Springtime on Florida’s Historic Coast

Throughout the year events and occasions celebrate the city’s heritage and culture. This Spring is the perfect time to explore the music, food and outdoors.

Flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast

Dining out on Florida’s Historic Coast is always a treat. With an ocean in the front yard and miles of agricultural lands in our backyard, there is always something fresh to savour. Springtime features some very popular events to help celebrate food. The Taste of St. Augustine and the St. Augustine Food +Wine Festival are two of the most popular.

Celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year The Taste of St. Augustine serves up exciting tastes. St. Augustine’s favourite restaurants and food trucks compete for the prestigious TOSTA (Taste of St. Augustine) awards, with categories including Best Family Dining, Best Ethnic, Best Upscale, and Best Dessert, as well as the ever popular People’s Choice. The festival takes place on April 24 at the St. Augustine Amphitheater.

The St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival will take place at the World Golf Village and other locations around St. Augustine May 5-8. This culinary celebration showcases food culture with celebrity guest chefs, winemakers/ proprietors, local chefs, artisans and local craft beers. The festival offers a wide variety of events from wine dinners and tasting events, to master classes and more.

Music events on Florida’s Historic Coast are always a big draw. The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, which celebrates the life and music of the legendary story teller takes place May 6-8. Lullaby of the Rivers Concert at Vilano Beach takes place on April 23; and special monthly performances (April 24 & May 22) at the former home of Stetson Kennedy at Beluthahatchee Park.

This spring’s main event presents exciting Latin culture with live music, food, dance and fun at Unidos en la Musica: A Latin American Festival on May 7, at Francis Field.

The Romanza Festivale, a celebration of the arts and local talent on Floridaߣs Historic Coast takes place April 29-May 15. Romanza will showcase some of the best local talent by offering a stage to several dozen music, arts and cultural organizations for two weeks across St. Augustine.

With venues like the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Ponte Vedra Concert and the Colonial Oak Music Park, there is never a shortage of performance sites that attract popular musical performers.

Unique history and natural beauty

The Menorcan Heritage Festival , which commemorates the arrival of Menorcans to Florida in 1768, will take place at the Historic Llambias House in St. Augustine. This fascinating culture will be celebrated with an afternoon of Menorcan traditional dishes like pilau, datil pepper sauces and Menorcan clam chowder. There will also be storytelling, net making, and other demonstrations.

This year the inaugural St. Augustine History Festival will take place May 11 – 15, and will showcase the history of St. Augustine from the cityߣs beginning 457 years ago to present day through presentations, special exhibits, tours and re-enactments.

On the natural side, the 19^th Annual Floridaߣs Birding and Photo Fest will take place April 20 – 24. For birders, it’s a chance to get together and marvel at the diversity of species in Northeast Florida. Casual photographers and nature lovers can participate in more than 110 events, including bird walks and kayak and boat tours on local waterways. To sign up for workshops and events visit www.floridasbirdingandphotofest.com.

From May 11-14, the 50^th Annual Blue Marlin Tournament takes place at St. Augustine’s Camachee Cove. The tournament is part of the Atlantic Division of the Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) where competitors earn points based on their placement in qualifying events.

Getting there

Florida’s Historic Coast remains an easy access drive destination. There is also air service available via Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), approximately 50 minutes north of St. Augustine and 30 minutes from Ponte Vedra, and Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) approximately 50 minutes to the south. Both airports are served by all major US airlines. New non-stop service with Breeze Airways between Jacksonville and seven cities across the US begins in May.