Romanza, Street Fair, Taste of the Beach, Sea Turtle Festival, and an Anniversary!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 

May 18-20

Romanza

Celebrate St. Augustine, the oldest continuously-occupied city in the continental United States, with a full weekend of colorful entertainment. Weekend highlights include Saturday’s Fire of Flamenco, featuring Tampa Bay Flamenco, in the courtyard of the Columbia Restaurant on Hypolita Street (free admission). Also free on Saturday is Romanza’s Spain Bicentennial Parade and Celebration featuring hundreds of costumed participants, live Latin music, Spanish dancers and dignitaries. The parade and celebration take place on St. George Street and in the Plaza de la Constitucion. Romanza ends on Sunday with Latin Beauty and Music at the Fountain of Youth Park. This event features Latin bands, Hispanic folk dancers, and the Latin Beauty Queens. Admission is $8. For more details and a complete listing of events, go to www.Romanzastaugustine.org

Saturday: May 19

Tolomato Cemetery Tours

Come explore the historic markers at the oldest extant cemetery in Florida. The self-guided and docent led tours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. TheTolomato Cemetery, an historic cemetery is located on Cordova Street, the site of an earlier Franciscan Indian mission (Our Lady of Guadalupe of the Tolomato) in St Augustine. Burials officially ceased in 1884. Visits are free of charge, but visitors are encouraged to offer a donation.  All money goes to the preservation and restoration of the cemetery. For more information, visit www.tolomatocemetery.com

 

Sunday: May 20

Taste of the Beach

Take a nibble from the signature dishes of the finest restaurants in St. Augustine Beach at this annual ‘taste-fest”. The crowd and judges get to pick the coveted “Best of the Beach” restaurant at the end of the evening. Admission is free and taste tickets sell for $1 each. Sample the signature dishes of more than 15 of the island’s favorite restaurants. The Taste of St. Augustine Beach takes place from noon to 6 p.m. at St. Augustine Beach Pier Pavilion located at 350 A1A Beach Blvd. For more information, call 904-347-8007 or visit www.thecivicassociation.org

 

Sea Turtle Festival

Grab the family and head to the downtown St. Augustine City Marina for a fun filled afternoon! Children can earn a prize for completing a series of education activities where they’ll learn about sea turtles, birds, dolphins and more!  Shoppers will love the unique selection of arts, crafts, and goods provided by local artisans where you can shop at individual vendor booths or try your luck in the silent auction. The Sea Turtle Festival takes place from noon to 5 p.m. at the St. Augustine Marina, located at 111 Avenida Menendez (at the base of the bridge of Lions). For more information, visit www.keepersofthecoast.org.

 

Alligator Farm’s 119th Anniversary

Head over to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park to celebrate their 119th anniversary. The farm opened in 1893 and over the years has become a world class zoological park. In addition to their exciting exhibits, hundreds of nesting coastal birds are now on the property – perfect for photos! Plus, just mention Alligator Farm Day to the staff at the TouCantina snack bar and receive a free bag of popcorn! For more information, call 904.824-3337 or go to www.alligatorfarm.com   

 

St. Augustine Chorus Performs Four Rebels with a Cause

Enjoy this enlightening performance which features works from composers that changed the way we think about music. Featured compositions include “In Ecclesiis” by Giovanni Gabrielli; “Chorus and Finale” (from Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg) by Richard Wagner; “Symphony of Psalms” by Igor Stravinsky and “Chichester Psalms” by Leonard Bernstein. The performance will take place at 3:30 p.m. at Ancient City Baptist Church located on Sevilla Street in St. Augustine. For more information and ticket prices, visit www.StAugustineCommunityChorus.org