2012 New Year's Eve parties and events

Beach Blast Off 2012: Enjoy a blast of flavor, icy sculptures and fireworks when several of St. Augustine’s favorite restaurants serve up chili for tasting and judging at the Fire and Ice Chili Cook-off from 4 to 10 p.m. The fireworks, synchronized to music, begin at 8:30 p.m. at the St. Johns County Fishing Pier and Pavilion, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. Call 829-5681 or go to www.beachblastoff.com.

New Year’s Eve Noon Balloon Drop: The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach will hold the annual New Year’s Eve Noon Balloon Drop from 11 a.m. to noon at the Center, 50 Executive Way, from A1A North, in Ponte Vedra Beach. Stop by for a bite of Brucci’s Pizza Pie or decorate a cookie a mile high. Snap, crackle and pop in the bubble-wrap room as you jump to the jingles of house band tunes. Create a hilarious hat with eyes that wiggle or make party masks that will make everyone giggle. Hundreds of balloons will be dropped at noon. Admission is free for members, $5 for non-members, or $15 for a family of four. The public is invited. Call 904-280-0614, ext. 204 or go to www.ccpvb.org.

New Year’s Eve bash: A New Year’s Eve celebration featuring live music by the Mojo Roux band will begin at 8:30 p.m. at The Groove Cafe, 134 SeaGrove Town Center, St. Augustine Beach. Cost is a $10 cover charge. Call 547-2740 or go towww.thegroovecafe.com.  

Kayak adventure: End 2011 with a two-hour kayak tour into the salt marshes of St. Augustine. Experienced guides, state-of-the-art equipment and local habitats make this trip one-of-a-kind. The tour is good for experienced or beginner paddlers. Cost is $35 for adults and $30 for children ages 6 to 12. Call St. Augustine Eco Tours at 377-7245 or go to www.staugustineecotours.com. 

New Year’s Eve Comedy show: Comedian Ron Feingold will be on stage for a New Year’s Eve show at 8:30 p.m. in Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club at Johnny’s, 3009 North Ponce de Leon Blvd. Cost is $65 and includes an open bar from 7 to 8 p.m., a dinner including appetizer, entree and dessert, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight, and a dance party after the comedy show. Opening act will be Brian Thomas. For reservations, call 461-8843 or go to www.thegypsycomedyclub.com.

Flagler College tours: The Hotel Ponce de Leon is a a national historical landmark famous for its Tiffany Windows, ornate murals and Spanish-Renaissance architecture. Tours depart at 10 and 11 a.m., and noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. daily through Jan. 2. The last tour departs at 1 p.m. on Dec. 31, Jan. 1, and Jan. 8-10. Tours will resume at only 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Jan. 11 and daily thereafter. Tours depart from the main lobby (Rotunda), at 74 King St. Tickets may be purchased at this location 15 minutes prior to each tour, or at Flagler’s Legacy, 59 Saint George St. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for St. Augustine residents with a valid ID, and $1 for children under the age of 12, which includes a complimentary Flagler College coloring and activity book. Individual reservations are not required. For group rates, call Samantha Palmer or Whitney Warren at 823-3378. Call Flagler’s Legacy Tours at 819-6400.

Theatre and barbecue: Start the New Year right with lots of laughs and barbecue when Limelight Theatre presents a special presentation of Duck Hunter Shoots Angel - the hilarious story of two Southern hunters who believe they have shot down an angel! In keeping with the show’s theme, the buffet dinner will feature barbecue with Krispy Kreme donuts for dessert. Tickets for the show and buffet are $50 and may be purchased by calling the box office at 904.825.1164 or online at www.Limelight-Theatre.org. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.   

Diamonds, Denim and Decades: Welcome 2012 at an exciting New Year’s Party at the AAA Four Diamond-rated Renaissance World Golf Village Resort. From 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., the resort’s St. Augustine Ballroom will be the liveliest place to be when the Murray Goff Connection Band performs high-energy music and popular songs from nearly every genre The Diamonds, Denim and Decades package is $319 per couple and includes one night accommodations at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort, admission to the party; a welcome libation; fantastic culinary fare at 12 different food stations, created by the resort’s Executive Chef Brett Smith; a champagne toast at midnight; and a late night snack buffet. Two-night packages start at $448. Tickets for just the Party are $75 per person, plus t & g. The Renaissance is located at I-95 Exit 323. For more information and reservations, call 904-940-8696, or visit www.WorldGolfRenaissance.com.    

Casino for a Cause: Ring in the New Year at Ponte Vedra Beach’s newest event facility, the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. A fun-filled evening will be had by all, starting with a cocktail reception from 8 to 9 p.m. Then, throughout the night there will be live entertainment by Orlando’s Top Jazz & Swing Band, heavy hors d’oeuvres, unlimited beer, wine and martinis, and a Champaign toast at midnight. Tickets are $125 and VIP tickets (which include unlimited full bar) are $175. The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall is located at 1050 S A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach. Proceeds from this exciting New Year event will benefit BEAM, Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry. For more information, visit http://www.CasinosForACause.com.   

Seaside Celebration: Greet 2012 from the seaside Holiday Isle Oceanfront Resort in St. Augustine Beach. The Beach Garden Restaurant has a special New Year’s Eve menu from 5-8 p.m. and then the party begins! From 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. there’s entertainment by Kenyon Dye, light hors d’oeuvres from 9-11 p.m. and a Champagne toast at midnight - all for only $29.95 per couple. For reservations, call 904.471.2555. www.holidayisleoceanfront.com 

Fine Dining: Bid farewell to 2011 with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve dinner at one of the fine restaurants on Florida’s Historic Coast. Explore the exquisite tastes of Italy or take advantage of the Surf & Turf (Lobster and Filet Mignon) dinner at Amici’s, 1915 A1A South in St. Augustine. The Surf & Turf special is only $29.. Call 904.461.0102 or go to www.amicistaugustine.com for more information. At the beach, Café Atlantico (647 A1A Beach Boulevard, St. Augustine)offers a special five-course New Year’s Eve dinner with an entrée choice of Catch of the Day over Mediterranean ratatouille and cream of plum tomatoes or Beef Wellington with a mushroom,-cognac reduction - all for $75 per person. For reservations, call 904.471.7332 or go to www.cafeatlantico.net . Get a taste of France when Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard shares the award-winning menu he presented in November at the James Beard House in New York City. This special New Year’s Eve treat begins with a mise en mouche and climaxes with a pear poached in Beaujolais Nouveau -- all for only $69 per person, plus tip and taxes. Bistro de Leon is located on St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitucion at 12 Cathedral Place/ Phone: 904.810.2100 or www.bistrodeleon.com For more continental cuisine, enjoy fine dining with a Russian flair a Sara’s Crepe Café. From 10 p.m. until 3 a.m., enjoy a three-course pre-fix menu featuring appetizers like blini with caviar, fried potato with mushrooms, and shrimp cocktail followed by entrees including prime rib, Cornish hens in garlic sauce and pasta with fresh basil oil sauce. For the perfect conclusion, there’s dessert and champagne. The dinner package is $75. Plus, there is live entertainment throughout the evening! Sara’s Crepe Café is located at 100 St. George Street, Suite F in St. Augustine. Call 904.810.5800 or go to www.sarascrepecafe.com . And for the golf fan, there’s nothing more memorable than New Year’s Eve dinner at the beautiful TPC Sawgrass. From 5-9 p.m. enjoy a delicious a la carte dinner and live music in an unmatched setting. For details and reservations, call 904.453.5105   

Wine, Food and Carriages Too: Explore the Oldest City’s culinary, wine and beer heritage on a series of New Year’s Eve walking and carriage tours. Taste the best St. Augustine has to offer on the three-hour Vittles and Vino Carriage Tour. Sample wines and food at one-of-a-kind specialty shops and eateries with transportation provided by a horse-drawn carriage. Tours are priced at $99 per person and depart at 2 p.m. Nights of Lights Wine and Carriage Tours take you on a tour of the spectacular Night of Lights aboard a horse-drawn carriage while indulging in delicious Spanish boutique wines. These one-hour tours are available for $45 per person and depart at 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Private tours can also be arranged.) Departing at 5 p.m., the Barley and Hops Beer Tours features a walking tour filled with fascinating facts about brewing as well as sampling of outstanding local brews. Tickets are $46 per person. Start the New Year’s Eve celebration at 4 p.m. with the Wine About Town tour - a 2.5 hour strolling tour featuring exclusive wine samplings gourmet cheese and fresh baked breads. Tickets are $56 each. For details, reservations and more information about these tours, call 904.325.3911 or visit www.thetastingtours.com  

Seagoing Celebration: Head out from Mayport aboard the Jacks or Better Casino Cruise and welcome the New Year at sea. Sumptuous buffet, wine & cheese, shrimp and sushi, champagne toast at midnight and much more! Book in advance at $60 single/$100 couple or at the door $75 single/$100 couple. For more information, go to http://jacksorbettercasino.com or call 877.605.6673 

St. Augustine - The exclusive listing

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - National Geographic magazine's selection of the ten best locations in the world to see holiday lights includes St. Augustine, Florida - the nation's oldest city. Presented on their website as a beautiful slideshow depicting each selected location, National Geographic's image of St. Augustine features the Lightner Museum adorned in tiny white lights. The caption reads: 
    
"Once under Spanish rule, this 16th-century city fetes its heritage. Single white candles once flickered from colonists' windows; during Nights of Lights, the 144-square-block historic district twinkles with two million bulbs (each white, per city ordinance). November 19-January 31."   

The internationally-renowned magazine's other selections for Holiday Lights Top 10 honors were: Madrid, Spain; Kobe. Japan; Gothenburg, Sweden; Medellin, Colombia; Brussels, Belgium; Copenhagen, Denmark; Vienna, Austria; Hong Kong, China; and Callaway Gardens, Georgia - the only other U.S. location on the exclusive listing. To see the article, go to http://on.natgeo.com/ubfcF0

The St. Augustine Ghost Tour with A Ghostly Encounter

A Ghostly Encounter, a wonderful St. Augustine ghost tour, is fun, not too scary and very entertaining. You're sure to have a great time. Your tour will begin at the Spanish Military Hospital Museum, a certified haunted building. Hmmmm.... yep, it's true! The building has been featured on TNT's Liars and Legends, The Travel Channel, The Today Show, First Coast News and SBC, CBS, and NBC local affiliates. And recently, the ghost hunter team from the Sci-Fi Channel came to investigate. Inside you'll visit the ward of the Haunted hospital then your knowledgeable guide will light the way as you safely travel through the haunted streets of St. Augustine. You'll hear stories of those who came before us and refuse to leave.

A bit of St. Augustine history: It seems in 1821 the City had to replace several water lines located directly under the original Spanish Military Hospital building. Once the walls were torn down and the digging began, a possible explanation was found for the many documented statements by patients and employees reporting something “evil” and “frightening” that seemed to roam the ward. I don't want to spoil your tour so I won't tell you any more.

St. Augustine ghost tours, A Ghostly Encounter, begin nightly from the Spanish Military Hospital - 3 Aviles Street and last approximately 90 minutes.

Sunday - Friday - Tours begin 8:00 p.m.

Saturday - 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Hauntings by Night
A Ghostly Encounter

3 Aviles Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 827-0807
(800) 597-7177
Ancient City Tours
ancientcitytours@bellsouth.net

 

History by Day
Spanish Military Hospital Museum

NOTE: Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the tour company.

 

18th Annual Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour

December 10 & 11, 2011, St. Augustine, Florida

There are 12 Inns to tour on Saturday and 13 Inns to tour on Sunday. The Inns will be open from 1:00-5:00pm each day

The Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour has become a tradition in St. Augustine, showcasing the city’s array of beautiful Inns decked out in their holiday finery. This much anticipated two day event will be held on Saturday, December 10th and Sunday, December 11th from 2pm-5pm, and features half of the 25 inn locations each day.

Your two-day ticket includes tours on both days and a delicious signature treat from a leading local culinary establishment that partners with each inn. Advance purchase tickets are offered at a discounted price of $25 for the two day event and can be purchased online at www.staugustinebandbtour.com.

 

Old Town Trolley, a returning sponsor, will provide transportation for those who would prefer to ride to the multiple drop off points, and Winn Dixie Stores will once again be on hand to offer a complimentary grocery tote bag to each tour guest when they claim their tickets at the Visitors Information Center on San Marco Avenue at West Castillo Drive. SAHI, The Record, and Herbie Wiles Insurance, round out the generous sponsors that have made this year’s event possible and a “must do” for the 2011 holiday season!

 

Each year the St. Augustine Historic Inns (SAHI) select a charity to receive a gift representing a portion of the funds raised. This year they have once again selected the “Empty Stocking Fund”. This important St. Augustine Record initiative ensures the joy of the season with food and gift cards to local economically disadvantaged children and their families.

 

 

Upcoming events in St. Augustine

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Discover First America! program series returns to Flagler College Auditorium, located at 14 Granada St., beginning Dec. 7, 2011. The free, five-part entertainment series explores facets of St. Augustine’s rich history and culture, including food, dance, colorful costumes, shipwrecks, pirates, discovery, archaeological sites, Revolutionary War, and the military presence in St. Augustine for more than four-and-a–half centuries. The program is presented in celebration of the four-year St. Augustine 450th Commemoration. Each series will begin at 7 p.m. with the doors opening at 6 p.m. for seating, lobby displays, demonstrations and book signings.

“We are thrilled to bring this series of events back to the community,” said Dana Ste. Claire, development director for the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration.  “The first series was standing-room only, and we are excited to continue presenting information on St. Augustine’s history and culture.”

The five programs will include:

Pirates & Privateers of St. Augustine

On Dec. 7, 2011, Pat Croce, owner of the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum and celebrity adventurer, and Sam Turner, maritime archaeologist, will present this program.  Croce will speak about the journeys of the pirates of St. Augustine from Francis Drake to Robert Searle.  Turner will tell about 1500s life in St. Augustine and the nation’s oldest port based on recent historical and archaeological research.  This event is sponsored by the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum and the First Light Maritime Society.

First Colony

On Jan. 10, 2012, Kathleen Deagan, internationally acclaimed archaeologist, will report on her latest finds at the Fountain of Youth National Archaeological Park, which is located on the area settled by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565.  Carl Halbirt, city archaeologist, will tell of his new discoveries, including a possible early wooden fort.  Menendez re-enactor Chad Light and his cast will recreate the historic landing in 1565, which will include a full entourage of Spanish soldiers, Timucuan Indians and Catholic priests.  This event is sponsored by the Fountain of Youth National Archaeological Park.

The Madness of King George

On Jan. 25, 2012, Roger Smith will recount the last days of the British reign in America, which took place in St. Augustine at the Pena-Peck House.  Smith will also talk about the rich colonial maritime history of St. Augustine.  John Stavely, author, tour guide and re-enactor, will appear as Jesse Fish, the persuasive British broker.  A colonial fashion show will conclude the program.  This event is sponsored by the First Light Maritime Society (St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum and the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program) with support from the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation.

St. Augustine Tapestry

On Feb. 7, 2012, the lifeways, foods, songs and dance of the multiple cultures of St. Augustine will be presented, including the Menorcan, Greek and African cultures.  These cultures are important threads of St. Augustine’s tapestry.  Also, the secret colonial recipes for rum and Menorcan clam chowder will be revealed.  This event is sponsored by the Casa Monica Hotel.

To Arms!  Four & a Half Centuries of Military History in St. Augustine

On Feb. 16, 2012, the military presence from the beginning of St. Augustine will be depicted.  For centuries, St. Augustine has been shaped by wars, battles and military campaigns.  From the soldiers of Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and the Fort Mose Militia to the Revolutionary, Seminole and Civil Wars, and finally the modern-day National Guard, 450 years of military history will be covered in 100 minutes through soldier re-enactors and vignettes.  This event is sponsored by the St. Augustine 450th Military Commemoration Committee of the St. Johns County Veterans Council.

St. Augustine 450th Commemoration passports will be given to all participants.  Also, souvenir stampings in the passport will be provided.  The Discover First America! series is sponsored by the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration, Flagler College, St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, St. Augustine Record, Florida Power & Light Company, National Park Service/National Underground Railroad Network, Augustine.com, SGS Art & Design and Destination Planning.

About the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration

The St. Augustine 450th Commemoration is planned as a four-year celebration, beginning 2012 with the Bicentennial Anniversary of the Spanish Constitution; continuing 2013 with the 500th Anniversary of the landing of Juan Ponce de Leon, the discoverer of Florida and, by all official accounts, mainland America; continuing 2014 with the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act; and ending in 2015 with the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565 as the oldest, continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States. Events during the commemoration will serve to build an understanding of and appreciation for the legacies of St. Augustine. These events will focus on signature themes that reflect the major chapters in St. Augustine’s and America’s history. For more information, call 904.825.1053 or visit www.staugustine-450.com.

British Night Watch Parade

In The City of Saint Augustine to be held on Saturday Evening, The 3rd of December 2011, 8 PM.

Starting at Government House, at West End of the Plaza, looping through Downtown St. Augustine to the City Gates, and returning to the Plaza.

Loyal Citizens are asked to Partake of this Merriment, bearing Candles or Lanterns to light their way, making merry with Good Company.  The Parade shall conclude at Government House with Muskets firing Volleys of Joy, and Christmas Caroling in the Plaza.

In early December of each year, historic St. Augustine celebrates its brief 18th Century British occupation during the annual British Nightwatch and Grande Illumination. 

The event draws thousands to the streets of Florida’s ancient city that is already aglow with millions of tiny white lights for its Nights of Lights celebration.

Parade Route Information

The Grande Illumination – British Night Watch Parade will begin at the Plaza, in front of Government House, at 8:00 PM. The Parade will leave St. George Street in front of Government House, heading south across King St. to march down St. George to turn left on Cadiz St. to march down to tune left on Aviles St. Then down Aviles St. back to King, around the Plaza to Cathedral, then right onto St. George Street. Marching down to left on Hypolita St., right onto Spanish St. down to Orange, where we turn right & march to the City Gates, were we march through and back down St. George Street back to Government House.

The BEST place to be for the parade if you are a spectator is in the Plaza, and plan to be in place around 7:30 PM to get a good spot. Once the parade gets started you may follow behind if you wish. The Tradition is to carry a candle or lantern as part of the parade. Candles will be available for a small donation.

For more information see http://www.nationsoldestcity.com/2011/11/british-night-watch