| Florida’s Historic Coast Welcomes Spring with Fresh Flavors & Cultural Celebrations From local crops to cultural roots, festivals and events recognize the region’s rich heritage and history. With over 460 years of history, Florida’s Historic Coast proudly recognizes the people who contributed to its rich cultural fabric with an array of spring festivals. The Menorcan Heritage Celebration, held on four dates in March, honors the proud Minorcans who traveled to the New World and settled in St. Augustine in 1777. On March 7, David Nolan, bestselling author of “The Houses of St. Augustine,” presents The Minorcan Experience, an exploration of the architectural legacy of St. Augustine’s Minorcan community. The Celebration, hosted by the Menorcan Cultural Society on March 14, features traditional Menorcan fare, including clam chowder, pilau, and datil products. A special tour of the Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum takes place on March 21, while guests can enjoy a special tour of the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse on March 28. Named one of the United States’ top cultural festivals two years running, the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival is celebrating 15 years of honoring Celtic culture. Held at Francis Field in Historic Downtown St. Augustine on March 14-15, the festival kicks off with the world’s oldest St. Patrick Parade, featuring special guests the New York City Fire Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and the Parkview Lassies. Attendees can enjoy popular international Celtic bands, cultural seminars, traditional Scottish Highland Games, a Whiskey Tasting, vendors, food, a kids zone, and more. The St. Ambrose Spring Fair is an Elkton tradition now in its 143rd year. Held on Sunday, March 15, at the Historic St. Ambrose Catholic Church, the fair features kids’ games, live music, vendors, a community garage sale, a bake sale, and a country store. The Slow Food First Coast Tour de Farm on April 12 celebrates the farmers and producers of Florida’s Historic Coast. Guests can purchase a Tour Car Pass and explore Wilson Family Farms, The Feed Mill, Parker Produce, and Parker Flower Farms, all located in Elkton off C.R. 214. Activities include meeting the farmers, produce tastings, and exclusive shopping opportunities. Potatoes, peppers, snapbeans, flowers, and more should be in season during the experience. Hastings, the agricultural epicenter of Florida’s Historic Coast, celebrates its farming history at the Third Annual Cabbage, Potato, and Bacon Festival on April 25-26. The festival’s Brunch Tasting, Great Hastings Mow Down, Miss Potato Queen Beauty Pageant, Cottage Artisan Market, and live music stage join the Hastings Potato Ball, a historic event brought back for 2026. The Potato Ball features an elegant, seated dinner crafted by Chefs Matt Brown of Asado Life and Barry Honan of Lotus Noodle Bar, who will present a menu that celebrates local flavors and the region’s deep-rooted connection to the land. Chef Jason Stanhope, a Kansas native who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, is renowned for his elevated interpretations of classic cuisine and his commitment to local purveyors. Jason joined Charleston’s FIG in 2008, became Executive Chef in 2012, and earned the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast in 2015. In 2025, he became Co-Owner and Executive Chef of Sullivan’s Fish Camp. Tickets are available now for The Saltworks Supper, as well as all St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival events, at staugustinefoodandwinefestival.com/events/. For information on lodging, travel, and more Must-Do Experiences, visit www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. The St. Augustine History Festival explores every chapter of St. Augustine’s history over four days, May 6-10, through hands-on experiences, immersive tours, living history presentations, and captivating presentations. The festival comprises nearly 30 events, including Drake’s Raid Reenactment, historic discussions with scholars, and active archaeological sites, and is hosted at locations throughout St. Augustine, including Fort Matanzas National Monument, Fort Mose Historic State Park, and Villa Zorayda. |
Are You Feeling “Springy”? How About a Festival?
Missed one of our favorites:
Saturday, April 25, 2026 — 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
📍 Bostwick Community Center, 125 Tillman St, Palatka, FL 32177
🎟️ FREE admission
Highlights include:
blueberry pancake breakfast served 8 AM to noon, blueberry ice cream, homemade blueberry pies, arts and crafts vendors, bounce houses, activities for kids, Mr. and Miss Blueberry, live entertainment all day, Humane Society pet adoptions, and fresh-picked Miller blueberries for sale. Fun 4 Clay Kids
New this year, festival-goers can buy blueberry mystery eggs with prizes inside — shaped like a blueberry and containing either a blueberry duck, a free ice cream coupon, or a chance for a free pie. Palatkadailynews