Fireworks Over the Matanzas is widely considered to be the best 4th of July light show in Northeast Florida. This year’s festivities, beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, are sure to dazzle.
However, parking for the event can be a real challenge. Plenty of spectators choose to arrive early in the day to enjoy the music, food and fun—and avoid the gridlock. That’s a great option! Local favorite The All-Star Orchestra kicks things off at 6 p.m. with a two-hour show of big band and swing music at the gazebo at Plaza de la Constitucion.
Fireworks light up over Matanzas Bay beginning at 9:30 p.m. and last about 20 minutes. Set to patriotic music on a sound system installed on the bayfront, the show features 5,000 individual shells exploding between 100 and 2,000 feet high.
It’s no wonder thousands of spectators ascend to the historic St. Augustine waterfront to see it! If you are planning to attend, here is vital parking information to read BEFORE YOU GO.
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Tagged: 4th of July Fireworks, Fireworks over The Matanzas, Northeast Florida Fireworks, St. Augustine Fireworks
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The golf world is excited for this year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, which will take place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, from June 20-23. This is a big year for the tournament, which is entering its 64thyear of play. Here are three reasons this year’s championship is one you can’t miss:
1. Park, Hataoka & Ryu all return after a big playoff in 2018. At last year’s tournament, Sung Hyun Park defeated So Yeon Ryu and Nasa Hataoka on the second extra hole to win her second major title and fourth LPGA career victory. This year, all three players are returning and looking for a title win. Americans Jessica Korda and Angel Yin, who tied for 4th last year, are also returning with an eye on the title. Competition will be fierce!
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Tagged: Hall Of Fame Museum, Hazeltine National Golf Club, KPMG Women's PGA Championship, World Golf Hall of Fame
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The St. Augustine Music Festival is getting ready to kick off in the Oldest City! The annual celebration spans two weekends and features a series of classical music concerts to celebrate the cultural artistry of the First Coast.
Concerts are free and no tickets are required, however, seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis. All performances will be at the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, making for the perfect backdrop and offering impeccable acoustics.
The St. Augustine Music Festival was founded in 2007 by violist Jorge Peña and cellist Jin Kim-Peña, both Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra members.
Here is a list of festival performances:
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Tagged: Free Entry, Historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, St. Augustine Music Festival
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It’s officially wedding season and nuptial planning is in full swing. To help make planning easier, the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort will host the annual Bride to Be & Wedding Expo on Sunday, June 9.
The event will last from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and feature more than 40 exhibitors displaying products and services including bridal attire and fashion, custom gifts, jewelry, photography, catering, gift registries, DJs & entertainment, fitness and wedding planning.
Just some of the vendors include Arbonne Beauty, Mary Kay, 2 Sweet 4 Words, LuLaRoe, Olivia Ellen’s Boutique, Pampered Chef, Saries Fabulous Scents, Club Pilates St. Augustine, Cruise Planners, Sabika Jewelry, Crystal Clear Sounds, Crystal Ballroom St. Augustine, Postscript Weddings and Events, and many more.
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Tagged: 2 Sweet 4 Words, Arbonne Beauty, Bride to Be & Wedding Expo, Jacksonville Brides, Local Exhibitors, LuLaRoe, Mary Kay, Olivia Ellen's Boutique, Pampered Chef, Renaissance Resort, Saries Fabulous Scents, St. Augustine Brides, Wedding Planning, World Golf Village
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Each Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, St. Augustine turns from the Oldest City into Music City USA! That’s thanks to Concerts in the Plaza, which is kicking off its 29thseason tonight.
Each Thursday evening, a different local and regional musical act performs in the gazebo of the Plaza de la Constitución in historic St. Augustine. The free concerts last from 7 to 9 p.m. Spectators are welcome to bring chairs, blankets and coolers (no alcohol please) to set up on the lawn and enjoy the show.
Here is this season’s lineup and the style of music for each:
May 30 – The Driftwoods (bluegrass)
June 6 – The Raisin Cake Orchestra (New Orleans jazz)
June 13 – The Grapes of Roth (classic rock)
June 20 – The Mike Hart Band (blues/rock/jazz)
June 27 – Timberwood (acoustic folk/rock)
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Tagged: Bluegrass, Blues, Classic Rock, concerts in the plaza, Folk, Free Concerts, Historic St. Augustine, Jazz, Plaza de la Constitucion, R&B, Soul, St. Augustine Music
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The First Coast is warming up for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, which kicks off this Thursday, May 23, and wraps up on Sunday, May 26.
The all-star lineup of musicians includes Gladys Knight, Brian Culbertson, Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet, Monty Alexander, Ledisi and many, many others! A complete schedule of performances can be found at https://jacksonvillejazzfest.com/schedule/.
In addition to traditional stage performances, the event will feature several special events:
Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition –Five finalists representing the world’s best jazz pianists are chosen by a blind panel of judges to compete for a cash prize and a chance to perform on the festival’s Main Stage. The competition is held on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. at the Florida Theatre. Tickets are included with the festival VIP package. For tickets, click here.
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Tagged: Brian Culbertson, Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet, Gladys Knight, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Ledisii, Monty Alexander
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This Mother’s Day weekend treat the entire family to a celebration of music, food and sunny fun at Vilano Beach’s Music Fest 2019!
On Saturday, May 11 from 3 to 7 p.m., Vilano Beach’s Oceanfront Park will be set up with a stage featuring nostalgic music by Peach Life (a tribute to The Allman Brothers Band) and Not Quite Dead (a Grateful Dead tribute band). Both are local favorites!
The oceanfront venue will also have arts and crafts vendors, an array of food trucks and plenty of beer and soda for purchase. Stay to watch a culinary student competition! Raffles will also continue throughout the afternoon.
Just some of the food trucks include Fried Chicken Kitchen, St. Augies Doggies, Kona Ice and more!
Tickets are only $5 and parking is free (but arrive early because Vilano parking can be tricky).
You can also plan to make a full Mother’s Day weekend of it—special weekend packages are available! Learn more by contacting Sallie O’Hara at sallie_ohara@vilanobeachfl.comor 904-540-0402.
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Tagged: Crafts, Mother's Day, Music Fest 2019, Not Quite Dead, Oceanfront, Peach Life, Vendors, Vilano Beach
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The 19th Annual Murray Bros. Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament is coming to World Golf Village this Thursday and Friday, April 25 and 26. Although the player spots are sold out, you can still stop by to enjoy parties, dinner, auctions and music concerts, all to help raise funds for local charities.
Over the past 19 years, the tournament has become renowned, raising more than $4 million–a true Cinderella story!
While golfers take to the course throughout the days, plenty of action will be happening at Murray Bros. Caddyshack Restaurant. Dinner and cocktails will be provided by the restaurant in addition to special events:
- On Thursday, enjoy a Pairings Party from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., which includes Dinner & Cocktails, live and silent auctions and live music throughout the evening.
- On Friday night, come for a Celebrity Concert Jam & Dancing from 7 p.m. to midnight.
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Tagged: Auctions, Bill Murray, Caddyshack, Concerts, Dinners, Golf Tournament, Murray Bros., Parties, World Golf Village
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One of the great pleasures of Easter each spring is enjoying brunch with family and friends. This Sunday, April 19, there are plenty of Easter brunch offerings around World Golf Village, Ponte Vedra Beach and historic St. Augustine.
Don’t spend your Easter in the kitchen when you can enjoy a fantastic meal and spend a relaxing holiday with loved ones! Reserve a table at one of these restaurants offering Easter brunch specials. (Hop to it! All of these either require or request reservations!)
- Villagio at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort brunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $48 for adults, $24 for kids and $38 for seniors. Reservations are required. To reserve, call (904) 940-8623. Villagio is located at 500 S Legacy Trail, St. Augustine.
Tagged: Brunch, Easter, Historic St. Augustine, King & Bear’s Champions Grille, Ponte Vedra Beach, Raintree Restaurant, Renaissance World Golf Village Resort, Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, The Reef, TPC Sawgrass, Vernon's, Villagio, World Golf Village
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This Saturday, the St. Augustine Outlet Mall transforms into a transportation wonderland! The annual Feel the Wheels event will take place in the shopping center’s parking lot this Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All are invited to experience the excitement of riding in trucks, buses, racecars, tractors, construction equipment, fire trucks, boats, military vehicles and even the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office helicopter. The only thing you won’t see is a “do not touch” sign! Kids are invited to explore the vehicles, climb into the driver’s seat, honk the horn, sound the alarm and have fun!
Sponsored by the Junior Service League of St. Augustine, the event was launched in 2012 by tag! Children’s Museum of St. Augustine to spread the joy of play-based learning to kids of all ages.
General admission is $5 and children 2 years and under are free. Visitors can also participate in a raffle contest.
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Tagged: boats, buses, construction equipment, Feel the Wheels, fire trucks, Junior Service League of St. Augustine, military vehicles, racecars, rucks, St. Augustine Outlet Mall, St. Johns County Sheriff's Office helicopter, tractors
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