th British colony in America naming it Georgia after King George II. Later on he name Amelia Island after George’s daughter. The experts are not sure why. Some believe that Oglethorpe was trying to get support from George II in his endeavor to add Florida to the British colonies, while others think that Amelia Sophia and Oglethorpe might have been romantically involved.

Now you can experience a little bit of royal history right here on the coast. The Crown Jewel exhibit continues at Amelia Island Museum of History until July 24th.

Admission is free for museum members and $5 for non-members.

Amelia Island Museum, 233 South Third Street, Fernandina, Florida 32034
Phone: 904-261-7378

Royal Crown Jewels

The Amelia Island Pirate Run

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The morning was cold, very cold, but as soon as the sun came up, the weather was perfect for running. The Pirate Run 5K and 10K takes place in Fernandina every year and is organized by the Amelia Island Runners.

This year the new race headquarters was located at St. Peter’s Church. This is a very well organized event. There are pirates in customes cheering the runners at almost every street corner. The beautiful course goes through town out on the Greenway at Egans Creek.

This year I ran with my sister, Camilla, who is visiting from Sweden. This was her first 5K ever. First-timers received a special medal and she was lucky enough to win a basket of coffee.

After the race, there was a post-race pancake breakfast. The atmosphere at this event is very friendly, and if you’re looking for a fun and unusual race on the coast for next year, this is one experience you don’t want to miss.

Legendary Race Car to Lead World’s Finest Vintage Motor Cars to Amelia Island

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JACKSONVILLE, Florida (December 10, 2008) – An unprecedented collection of the world’s finest vintage motor cars will roll into Amelia Island, March 14th, 2009 for RM Auctions’ highly anticipated Automobiles of Amelia Island event.

A popular and permanent fixture on the auto events calendar since 1999, the annual multi-million dollar auction will once again be held in conjunction with the famed Amelia Island  to make for an ultimate vintage car weekend for motoring enthusiasts. Held on the grounds of the stunning Ritz-Carlton Hotel – a setting only surpassed in beauty by the magnificent cars on offer – the event weekend is commonly referred to as the ‘Pebble Beach of the East Coast’, attracting fashionable collectors and enthusiasts from around the globe.

“Our Automobiles of Amelia Island auction is an important event on the collector car calendar as it attracts many European and East Coast enthusiasts,” said Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of RM Auctions.

“From speed to style, this year’s event will feature a magnificent roster of collector cars, highlighted by several historic race cars, some of which share Florida’s rich automotive racing history,” he added.

For the car enthusiasts amongst us, some 100 vintage motor cars are set to cross the block during the single-day RM auction. Highlighting the exceptional line-up is the legendary 1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat “Yellow Peril” race car, a historic 1927 Bugatti T51 with an extensive racing history, and an innovative and beautifully restored 1954 Packard Panther Concept car, one of just four built and the only one in roadster form.

1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat “Yellow Peril” race carThe “Yellow Peril” has a fascinating vintage racing history. Regarded as one of the biggest and most powerful vehicles of its era, the original owner, John Greenway Albert, modified the car shortly after purchase in an effort to make “race ready”. Special modifications included constructing a one-off aluminum race body and a unique gas generating system – the latter which saw Albert emerge as a pioneer of fuel injection. Painted bright yellow, Albert name the car “The Yellow Peril” and raced it on various local dirt and board tracks, reportedly often removing the fenders and headlamps to further lighten the load.

Other notable highlights for the event include: a 1941 Chrysler Newport, one of the earliest concept cars built and used as the Official Pace Car for the 1941 Indianapolis 500; a stunning 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Faux Cabriolet “Charmaine”, one of the last Bugattis built before World War II and formerly owned by a remarkable series of famous British personalities; and a magnificent collection of 1932 V8 Fords.
RM’s Automobiles of Amelia Island auction event will be held at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island on March 14th, 2009. A full day auction preview will be held March 13th from 9am to 6pm followed by the auction from 11am on March 14th. Admission to the auction is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. The full-color collectable catalog is available for $100 U.S. (plus shipping), by calling (800)-211-4371 or visiting www.rmauctions.com.

About RM Auctions, Inc.
Celebrating nearly 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions Inc. and its associated companies are responsible for acquisitions, restorations and sales of the world’s rarest and most valuable vintage automobiles, including record-breaking sales in Maranello, Italy and London, England. RM’s restoration division achieved unprecedented accolades in 2006, when the Company earned “Best of Show” honors at the world’s top three collector car events in a single year. www.rmauctions.com

Fort Clinch State Park Holiday Encampment – Amelia Island, FL

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Christmas in Love ...The Fort Clinch State Park Holiday Encampment is a gathering of re-enactors decorating the fort for Christmas. Volunteers in Civil War era costume place boughs of fresh greenery on the mantles of every room in the fort, put up and decorate a period Christmas tree, and portray daily life as it was in 1864. The ladies string berries and popcorn to decorate the tree, fires are burning in the fireplaces and soldiers answer questions about what it is like to be stationed at Fort Clinch. For details call (904) 277-7274.
9:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday 12/6
9:00am to 12:00pm on Sunday 12/7

Annual Holiday Light Celebration – Amelia Island, FL

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Red ChristmasLet the holiday season begin as we light up the resort with thousands of twinkling white lights. Join us at The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation for an enjoyable evening filled with live entertainment, complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies, and horse & carriage rides. Don’t forget to take your picture with Santa! All events subject to change. Please contact the Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation at (904) 432-2202 or www.aipfl.com for more information.