Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Things to do in St Augustine, Florida in June, 2012

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Here is our take on what to do in St. Augustine in June, 2012. There is quite a bit going on in St. Augustine over the Summer. St. Augustine is a popular destination, so there are always a lot of monthly or recurring events such as the First Friday Art Walk, Uptown Saturday Night, Concerts in the Plaza and Music by the Sea. June is also a big month for Greek culture in St. Augustine. Here’s our list.

First Friday Art Walk
June 1, 2012
This monthly event returns to St. Augustine on June 1st. The art walk is a self-guided gallery tour in downtown St. Augustine with lots of participants and lots of fun.
You can read more about the event on our page for the First Friday Artwalk in St. Augustine

Drake’s Raid
June 2, 2012
On June 2nd, 2012 in the 26th reenactment of Sir Francis Drake’s Raid on old San Agustine.
A 16th century-style military encampment opens at the Fountain of Youth Park. Here you can watch
military drills, living history demonstrations and much more. The encampment is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The reenactment of the sacking and burning of the Old City begins on Saturday evening at 7:00 PM at the Old City Gates.
The battle continues through the streets of St. Augustine and ends in the Plaza.
The event is created to symbolically commemorate the temporary abandonment of the city of St. Augustine by Spanish colonial forces. After the town was looted and burned by Francis Drake’s men, the Spanish returned to rebuild upon the same streets you walk on today.

St Augustine, Florida

Old City Farmer’s Market
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
The Farmer’s Market at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on A1A South is open on Saturdays from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.
At the Old City Farmers Market you can find fresh produce, baked goods, hand-crafted items, plants
and even fresh seafood during the season.

Anastasia State Park Beach Bash
Saturday, June 2, 2012
This is the 18th Annual Beach Bash at the state park on Anastasia Island.The event includes sand castle building, bird walk, low tide bike ride and much more and takes place from 9 am to 3 pm. Admission to the park is $8.00 per vehicle for up to 8 people. Anastasia State Park is located at 1340 A1A South in St. Augustine, just 2 miles from downtown.Call 904.461.2035 for more information.

Weapons Demonstrations at Fort Matanzas
June 2, 2012
To get to the fort you have to take the National Park Service’s ferry to Rattlesnake Island.
Here you can experience daily military life at Fort Matanzas, exactly how it used to be during the 18th century. The Spanish fort, Fort Matanzas, guarded the southern approach to St. Augustine.
Re-enactors dressed in uniform will demonstrate Spanish muskets and cannons at the fort from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Admission is free. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located on A1A at the south end of Anastasia Island approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine.
For more information call 904-471-0116 or visit www.nps.gov/foma
There are no fees to enter the park or o take the ferry. The 36 person ferry operates on first come first serve basis.
The Historic Weapon Firing Demonstration take place the first Saturday of the month. Call 904.471.0116 for more information.

Magnificent view from the lighthouse

Sunset Moonrise Tour of the St. Augustine Lighthouse
Monday, June 4, 2012
Enjoy a view of the sunset and full Moonrise from the most unique perspective of all – atop the St. Augustine Lighthouse on Anastasia Island. This special event includes a champagne toast (provided by San Sebastian Winery) and light hors d’oeuvres (provided by The Reef). Tickets are $25 for non-members ($20 for museum members), reservations are required and space is limited. For more information or to reserve call (904) 829-0745. 
June 4th, Monday from 7:45 – 9:15 (next event July 3 or August 2)

Music by the Sea
June 6, 13, 20, 27
This popular free Summer concert series returns to St. Augustine Beach.
Bring your own chair or a blanket and enjoy a lively musical performance by Navy PRIDE.
This family-friendly fun event takes place every Wednesday evening through September
from 7 to 9 p.m. at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Pavilion on A1A Beach Blvd.
Admission is free. Enjoy a signature dinner starting at 6 p.m. from Gas Restaurant for under $10.00.
Or just pack your own picnic. For more information, please call 904.347.8007.

Concerts in the Plaza
June 7,14, 21, 28 2012
This is another popular free concert in St. Augustine.
free evening concert in St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitucion.
Enjoy the cool breezes under a canopy of live oaks as you listen, clap and dance to live entertainment performed by Bob & Joline’s Friends of Mine Band. The concert takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 904.825.1004.

Big Fat Greek Food Festival
June 8 – 10, 2012
Now you can completely geek out at this Greek Food festival in St. Augustine, Florida.
The Old City has one of the oldest greek communities in the country, so if you haven’t tried greek food before,
here’s your opportunity to taste greek food, experience greek music, dancing and culture.
You can read all about this Summer festival at our Greek Festival in St Augustine page.

2012 Fountain Mercury King Buster 400
June 14 – 17, 2012
Put your fishing skills to the test in the premiere Southern Kingfish competition of the year – with over $175,000 in cash and prizes! The tournament kicks off on Wednesday with a children’s fishing outing from the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, located at Avenida Menendez and the Bridge of Lions. The King Buster 400 is limited to 400 boats.
In Thursday, the Junior Angler Registration is from 5 -7 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. Captain’s Meeting. On Friday, the Junior Angler Tournament takes place with a noon to 3 p.m. weigh-in and a 6:30 p.m. Awards presentation. The Main Tournament Captains’ Meetings take place from 3 to 7 p.m.
On Saturday the tournament takes place from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weigh-in is from 3 to 6 p.m.
On Sunday, there will be an awards party with live music Friday from 1 to 6 p.m.
For more information, call 904.759.6588

World Golf Village, St Augustine, Florida

Vettes at the Village
June 16, 2012
Corvettes gather at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, so if you are a car enthusiast, this is the event you don’t want to miss. Or if you are planning to visit the World Golf Village anyway, this might be a good time to do so for you.
feature over 100 classic, late model and custom Corvettes around the Walk of Champions from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An award ceremony featuring Best of Show and People’s Choice will follow the show. It all takes place at World Golf Village, located off I-95 at Exit 323 in St. Augustine.
For more information visit www.nfca.net or call 904.940.4123.

Father’s Day at World Golf Village
June 17, 2012
If Dad is a golf fan, how about a trip to the World Golf Village in St. Augustine to celebrate his special day?
The World Golf Hall of Fame will open its doors complimentary to everyone for Father’s Day. fun activities that include a self-guided tour through the museum highlighting past U.S. Open winners and their stories; visits from the Jacksonville Roar Cheerleaders, rock-climbing, putting and long drive contests, closest-to-the-pin on the challenge hole, chances to win prizes and more. Fathers will also be offered 50% off their ticket price for a movie at the newly reopened World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater.
www.worldgolfhalloffame.org

St. Augustine Music Festival
June 21 – 30, 2012
Enjoy a series of free classical music performances at the Cathedral Basilica, 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, FL 32084, located on Cathedral Place in historic St. Augustine. Each themed performance takes place at 7:30 p.m.
June 21: Summer Music
June 22: Piano Spectacular
June 23: Grace and Beauty
June 28: Musica Nocturna
June 29: Sacred Music
June 30: Back to Bach

Greek Landing Day

Greek Landing Day Festival
June 22 – 24, 2012
Celebrate the 244th anniversary of the arrival of the first colony of Greeks in North America. Hundreds of Greeks, Menorcans and Corsicans arrived in St. Augustine on June 26, 1768 and went on to establish the New Smyrna Colony.
St. Photios Shrine serves as a memorial to those Greek colonists by witnessing the Orthodox Faith and promoting the Hellenic culture.
From 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday,
visit the “Glendi” for a celebration of music, food and dancing.
Admission is free.
The St. Photios National Greek Orthodox Shrine is located at 41 St. George Street in St. Augustine.
For more information, call 904-829-8205

Battle of Bloody Mose
June 23, 2012
This exciting re-enactment commemorates the Battle of “Bloody Moosa” which forced the British to retreat from Spanish Florida in 1740. The settlement of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, the First Free Black Settlement in North America, was home for hundreds of free blacks who escaped slavery from the English Colonies to the north. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. living history demonstrations, guided tours, food vendors, and music will be provided. Then, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. the Spanish and British forces will reenact the “Bloody Moosa” battle. The event is weather permitting.
It all takes place at Fort Mose State Park located at 15 Fort Mose Trail in St. Augustine.
Admission is $2 per person.
Fort Mose State Park, 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Call 904-823-2232 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortmose

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.