Celebrate 456 Years! Celebrate the founding of the Nation’s Oldest City during September with plenty of opportunities for family fun!  Learn about Founder’s Day activities, plus upcoming events and First Friday Art Walk happenings to enjoy this weekend. Every year, area museums and attractions offer special discounts for St. Johns County residents and visitors for September.

AMERICA’S OLDEST CITY

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine, Florida by Dawna Moore. The Founding of St. Augustine Four hundred and fifty-six years ago, on August 28, 1565, Admiral Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and his crew spotted the shores of Matanzas Bay and claimed the land for the king and queen of Spain.  The city was officially founded on September 8, 1565, when Menéndez named it after Saint Augustine of Hippo, whose Feast Day is celebrated on the day the Spanish sighted the coast. Since then, St. Augustine remains the oldest, continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. Every year, locals and visitors come together to celebrate Founder’s Day on or around September 8th with a reenactment of the Spanish landing at the Mission Nombre de Dios.  The Diocese of St. Augustine and the Historic Florida Militia will collaborate to present this year’s festivities with a Landing Ceremony & Encampment on Saturday, September 4th from 10 AM to 2 PM. Starting at the Mission Nombre de Dios, the Spanish landing will be recreated by bringing Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in on a 16th-century longboat replica followed by the naming and founding of the city. Historians on horseback, mission pilgrims, and ceremony participants will lead a procession to the encampment at the Fountain of Youth. A recreation of the First Thanksgiving will take place, then living history interpreters will be available for questions and photo opportunities. As an added treat, the City of St. Augustine will provide cake for all to enjoy.

LOCAL EVENTS

The EMMA Concert Association opens its 43rd season at Lewis Auditorium with Voctave, an a Capella group known for its Disney medleys, show tunes, and Christmas songs. Tickets are $50 for adults and $10 for students and children.

	“Once” at the Limelight Theatre Winner of eight Tony Awards and based on the Oscar-winning film, Once is the achingly beautiful tale of unexpected love between Guy, an Irish musician, and Girl, a Czech immigrant. The Limelight Theatre presents Once from September 2nd through October 3rd.
	Concerts in the Plaza Every year, the City of St. Augustine hosts free concerts in the Plaza de la Constitución. The Driftwoods wrap up the 30th season at the Gazebo on Thursday, September 2nd from 7-9 PM. Bring a chair and a picnic basket for a fun night in the heart of Downtown.

	Labor Day Weekend Kickoff Ring in Labor Day Weekend with live music at the Colonial Oak Music Park. Enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment from local and regional acts on Friday, September 3rd at 7 PM. This event is free and open to the public.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK

On the first Friday of every month, guests are invited to join the Art Galleries of St. Augustine for First Friday Art Walk.  Participating galleries of St. Augustine open their doors to offer new art exhibits and receptions to the public, making it the perfect time to support local artists. Public parking is free after 5 PM and visitors can take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service provided by Old Town Trolleys from 6-9 PM. Click the link below for more information on parking, shuttle services, and participating galleries.

“Mirages” at Crisp-Ellert Art Museum The Crisp-Ellert Art Museum and Flagler College present Mirages, an exhibition of new work by Elizabeth Atterbury, Strauss Bourque-LaFrance, and Katy Cowan. The exhibition will open with a walkthrough by the artists on Friday, September 3 at 5 PM, followed by a reception until 8 PM.  Mirages continues through November 6. This event is free and open to the public. Masks are required per Flagler College’s campus-wide COVID policy.

Ximenez-Fatio House Flagler College graduate and artist Jenny Barnes will display her work Friday, September 3rd at Ximenez-Fatio House Museum from 5-8 PM. She will present a painting demonstration for the event and her works will be available for purchase.

	Butterfield Garage Artist Debra Mixon Holliday is Butterfield Garage’s Artist of the Month for September. For First Friday Art Walk, she will present an artist talk about her non-toxic callographs at Butterfield Garage at 6 PM.
	The Lightner Museum The final 2021 Lightner Local exhibit, Suburban Echoes by Ericka Sobrack, opens with a reception Friday, September 3rd from 5-7 PM. Suburban Echoes continues through October 2nd and is free with the purchase of admission to the Lightner Museum.

	The Art Studio at St. Augustine Beach Award-winning artist Marilyn Terry is September’s featured artist at The Art Studio. Meet the artist and enjoy refreshments at the opening reception on Friday, September 3rd from 5-8 PM. Marilyn’s show runs throughout the month of September.

This arts and culture newsletter is funded in part by the organizations listed below and through the generous support of our stakeholders.