April 1, 2011 – Sounds on Centre

Come to downtown Fernandina and listen to live music under the stars. You can read more about this seasonal Amelia Island event by clicking here.

April 2 – 3, 2011 – First Weekend Union Garrison

This event takes place on the first weekend of the month at Fort Clinch State Park. On Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

During the First Weekend, living historians will recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War Between the States. This is a fun way to learn a little bit about our history for the whole family. Activities may include black powder artillery demonstrations and marching drills, as well as soldiers and civilians taking up duty in the laundry, infirmary and kitchen. Candlelight viewings on Saturday evenings every First Weekend except December.

Fees: Park entrance fee plus $2.00 per person Fort admission.

Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.

April 2, 2011 – Old Town Fernandina Bicentennial Celebration

Two hundred years ago, the small community of Fernandina was so named by Spanish Governor Enrique White, and the town was platted according to the Spanish Law of the Indies of 1573.  On April 2, 2011, Old Town Fernandina will mark this milestone with Bicentennial Day, a celebration of Old Fernandina’s unique history.  In 1811, two events took place in Old Town Fernandina that were milestones in the development of today’s City of Fernandina Beach. On January 1, the name of the Spanish Amelia Island Military Post and the town that had grown up around it was renamed Fernandina. The decree, issued by Enrique White, the Spanish Governor of the Spanish Province of East Florida, was issued on December 24, 1810, and named the town for Spain’s King Ferdinand VII.

On May 11, 1811 Jose Estrada, White’s successor as Governor instructed his Surveyor-General George F Clarke to plat the town according to the Spanish Law of the Indies. Other US cities have used the same plan include Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Los Angeles. Fernandina was the last to be so platted, and according to the University of Florida “the Old Town grid remains as one of the last and purest examples of the Law of the Indies planning Edict of 1573”.

In 1811, Old Fernandina was booming as it profited from being close to the United States, but not subject to its laws. Smuggling and Slave-Trading were the mainstays of its economy. As the US grew in international stature, it became increasingly obvious thatWashington could not allow Amelia Island and Fernandina to remain in foreign hands. The next 10 years saw much of Fernandina’s colorful history as five of the island’s eight flags were raised and lowered, but in 1821, when Florida became a US Territory much of this “economic stimulus” was removed.The event will include walking tours, home tours, nature walks, archeological exploration, authentic Spanish music and Flamenco, a pirate weapons display, re-enactors, and much more.

• Archeological Exploration – join experts from Florida Public Archeological Network.
• Authentic Spanish Music and Flamenco – talented musicians from around the U.S. and Spain perform classical and contemporary Spanish music and dance.
• Bosque Bello tours – meet costumed past residents of Old Fernandina courtesy of Amelia Island Genealogical Society.
• Fort-to-Fort 5K Family Fun. – run or walk from site of Fort San Carlos, through the State Park and along the old military road to Fort Clinch, Amelia Island Runners.
• Free Trolley shuttle service from North End Boat Ramp to and around Old Town from Amelia Island Trolleys.
• Home tours – Old Town residents welcome you into their living rooms and display the diversity of cottages and Captains’ homes.
• Nature of Old Town walks – explore flora and fauna of woods and river’s edge with Florida State Park Master Naturalist
• Pirates’ weapons display, and Pirate School – courtesy of Fernandina Pirates.
• Re-enactors on San Carlos Plaza.
• Spanish Choral Works – Island Chamber Singers.
• Spanish Petanca – try your skill and join local enthusiasts, courtesy of Petanque America Inc.
• Treasure Hunt – children seek the ‘legendary Treasure of Old Town’, courtesy of Fernandina Pirates.
• Vignettes of History – learn of the tumultuous Second Spanish period through the lives of then-residents, including Felipa the Witch of Old Town.
• Walking tours – learn of Old Fernandina’s extraordinary history with Amelia Island Museum of History docents.

Schedule:

Fort to Fort Run  (5K)                          08:30 AM

Official Opening                                    10:00 AM

Pirate Invasion                                      10:15 AM

Nature of Old Town                             10:30 AM and 2:00 PM

Pirate School                                        11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Sail Boat Race On The River                10:30 AM

Vignettes of History                              11 AM and 1:30 PM

Spanish/Music/Dance                           1:00 – 5:00 PM

Spanish Choral Music                           2:00 – 2:45 PM

Captain’s Homes, Cottages Tours         10:30-3:30 PM

Walking tours                                       10:30-3:00 PM

From 10:00 AM, Archeological dig, Bosque Bello Tour, Petanca by the Plaza, Music, Pirate weapons display, Vendors.

Home Tours – $10 prior to April 2 – $12 day of

Tickets available from March 21^st at the Museum of History and Lindy’s on Centre Street .

Bosque Bello Tours – $8, $10 day of.  On sale at the library.

For more information: www.oldtownfernandina.org or call 904 491 1259

Note: These events may be modified or withdrawn at any time.

Join Kevin McCarthy of Amelia River Cruises for a fun way to travel to the Bicentennial Celebration of Old Town! Ferry service out of Fernandina Harbor Marina begins at 9:30 a.m. and will run out of Fernandina every hour on the half hour. Return trips from Old Town begin at 10 a.m. and will run every hour on the hour. Price is $5 roundtrip for adults; seniors (65 and older) and children under 12 years of age ride free! No reservations taken, first come; first serve basis.

• Last departure from Fernandina Harbor Marina – 5 p.m.

• Last return trip from Old Town – 5:30 p.m.

April 6, 2011 — Amelia Island Lighthouse Tours

The only way to visit the Amelia Island Lighthouse up close and personal, is by going on the tour. The tour leaves from the Atlantic Ave Recreation Center.

on the 1st and 3rd Wed of the month through May, A shuttle will depart from the Atlantic Ave Rec Center for a tour of the Lighthouse. Limit 25 people per tour. Call 904-277-7350 for more information.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 10am

Atlantic Ave Recreation Center, 2500 Atlantic Avenue, FERNANDINA

Cost: Adults, $5; children 12 & under, $3

www.fbfl.us

April 8, 2011 — Friends of the Library Book Sale

Stock up for the summer and get new books to read. If you love to read and enjoy books, you certainly want to take advantage of the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Choose from books, audio books, magazines, videos, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, children’s books, games, and puzzles—with prices ranging from $.50 to $3 for most items. For the best deals, get there early to examine specially priced first editions and other special collections. The sale takes place at the Peck Recreation Center., 516 South 10th Street, Fernandina Beach, on Friday, April 8, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and continues on Saturday, April 9, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m., with fire-sale markdowns early Saturday afternoon. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Fernandina Beach Library, so you’ll be getting great deals and supporting a good cause.

Friday, April 8, 2011, 9:30am – 5pm

Peck Recreation Center, 516 South 10th Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida

Fernandina Beach Library: (904) 277-7365

April 9, 2011 — Artrageous Art Walk

This is a self-guided artwalk in downtown Fernandina. Take a nice stroll around town and get a first look at art from the area. You can read more about this event on our special events page, just click here.

April 16, 2011 — 8th Annual Arts and Crafts Show

This annual event is a showcase for fine artisans and craftsmen from throughout the northwest Florida/ southeastern Georgia region. Items featured include paintings, photographs, fabric accessories for the home and for personal wear, designer jewelry, beautiful glass objects, and other mixed media creations. The show is held in Maxwell Hall behind the Memorial United Methodist Church, 601 Centre Street, from 9am until 3 pm. There is no charge for admission. Delicious baked goods and light lunches are available for purchase.

Saturday, April 16, 2011, 9am – 3pm at Memorial United Methodist Church, 601 Centre St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

904-261-8314

April 29 — 48th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

The shrimp festival on Amelia Island takes place from April 29-May 1, 2011, with lots of fun for the whole family.   The popular event features a nationally-recognized juried fine arts and crafts show, antiques, live entertainment, kids activities, contests, pirates, free admission and 25 food booths serving up the tastiest shrimp you can find, prepared every way possible by local non-profit organizations, and of course a parade and a pirate invasion. Read more about the shrimp festival by clicking here.