Sept. 3-8: Everything you need to know about St. Augustine’s 450th festivities

Download PDF of Main Stage map for Celebrate 450!: Celebrate 450! – Street Closure & Stage Map
Download PDF of street closures and stage map: 450thMap

Editor’s note: This list is LONG! It’s compiled by St. Augustine resident Renee Unsworth, with information from the City of St. Augustine’s 450th Commemoration, the Diocese of St. Augustine, and the Fountain of Youth â€” staugustine-450.com, www.dosafl.com/450th , www.fountainofyouthflorida.com. If you want to skip my list and go straight to the source, go here staugustine-450.com/full-schedule-of-events/

City’s official 450th hashtag: #Celebrate450
Also use #staugustine

Phone app: St. Augustine Turns 450

City event list by date: staugustine-450.com/full-schedule-of-events/

450 years

St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the U.S. â€” founded on Sept. 8, 1565 by Spanish admiral Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Florida’s first governor. Crews on his ships first spotted land in Florida on Aug. 28, 1565, the feast day of Saint Augustine of Hippo. Menendez named his new settlement San Augustin (after the saint).

On Sept. 8, 2015, the residents and visitors of the City of St. Augustine will celebrate the 450th anniversary of this Ancient City! Five days of festivities (Sept. 4-8) will include a street and musical festival, a Spanish-themed celebration of arts and culture, a feast day and re-enactments at the Fountain of Youth, the annual Menendez Landing re-enactment, a birthday cake ceremony, and mass at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine, America’s first parish.

Aaron Neville, JJ Grey and Mofro, Emmy Lou Harris and several other well-known recording artists will be performing as headliners for Celebrate 450!, the street and musical festival … and we get to stand in the streets and hear the music! In addition, more than 60 local musicians, performers, and cultural groups will be showcased on stages around town! See the schedule below.

Many talented residents are coming together for Fiesta 450! at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre to showcase their artistry â€” as members of nonprofit arts organizations including the St. Augustine Orchestra, the St. Augustine Community Chorus and Youth Chorus, First Coast Opera, Limelight Theatre and more (see the full list in the schedule below).

As a local who lives near downtown, I’m thrilled to be celebrating 450 years of my city! My family and I will be hopping on the FREE trolley along San Marco Avenue and riding into downtown for the evening events during the Street and Music Festival, and we will be walking to the Fountain of Youth event! We can’t wait for our three children to share this event with us!

My husband and I weren’t alive for the 400th anniversary, but we have wonderful friends and neighbors who have told us their stories â€” and we adore the Great Cross and St. Augustine Amphitheatre (both originally built in 1965 for St. Augustine’s 400th). We are excited that our children will share their own stories with family and friends during St. Augustine’s 500th anniversary in 50 years!

Find the list of 450th events below, including information on parking, free trolleys, kids activities, street closures, and more!

But first, the Kickoff Concert on Sept. 3 …

Celebrate 450! Kick-Off Concert

Thursday, Sept. 3

7 p.m. at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., downtown St. Augustine

The anniversary festivities begin with a free kick-off concert featuring three bands from Aviles, Spain, St. Augustineâ€™s sister city, performing together to bring the culture and music of Spain to St. Augustine. This event is free and open to the public. The three bands include: Tejedor, an Asturian fold band, Los Morrigans, an Asturian Spanish pop band, and Alexandra in Grey, a Spanish Indie Rock artist. FREE

450th Commemorative Merchandise

The St. Augustine Visitor Information Center, 10 W. Castillo Drive, located across from the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, has a large line of 450th merchandise.Â From T-shirts to magnets, and baseball caps to Christmas ornaments, the VIC is the place to go for all of your Celebrate 450! commemorative gifts.Â

The usual hours of operation for the Visitor Center are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week. Extended 450th hourse are 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4; and 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5.

From staugustine-450.com

FREE trolleys

Several free trolley services will offer scheduled stops and will operate like normal public transport.

The shuttles will run on the following days and times.

Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, from 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission onto the shuttle and the shuttle parking lots is FREE. A special thanks to Old Town Trolley Tours and Ripleyâ€™s Red Train Tours for making this possible.

Shuttle Park & Ride Locations

Anastasia Boulevard

Anastasia Baptist Church (1650 A1A South)
R.B. Hunt Elementary School (125 Magnolia Drive)
Elks Lodge (1420 A1A South)
St. Augustine Amphitheatre (1340C A1A South)
The Conch House (57 Comares Avenue)

The Anastasia Island shuttle will drop off and pick up riders along both sides of Anastasia Boulevard, safety permitting, if they raise their hands to signal. Â A final stop will be the return point at Davis Park, eastern foot of the Bridge of Lions. Festival goers will need to walk across the bridge to get downtown. For those who are unable to walk across the bridge, a Pedi Cab service will be available at Davis Park.

San Marco Avenue

DOS Coffee & Wine (300 San Marco Avenue)
Dirt lot across San Marco Avenue from DOS Coffee

The San Marco shuttle will drop off and pick up riders at the Visitor Information Center located at 10 W. Castillo Drive.

U.S. 1 South

Broudyâ€™s Fine Wine and Spirits (35 N. Ponce De Leon Boulevard)

The U.S. 1 shuttle will drop off and pick up riders at the intersection of King Street and Cordova Street.

Please note that additional private lots might become available for parking along the shuttle routes during the Celebrate 450! Street and Music Festival. Many of these lots will charge a fee between $0 to $25. The shuttles will stop at these locations as needed.

Parking

Parking is available in the downtown parking garage located off W. Castillo Drive. Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, the parking facility is conveniently located with quick access to most places within the city. Parking at the facility is $10 per vehicle per entry.

Francis Field, which is located just before the parking garage on W. Castillo Drive, is also available for parking during the festival and is $10 per vehicle per entry.

If the parking garage and Francis Field are full, additional parking is available at designated lots.

Additional parking lots for a fee include:

Mission Nombre de Dios, 101 San Marco Ave.
Chamber of Commerce, 1 Riberia St.
Ameris Bank, 790 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Van Dyke Norman Insurance, 798 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Herbie Wiles Insurance, 79 Lemon St.
Flagler College parking lot, Malaga St.
Upchurch Baily Upchurch, 780 N. Ponce de Leon
United Way, 117 Bridge St.
Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Ave.

Bicycle Parking

Bicycle parking is available in designated locations throughout downtown St. Augustine for those festival goers who plan to make the trip on their bicycle.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to park and bike to attend the July 4 festivities. The following lots are designated park and bike lots. Bike racks are located throughout the city. Be sure to safely secure your bike to bike racks.

VeloFest (a local nonprofit promoting bicycle safety) will offer bicycle valet near the Bridge of Lions. Here’s the story: http://totallystaugustine.com/450th-bike-valet-by-velo-fest-and-live-music-stage-on-anastasia-blvd/

Self-park locations in downtown:

Fountain of Youth (free trolleys down San Marco Avenue into town)
The City Gates
Government House
Avenida Menendez near the Main Stage area

Other self-park areas

Council on Aging, 180 Marine St.
Willie Galimore Center, 399 Riberia St.
Red Cox Road and A1A on Anastasia Island (Behind RB Hunt Elementary School)
St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1320C A1A South on Anastasia Island
St. Johns County Library, 1960 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Blue Water Jewelers, 500 Anastasia Blvd. on Anastasia Island

Water Taxi Service

A water taxi service is available Sept. 4-8, and will run on a continuous loop. The cost is $20 per day or $40 for the entire event. The locations include:

St. Augustine Municipal Marina (111-E Avenida Menendez)
Camachee Island (3070 Harbor Drive)
Vilano Beach Dock (260 Vilano Road)

The service will run on the following days and times.

Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, from 12:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. (service will be paused during the fireworks from 11 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.)
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015, from 9:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 7, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, from 6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Street Closures

To create a pedestrian friendly event, streets located near the event sites will be closed at various times throughout the festival. The area is bounded by, and traffic will be prohibited on, Orange Street, Cordova Street, King Street east of Cordova Street and Avenida Menendez. Adjustments to this parameter are possible, based upon public safety needs as determined by the St. Augustine Police Department.

Walking

The American Automobile Association named St. Augustine as one of the 10 most walkable cities in North America, and itâ€™s no wonder. A small downtown whose streets were laid out in the 1590s, St. Augustine is a tightly compacted small community (13,000+ population) whose town center is a mixture of residential, attractions, museums, restaurants and retail shops as well as historical monuments, churches and a college. While some of St. Augustine downtown streets are pedestrian only, during Celebrate 450!, these areas will be increased to include a 12-block area that will be designated pedestrian and bicycle only. FREE

KidZone & Family Oasis – Sept. 4-6, 2015

The KidZone & Family Oasis presented by Coastal Realty Vacation Rentals offers something for everyone during the Celebrate 450! Street and Music Festival on Sept. 4 to 6, 2015, in downtown St. Augustine. The KidZone & Family Oasis is located in the heart of the festival activities on the west side of the Plaza de la ConstituciÃ³n in front of the Government House (on St. George Street between Cathedral Place and King Street). FREE

The KidZone & Family Oasis features:

Face painting
Sandbox
History touch boxes provided by the Fountain of Youth
Archaeological dig boxes provided by the Fountain of Youth
Dog station
Beach chairs and misters
Family weekend giveaway

The KidZone & Family Oasis is open the following days and hours.

Friday, Sept. 4 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

BRIDGE OF LIONS CLOSINGS

The Bridge of Lions will be closed from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, September 4-5.

FIREWORKS

Saturday, September 5

After 9:30 p.m. performance by Emmylous Harris and Rodney Crowell

Fireworks will take place near the bayfront over the Matanzas River in downtown St. Augustine. The fireworks will follow the performance of Emmylous Harris and Rodney Crowell, on the Bayfront Main Stage.

FOOD & DRINK

Festival goers are encouraged to explore downtown St. Augustine and visit the many establishments for food and drink for many restaurants will be offering specials and take-out items on its menus. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the sidewalks and streets of the city.

Drinks (soda, water, sports drinks and alcohol) will be available to purchase in the main stage viewing area. Alcohol purchased in the main stage viewing area may not be taken out of the area.

Friday, Sept. 4 â€” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5 â€” from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

FREE water will be available Sept. 4-8 by the Salvation Army in several locations around town.

COOL DOWN

POLAR POD will be at St. Augustine’s 450th for cooling down. From www.thepolarpod.com: “We provide the opportunity to cool off and keep a safe body core temperature in any environment. We know what it is like to be dehydrated and overheated. At an approximate, consistent temperature of 50 degrees and very low humidity, The Polar Pod provides the ability to cool your core in 5-10 minutes, ensuring a fun and safe event for everyone!”

MAIN STAGE ITEMS ALLOWED

The main stage will be located on the bayfront at Ponce Circle, just east of the Plaza de la ConstituciÃ³n and will feature a large audience area where alcohol purchases and consumption will be permitted.

The following items are allowed in the main stage viewing area:

Sunscreen (in non-metal and non-aerosol containers)
Small backpacks
Purses
Strollers and essential items for childcare needs
One (1) sealed bottled of water per person
Photo proof of age is required to purchase or consume alcohol

Please note that chairs of all types (lawn chairs, etc.) are not allowed in the main stage viewing area. Remember, all patrons and their belongings are subject to search and prohibited items will be removed at the discretion of the security staff. These items are subject to change at any time and at the discretion of the safety staff.

For more frequently asked questions, go to staugustine-450.com/celebrate-450-faqs-festival-goers

DON’T BRING

Please leave the following items at home.

Chairs of all types (lawn chairs, etc.) **EDITOR’S NOTE: Chairs ARE ALLOWED in the Plaza de la Constitucion and the fort grounds (Castillo de San Marcos), as well as other green spaces around the City of St. Augustine where chairs are normally allowed. Chairs are NOT ALLOWED in the areas of the STREET FESTIVAL, especially in the Main Stage area.
Weapons
Alcohol
Illegal substances of any kind
Skateboards
Coolers
Lasers
Silly string
Confetti
Glitter
Spray paint
Glass containers and metal aerosol cans, including sunscreen in aerosol cans
Audio or video recording devices
Cameras with detachable lenses
No unauthorized vendors will be permitted
No unauthorized solicitations, handbills, sampling, giveaways, etc.

Map of Main Stage area in downtown St. Augustine during the Celebrate 450! Street and Music Festival, Sept. 4-6 in downtown St. Augustine near the Bridge of Lions.

Celebrate 450! is a free, five-day celebration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine produced by the City of St. Augustine and the culminating event of St. Augustineâ€™s 450th Commemoration, a series of programs, festivals and exhibitions which, over the past four years has shared with the nation and the world the important role St. Augustine played in the making of America since its founding on September 8, 1565. FREE

Celebrate 450! Street and Music Festival Schedule

Friday, September 4

Bayfront Main Stage – FREE

6:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â People Helping People Gospel Choir
6:45pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mavis Staples
8:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Aaron Neville

Plaza Stage – FREE

3:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jim Sloan, bagpiper, performing traditional jigs, reels, and marches
3:15pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â â€œEliâ€ Grimes, singer/songwriter of â€œ1565â€ performing his original composition
3:40pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fort Mose Historical Society with a â€œFlight to Freedomâ€ presentation
4:25pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â West African Drum Circles of St Augustine sharing the beat of drum circles
4:55pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Stanley Alston
5:25pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â El Conjunto Tropical

Hypolita Street Stage – FREE

3:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ramona Quimby Band
3:50pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Rubies
4:40pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Sea Floor Explosions
5:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Red River Band
7:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Falling Bones

Colonial Quarter Stage – FREE

3:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â T. Martin Band
3:40pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Shea Birney
4:20pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Rob Peck
5:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dewey Via
5:40pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Michael Jordan
6:20pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Emma Moseley Band
7:15pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Trio of Boom

Aviles Street Festival

1:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The House Cats

Saturday, September 5

Bayfront Main Stage – FREE

5:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers
6:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Justin Townes Earle
7:45pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â JJ Grey & Mofro
9:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Emmylou Harris w/ Rodney Crowell followed by Fireworks Over The Matanzas 450!

Plaza Stage – FREE

11:00amÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â St. Johns County Public Schoolsâ€™ combined school choral performance of â€œGod Bless St. Augustineâ€
11:40amÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Florida School for the Deaf and the Blindâ€™s dance troupe
12:20pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Renaissance Bandâ€™s pre-1750 instrumental music
12:50pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Greek Orthodox Shrine featuring traditional Greek dancers and musicians
1:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brent Byrd
2:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tejedor
3:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Alexandra in Grey
4:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Morrigans
4:50pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Menorcan Cultural Society featuring traditional dancers and singers

Hypolita Street Stage – FREE

11:00amÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Harp of Hope, featuring Diane Schneider, harpist
11:30amÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Gatorbone Band
12:20pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Aslyn & the Naysayers
1:10pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Amy Hendrickson
2:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Chelsea Saddler
2:50pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Addi & Jacq
3:40pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Billy Buchanan
4:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Laurel Lee & the Escapees
5:20pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Sam Pacetti
6:10pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Springfields
7:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Paradox

Colonial Quarter Stage – FREE

11:00amÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jeffrey Spear, author, â€œThe First Coast Heritage Cookbook,â€ with a colonial cooking demonstration
11:50amÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Germaine Veronica
12:40amÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Sand Fleas / Hunter Miller
1:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kenny and the Jets
2:20pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Rivernecks
3:10pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Wild Shiners
4:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The WillowWacks
4:50pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Lonesome Bert &Â the Skinny Lizards
5:40pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Wobbly Toms
6:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Complicated Animals
7:20pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ancient City Slickers

Aviles Street Festival – FREE

11:00amÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Three Amigos of Ancient
11:40pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fuego Flamenco
12:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Luis Mario Band
1:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Flamenco Dancers of the St. Augustine Dance Company
3:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fiesta de AvilÃ©s

Sunday, September 6

Plaza Stage – FREE

12:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â A1A Blues Band
12:40pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â St. Augustine Line Dancers perform dances with a bit of waltz, mambo, tango
1:20pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Island Duet

Hypolita Street Stage – FREE

12:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gary Campbell
12:45pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Scott Sweet
1:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Colton McKenna
2:15pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jim Johnston

Colonial Quarter Stage – FREE

12:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Collapsible B
12:50pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Salt Driven Ride
1:40pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Herd of Watts
2:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â I-Vibes
3:30pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Love Chunk

Aviles Street Festival – FREE

11:00amÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Elizabeth Roth
11:40amÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Obscure Brothers
12:20pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Joe Schauer
1:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Latin Jazz
1:00pmÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Sangria Sunday

Celebrate 450! is a free, five-day celebration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine produced by the City of St. Augustine and the culminating event of St. Augustineâ€™s 450th Commemoration, a series of programs, festivals and exhibitions which, over the past four years has shared with the nation and the world the important role St. Augustine played in the making of America since its founding on September 8, 1565. FREE

For complete information about all the programming for Celebrate 450!, go toÂ www.StAugustine-450.com/Celebrate450

Monday, September 7

Cake Cutting & Proclamation

A cake cutting, local music and reading of a proclamation will take place on this day in the gazebo in the Plaza de la ConstituciÃ³n, between King Street and Cathedral Place

12 to 2 p.m. â€“ Driftwoods performs in the gazebo in the Plaza de la ConstituciÃ³n FREE
2 to 3 p.m. â€“ Official 450^th Birthday Proclamation will be read and the 450^th birthday cake will be cut by members of the Royal Family in the gazebo in the Plaza; free birthday cake will be served from the Public Market. FREE
3 to 5 p.m. â€“ Mid-Life Crisis performs in the gazebo in the Plaza FREE

Tuesday, September 8 â€” Official 450th Anniversary Date

450 years to the day of St. Augustineâ€™s founding is an authentic, historical re-enactment of Pedro MenÃ©ndezâ€™s landing at the Mission Nombre de Dios. Following the land, a procession will take spectators to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine for a Commemorative Mass.

7:45 a.m. â€“ Countdown clock ceremony at the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center FREE
9 a.m. â€“ MenÃ©ndez landing re-enactment at the Mission Nombre de Dios FREE
10 a.m. â€“ Procession to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine FREE
11 a.m. â€“ Commemorative Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine (Invitation Only)

OTHER EVENTS

Sept. 5 â€” Fountain of Youth Feast of Thanksgiving and Landing

From www.fountainofyouthflorida.com

Celebrate our cityâ€™s 450th birthday â€¦ on the spot where it happened!

Weâ€™re reenacting the historic Pedro Menendez 1565 Landing and throwing a FEAST for the public! Enjoy the Feast of Thanksgiving and Landing celebration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine.

The first 300 guests will receive a FREE Thanksgiving Feast meal prepared by Smokin Dâ€™s BBQ!

The re-enactment landing will begin at 10 a.m., with lunch served at 11 a.m. and there will be music from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. â€” with James and Sylvia Kalal playing acoustic music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and The Pemberwicks from 2 to 5 p.m. in our events pavilion. See the entire event schedule below â€¦

St. Johns County Residents Get in FREE ALL DAY with ID, and Parking is FREE. Donâ€™t miss this event!

Re-enactors will land at the Fountain of Youth in the Chalupa San Agustin (courtesy of the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation), march once around the Park, and settle in to celebrate a Thanksgiving meal in the tradition of the first documented Thanksgiving Feast in the U.S. â€“ right here on the Park grounds 450 years ago.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, September 5

Â 9:45AM: Pedro Menendez boards chalupa, which is moored at the end of the dock. Chalupa rows into Mission basin, then lands at the point.
10:00AM: Menendez walks ashore. Father Medina and others are stationed at point. Menendez kisses the cross and the holy proceedings begin.
10:30AM: Solemn procession clockwise around park begins. After the living history interpreters, the Minorcan contingent and then the Los Floridanos contingent march along behind. The public is welcome to march in the rear of the procession.
10:45AM: Arrival at Camp area. Menendez, Father Medina, a Native American and 2 or 3 Spanish officers will sit at the head table. Speeches and photo opportunities
11:00AM: Lunch is served. Smokin Dâ€™s BBQ presents 300 free meals. Smokin Dâ€™s will have BBQ meals available for purchase, and etouffee will be available from the Flags CafÃ©.
11:00AM: Music commences with James and Sylvia Kalal playing Spanish acoustic tunes while roaming about.
2:00PM: The Pemberwicks begin playing in the NW corner of the Pavilion.
6:00PM: Park Closes.

We invite you to visit us for a fascinating, informative, entertaining tour of Ponce de Leonâ€™s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, the original site of the Nationâ€™s oldest city. Located in the area first explored by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513 and settled by Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565, historic St. Augustine is the oldest successful European settlement in the United States. Colonial America started right HERE, 55 years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, and 42 years before Jamestown! With a long, rich history spanning nearly 500 years, the Fountain of Youth Park will delight and amaze you. Whether you visit for an hour or take all day, our 15 waterfront acres will provide you with hours of enjoyment.

Sept. 6: Fiesta 450! at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre

St. Augustine, FL â€“ In celebration of the City of St. Augustineâ€™s 450th Commemoration, the EMMA Concert Association presents Fiesta 450! a six-hour all-Spanish-themed extravaganza at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015.

Gates open at 3 p.m. and the event kick starts at 4 p.m. with a thrilling Spanish-themed musical salute to St. Augustine on the main stage of the Amphitheatre by St. Augustineâ€™s premier cultural arts organizations including the St. Augustine Community Chorus, St. Augustine Youth Chorus, St. Augustine Orchestra, First Coast Opera and the Limelight Theatre. FREE

From 5:30 to 7 p.m. on separate stages and mingling amidst the audiences, local historical and artistic groups including re-enactors Leo and Merri McCarthy and James Bullock (aka Francisco Menendez), will entertain and educate visitors. FREE

Other presenters, emphasizing family involvement through demonstrations and hands-on activities, include the St. Augustine Textile Arts Guild, the St. George Players, The St. Augustine Art Association, representatives from the Castillo de San Marco and actors portraying historical personages in period costumes. This portion of the event is free to the public.

At 7:30 p.m., the Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theatre will take the main stage. The incredibly sensual and breathtaking Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theatre, the premier Spanish dance company in the United States, will thrill the audience with its specially choreographed performance for Fiesta 450!

Ticket prices for the 7:30 p.m. Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theatre performance range from $19 to $39. For $100 per person, a VIP event is being offered on the deck near the St. Augustine Amphitheatre stage from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The VIP ticket price includes free parking, hors dâ€™oeuvres, wine and front section seating at the Amphitheatreâ€™s main stage for the Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theatre performance at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for EMMA presents Fiesta 450! are on sale now at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Box Offices. Save on fees by purchasing tickets at the Box Offices. Tickets are also available at www.staugamphitheatre.com, ticketmaster.com, all TicketMaster outlets, or by phone at 800-745-3000.

IF YOU GO

SHOW: EMMA presents Fiesta 450!
VENUE: St. Augustine Amphitheatre
DATE: Sunday, September 6, 2015
TIME: Doors 3:00pm / Free Performances 4:00 p.m. â€“ 7:30 p.m. / Ticketed Performance 7:30 p.m.
TICKET PRICES: VIP $100.00 â€“ Level 100, Section 102 Rows A â€“ D
$39.00 â€“ All Remaining Seats in Level 100
$29.00 â€“ Level 200
$19.00 â€“ Level 300 and Obstructed View
ONLINE: www.emmaconcerts.com; www.staugamphitheatre.com

Cathedral-Basilica Events

www.dosafl.com/450th

Aug. 12-Sept. 23 â€” 7 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday

Cathedral Basilica, 38 Cathedral Place, St. AugustineÂ

For four years officials with the Diocese of St. Augustine have worked to bring a special item to the city for the 450^th anniversary of the founding of the nationâ€™s oldest city. On July 7, that item â€” a relic from the body of Saint Augustine of Hippo, the noted theologian and philosopher for whom the city is named â€” was unveiled to the public. Itâ€™s on loan from the Vatican Treasury until the end of September.

Itâ€™s the first time the relic has been out of Italy. Each Wednesday the relic â€” Saint Augustineâ€™s finger â€” will be on display at the Cathedral Basilica.

In the Catholic faith relics of saints â€” a part of a holy personâ€™s body â€” are kept for the purpose of veneration. Veneration of relics has been a part of Christian tradition since the Early Church.

Relics are traditionally contained in a reliquary. This relic is encased in a reliquary in the form of a crucifix made of silver in 1904 with the name of Pope Pius X inscribed on it. The relic itself dates from 430 A.D. when Saint Augustine died.

Each Wednesday at 7 p.m. (see schedule below) there will be time for veneration of the relic,Â a teaching about Saint Augustine of Hippo,Â and intercessory prayer. Upcoming dates are August 12, 19 and 26, and September 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Patronal Feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo

August 28 â€” 6 to 9 p.m.

August 28 is the patronal feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo. Vespers will be celebrated at 6 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine with Bishop Felipe EstÃ©vez as presider and homilist. Afterwards, the 16^th Annual Augustinian Address will be given by Michael Francis, Ph.D., at 7 p.m. in the Bishop Baker Parish Center (257 St. George Street).

September 8 â€” 9 to 10 a.m. at Mission Nombre de Dios, 27 Ocean Avenue

Grand Procession from Mission Nombre de Dios to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

September 8 â€” 10 to 11 a.m.

Mass of Thanksgiving (Invitation Only)

September 8 â€” 11 to 1 p.m. at Cathedral Basilica, 38 Cathedral Place

The principal celebrant will be Cardinal Sean Oâ€™Malley, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Boston.

Sept. 4: First Friday Art Walk

On the First Friday in September, The Art Galleries of St. Augustine will celebrate the historic founding of the Oldest City with a special 450 Minutes of Art Walk. Participating members will offer extended hours of First Friday Art Walk â€” from 1:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. Hosting the Art Walk for 450 Minutes (7.5 hours) will allow the public to view and shop for art throughout the day and into the evening to celebrate the kick off of the city-wide 450th festivities. Go to www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.org to see a list of participating galleries. FREE

Sept. 4-18: Obelisk 450 Art Exhibit

Compassionate St. Augustine, the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, Flagler College, and The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida will present Obelisk Art 450 commemorating the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine. The Obelisk Art 450 Tour of Compassion public art project will formally open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 4 during First Friday Art Walk at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, 48 Sevilla St., in historic downtown St. Augustine on the Flagler College campus. The exhibit will remain on display through Friday, Sept. 18. The public is invited to attend and admission is FREE.

Sept. 4-5: Art Fair on Cuna Street

Silversmith Glenda will be making jewelry, Potter Colleen will be working on her potters wheel; and Painter Tim Peterson will be outside painting at The Starving Artist, 28 Cuna St., downtown St. Augustine. Hours of the event are 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4; and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. Call 904-540-3661 or go to TheStarvingArtistConsignment.com FREE

Sept. 5: Calle Cuna Artisans

Â Artists and craftsman will beÂ working on their crafts, as well as cigar rolling of the 450th commemorative cigar, and a childrenâ€™s area with face painting â€” from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 on Cuna Street, between Charlotte and Saint George Streets. Call 904-377-9215 or email estherjazzy@gmail.com FREE

Sept. 4-6: Fiesta de Aviles and Running of the Bulls

The 6th Annual Fiesta de AvilÃ©s will be held Sept. 4-6 on AvilÃ©s Street, the oldest street in the nation’s oldest city. Live music, art exhibits, dancing, sangria tasting, costumes, and a special Running of the Bulls along AvilÃ©s Street. FREE

Friday, September 4

450 Minutes of Art Walk from 1:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4 in St. Augustine galleries
3 to 6 p.m. The House Cats (local band) perform on Aviles Street

Saturday, September 5

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. live music on the Aviles Street Stage
1 to 3 p.m. The St. Augustine Dance Company’s Flamenco DancersÂ
Running of the Bulls â€” kids race at 3 p.m.; adult races at 3:30 p.m. Participants are chased by special guests in bull costumes in a sprint down AvilÃ©s Street. The Master of Ceremonies for this event is John Reardon.
Â 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Name the Baby Bullcontest this year, with a live Andalusian bull on view in the Ximenez-Fatio House courtyard, 20 Aviles St.Â Contest entries will be accepted; at 4 p.m. the winning name will be chosen

Sunday, September 6

11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sangria Sunday â€” AvilÃ©s Street merchants compete for the best sangria! Tasting and voting by the general public, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic samples.

Sept. 3-23: El Galeon

El GaleÃ³n, the authentic replica of a ship that traveled the coasts of Florida 500 years ago, will again sail into Matanzas Bay from Sept. 3-23, 2015, for St. Augustineâ€™s 450th Anniversary, offering tours and the opportunity to glimpse back into maritime history by walking the decks and wandering through the ships quarters.

Docked at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez, El GalÃ©on will be open daily for tours. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for youth age 5 to 12, and free for youth under age 5. Veterans and St. Johns County residents receive a $2 discount per ticket. Additionally, family discounts are available with $2 off per ticket of groups of five people or more.

El GaleÃ³n, a 170-foot, 495-ton authentic wooden replica of a Spanish galleon, is owned and operated by the Nao Victoria Foundation of Seville, Spain. Twenty-eight crew members must maneuver more than 9,600 square feet of sail area in the same fashion as 16th century sailors.

The first ship like El GalÃ©on to arrive in St. Augustine was the flagship of founder Don Pedro MenÃ©ndez de AvilÃ©s. Named the San Pelayo, the 650-ton ship, one of the most powerful ships of its day, carried 800 colonists and supplies to St. Augustine, establishing the first permanent European settlement in the United States in 1565.

El GaleÃ³n first arrived in St. Augustine in June 2013 and has been back on multiple trips. Since its departure, the ship has visited ports along the east coast including New York City and later was used in the making of the television series Crossbones on location in Puerto Rico.

For more information about El GaleÃ³n and Nao Victoria Foundation, visit www.ElGaleon.org.

450 years

Celebrate 450! Kick-Off Concert

Thursday, Sept. 3

450th Commemorative Merchandise

FREE trolleys

Parking

Bicycle Parking

Water Taxi Service

Street Closures

Walking

KidZone & Family Oasis – Sept. 4-6, 2015

BRIDGE OF LIONS CLOSINGS

FIREWORKS

FOOD & DRINK

COOL DOWN

MAIN STAGE ITEMS ALLOWED

DON’T BRING

Celebrate 450! Street and Music Festival Schedule

Friday, September 4

Bayfront Main Stage – FREE

Plaza Stage – FREE

Hypolita Street Stage – FREE

Colonial Quarter Stage – FREE

Aviles Street Festival

Saturday, September 5

Bayfront Main Stage – FREE

Plaza Stage – FREE

Hypolita Street Stage – FREE

Colonial Quarter Stage – FREE

Aviles Street Festival – FREE

Sunday, September 6

Plaza Stage – FREE

Hypolita Street Stage – FREE

Colonial Quarter Stage – FREE

Aviles Street Festival – FREE

Monday, September 7

Tuesday, September 8 â€” Official 450th Anniversary Date

OTHER EVENTS

Sept. 5 â€” Fountain of Youth Feast of Thanksgiving and Landing

Sept. 6: Fiesta 450! at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Cathedral-Basilica Events

Aug. 12-Sept. 23 â€” 7 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday

Patronal Feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo

August 28 â€” 6 to 9 p.m.

Historical Re-Enactment of the Landing of St. Augustine Founder, Don Pedro MenÃ©ndez

September 8 â€” 9 to 10 a.m. at Mission Nombre de Dios, 27 Ocean Avenue

Grand Procession from Mission Nombre de Dios to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

September 8 â€” 10 to 11 a.m.

Mass of Thanksgiving (Invitation Only)

September 8 â€” 11 to 1 p.m. at Cathedral Basilica, 38 Cathedral Place

Sept. 4: First Friday Art Walk

Sept. 4-18: Obelisk 450 Art Exhibit

Sept. 4-5: Art Fair on Cuna Street

Sept. 5: Calle Cuna Artisans

Sept. 4-6: Fiesta de Aviles and Running of the Bulls

Friday, September 4

Saturday, September 5

Sunday, September 6

Sept. 3-23: El Galeon

All community events:

staugustine-450.com/full-schedule-of-events

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