Andrew Witt
(904) 808-7330
Cultural tourists will find world-renowned artists, performing arts, authentic historical reenactments and much more during St. Augustine anniversary celebration
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Celebrate 450!
commemorates the anniversary of the founding of the city of St. Augustine, Florida’s colonial capitol and the oldest, continuously occupied
European city, port and parish in the continental United States. Celebration is set for Sept. 4 to
8, 2015, at various locations throughout downtown St. Augustine – there is “ Culture Around
Every Corner .” Visitors interested in arts, culture and heritage will delight in the following highlights of the celebration:
Tapestry: The Cultural Threads of First America
Through Oct. 4
Begin exploration of “Culture Around Every Corner” at Tapestry: The Cultural Threads of First
America , a signature St. Augustine 450 th Commemoration exhibition that shares the story of how three intertwining cultures – Hispanics, Africans and Native Americans – came together to form the foundation of American culture. Captivating exhibit on display at the St. Augustine
Visitor Information Center, 10 W. Castillo Dr., St. Augustine, 32084, (904) 825-1053.
First Friday Art Walk
Sept. 4, 5-9 p.m.
On the first Friday of every month, St. Augustine’s art galleries welcome visitors to browse the latest art exhibits and enjoy refreshments and live entertainment at some 30 participating galleries. During this special Art Walk, the Obelisk Art 450 , Tour of Compassion, a Temporary
Public Art Exhibition Interpreting Freedom, Democracy, Human Rights and Compassion in the
Nation’s Oldest City, debuts and runs through Sept. 21, 2015, at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum of
Flagler College, 48 Sevilla St, St. Augustine, 32084, (904) 826-8530.
In addition, the obelisks created by the artists will be on view throughout historic downtown St.
Augustine Oct. 1, 2015, through Feb. 1, 2016.
Music & Street Festival
Sept. 4-6
Officially kick-off Celebrate 450! with an incredible line-up of musicians performing throughout the destination. Headliners include Aaron Neville, Mavis Staples, Emmylou Harris & Rodney
Crowell, JJ Grey and Mofro and Justin Townes Earle. More than 40 performers are scheduled across five stages in the downtown area. In addition, the festival will have international

performers with the inclusion of three bands from Avilés, Spain, St. Augustine’s sister city - The
Morrigans, Alexandra in Grey and Tejedor.
EMMA Concert Association presents Fiesta 450!
Sept. 6
This performance at The St. Augustine Amphitheatre provides an evening of entertainment that showcases St. Augustine’s Spanish heritage. St. Augustine Orchestra, St. Augustine
Community Chorus, First Coast Opera and Limelight Theatre open the performance. On the grounds, The St. Augustine Textile Guild, heritage (re-enactors) organizations and representatives from the Castillo and St. George Street Players will entertain visitors. The St.
Augustine Art Association will provide hands-on activities and demonstrations geared toward family entertainment. In the evening, the concert begins. The ensemble will perform all styles of
Spanish dance – Flamenco, Classical Spanish Dance “Estilizatión, Folklore, 18th Century
Dances, Ballet (Classical Dance) and Castanets.
Countdown Clock Ceremony, Menéndez Landing Re-Enactment, Procession &
Commemorative Mass
Sept. 8, 2015
450 years to the day of St. Augustine’s founding is an authentic, historical re-enactment of
Pedro Menéndez’s landing at the Mission Nombre de Dios - the original date and on the original site of the “Noble and Loyal City’s” founding in September 1565. A procession takes spectators to The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine for a Commemorative Mass. The mass that followed the historic landing is thought to be the first held in what is today the United States. The relic of
Saint Augustin of Hippo will make a historic visit to the Basilica during this celebration as well.
This is the first time the earthly remains of the Saint to which the city and the diocese are named for will visit the United States. The catholic celebration concludes the Jubilee Year in the
Diocese of St. Augustine as declared by Bishop Felipe J. Estevez, Bishop of the Diocese of St.
Augustine.
For more information about arts, cultur e and heritage activities on Florida’s Historic Coast and a full calendar of events, log on to the new www.historiccoastculture.com
.
For story ideas and additional information for the media, visit www.historiccoastculture.com/media .
Additional media contact: Jennifer Bryant, jbryant@shepherdagency.com
, (904) 699-8878.
About St. Johns Cultural Council
The St. Johns Cultural Council is a 501© (3) not-for-profit agency. Under agreement with the St.
Johns County Board of County Commissioners, the SJCC provides arts, culture and heritage tourism destination marketing services to the county’s Tourist Development Council (TDC).
Funding for marketing services comes from a portion of the county’s bed tax. For more information, call (904) 808-7330 or visit www.stjohnsculture.com
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