​by Albert Syeles
President, St. Augustine 
EpiCentre Alliance

​​Every March “Spanish” St. Augustine, Florida, USA, celebrates its Celtic roots with “the world’s original St. Patrick Parade”, the St. Augustine Highland Games, the internationally recognized St. Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage Festival and something new: “Celtic NOIR! Mystery and Crime Writers”. 

St. Augustine’s has an amazing Celtic history, including Colonial Governors and historic vicars of Celtic descent, stories of romance and mystery, and most extraordinarily: St. Augustine was founded by Celts. St. Augustine’s history used to be thought-of as primarily Spanish. Even the significant British Colonial period here, which spans the American Revolution, only gets occasional attention. But in1565, 800 colonists and soldiers settled here from the northern, Celtic region of Spain... Spanish Celts! And more than half the residents of St. Augustine can claim an ancestor from Scotland, Ireland, Wales or one of the other Seven Celtic Nations. 

And first St. Patrick’s parade/procession ever recorded in the whole WORLD took place here in 1601.
There is much more. Six Colonial Florida Governors were of Celtic descent. The Spanish Colony had many Irish vicars! Irish Priests Thomas Hassett and Miguel O'Reilly supervised the construction of St. Augustine’s beautiful Cathedral from 1793 to its completion, and consecrated it in 1797.

In 1795, Lt. Juan O'Donovan of the Hibernian Regiment stationed here, eloped with the Spanish Governor’s daughter. He was arrested and jailed for two years before the King of Spain himself determined that the marriage was valid. Inn 1785, Lt. Guillermo Delaney of the Castillo San Marco garrison was attacked near the home of his girlfriend, Catalina Morain. The murder of Lt. Delaney remains officially unsolved. At the corner of St. George Street and Hypolita Street, where the fenced garden of Queen Isabella stands now, “The Lost Shrine” to San Patricio stood in the 1600’s. 
And of course, St. Augustine is the home of “The finest Celtic Music Festival in the United States”.

St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival 
The St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival has been voted Best Concert/Event of the “Bold City Best” in the Jacksonville region, Best Festival in St. Augustine, and even Runner-Up Best Food Festival in the Jacksonville area. The Festival has thousands of fans from as far away as Canada and the British Isles. 

Although each of the bands have been the headliner at Irish, Scottish or Celtic Festivals throughout the world, the St. Augustine Festival is known as the finest Celtic Music Festival in the U.S. because it presents so many major Celtic headliners. 

The event is held the weekend before St. Patrick Day every year. Festivities begin on Friday with a pre-festival Whiskey Tasting, then continue Saturday and Sunday with live performances on two stages at Francis Field on Castillo Drive. The weekend also features The St. Augustine Highland Games, Celtic artisans and food, and kids’ games. Of course, The World’s Original St. Patrick Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Saturday from the Festival grounds and returns there after circuiting the City. St. Augustine’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been recognized internationally by Ireland of the Welcomes magazine, and IrishCentral.com as one of the United States’ most remarkable St. Patrick celebrations. 

The sounds of the ancient Celtic peoples of Scotland and Ireland are as alive today as ever at the St. Augustine Celtic Music Festival. Find the Celt in you as you take in the sights, sounds and tastes of centuries of European history. Celtic clans from around the world show their ancestral pride, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches through the streets of the Oldest City’s Historic District, Highland games athletes demonstrate their mind-boggling strength, and vendors offer up Celtic cuisine and handmade crafts. 

St. Augustine’s has a long and amazing Celtic history that started right at its beginning in 1565. St. Augustine was founded by Celts… Spanish Celts. We are not only the nation’s oldest city, we’re ‘The Oldest Celtic City in all the Americas!’ 
The St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival takes place on March 14 & 15, 2020 in St. Augustine, Florida. For details: www.celticstaugustine.com

By Mikayla Lindenfeld

​Imagine: an elegant party, a battle with rats, and a dance of the Sugar Plum Family. Sound familiar? Now, visualize all of that paired with a service-based organization that supports the Jacksonville area. Sounds like a dream come true, right? You’re in luck, because that dream becomes a reality with the annual performance of The Community Nutcracker Jacksonville. 

This December 13th and 14th, the dancers of the 28th performance of The Community Nutcracker will take the stage during their public performances at The Florida Theatre. Dancers, volunteers, and audience members in all walks of life will be able to enjoy the magic of the Nutcracker season. The Community Nutcracker is unique as it is the only nonprofit performance of the Nutcracker in the Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Its mission is to give back to the community, using the art of dance as a tool to fund donations to many local organizations. Before the public performances, the particular nighttime performance on December 12th is called “Community Service Night”, and all tickets to see the show are donated. These donations go to retirement homes and representatives from the organizations supported by The Community Nutcracker. Morning shows on the 12th and 13th are school shows, where local schools can purchase tickets at reduced prices to educate students on the art of ballet. 

Dancers, directors, and supporting people that help run the show are all volunteers, but while they give their time and commitment to the organization, they also gain from the experience. I spoke with a few people involved in the production to find out just how it affects them.

Morgan Beyer is the lead in this year’s production, dancing the role of Clara. She is 14 years old and remarks on the magic of performing. She said, “While I’m on stage performing in the Nutcracker, I feel so happy. We work months and months before the show, and you feel like you finally get to bring joy to others. You feel like you’re really giving back to the community.”
Morgan is also thrilled that, as Clara, she is beginning to become more involved in the service side of the organization. 

Kit Rossi is a volunteer who has recently become more involved. When explaining to me why she has chosen to dedicate so much of her time to the organization, she said, “It’s why I like The Community Nutcracker the best. It gives back to the community, so I feel like I am part of something bigger than myself, part of something bigger than my own studio, and I want my daughters to be involved in something like that.”

Debbie Rankin is one of the founding artistic directors and choreographers of the production. She has dedicated almost thirty years of her life to the service and art that The Community Nutcracker brings to the Jacksonville community.

Since 2005, the Community Nutcracker has sponsored 67 “dreams” of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses through donations to the local nonprofit Dreams Come True of Jacksonville. This could be a trip, new technology, or even a service project that a child has their heart set on. One Dreamer was a young girl named Savannah Goodman. I asked Mrs. Rankin to describe an impactful memory she has experienced with the production, and her response brought us both to the verge of tears.
“I think because we are community-based, and we are a nonprofit, one of my most outstanding memories is having Savannah Goodman as Clara. She was a Dream Child, and what we do benefited her. That’s something I’ll never forget.”

The Community Nutcracker has touched the hearts of many Jacksonville residents for almost thirty years. The beauty of the dancing, the magic of performing, and the giving nature of this particular production is one that makes the Nutcracker season the most wonderful time of the year. 

by Taylor Grant

​The wonders of the ocean are always on display at Marineland and starting this summer the park has added many new programs to demonstrate how truly incredible sea life is. With their new Swim Adventure and Dolphin Encounter programs, guests will be able to get up close with the park’s dolphins and interact with them in many different ways. With admission to either of these programs, a Behind the Seas Walking Tour is also included, which will pull back the curtain and show guests the park’s history, live feedings, and many other different types of ocean wildlife.

Located on Anastasia Island, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum gives you a fantastic view over St. Augustine. The lighthouse offers a glimpse into the history of the area and provides an interesting look into life at the light station. “Behind the scenes” tours of the light station are offered every day from 11 A.M to 3 P.M. and there are many different areas of the lighthouse grounds perfect for family pictures.

Bravoz Entertainment Center features over 40,000 square feet of food, fun and fantastic memories. Rain or shine, we have what you're looking for to enjoy your birthdays, group events, date nights or just some family fun.

Enjoy Eats Cafe while the kids run loose with over 30 delicious food and drink options including snacks, shareables and sizable platters. Don't forget to stop by the adult bar for your favorite beer or wine.
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With 10 different attractions, there’s something for everyone that’s sure to get a round of applause. Jump into the foam pit, toss a dodgeball, slam dunk likes the pros. Then head over to laser tag for a round in our Saharian Slums arena or test your combat skills with The Siege Tactical Laser Tag. Or see if you can score high at Mini-Bowling or beat the clock at Laser Maze.

The 17th century Spanish fort is a physical testament to the origins of St. Johns county and tells the history of St. Augustine. The stone fort is open to the public everyday this summer from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. and offers a wide variety of interesting attractions such as historical weapons demonstrations every weekend. The Castillo de San Marcos is a perfect place to explore St. Johns County’s past and see the remnants of the colonial era.

​With steady tides and white sand, St. Augustine Beach is a foolproof destination for a family beach day. The beach has plenty of space, so you can spread out and have room for relaxation and fun beach activities. The waves are perfect for the kids and the casual surfer to be safe, but still have an incredible time out in the ocean. The beach and pier are also ideal spots for fishing and watching the sunrise in the morning. St. Augustine Beach has many different elements that appeal to the whole family.

You'll feel nothing but warmth and southern hospitality the minute you set foot inside Pineapple Creative Boutique - the question we get most often is "What is this amazing place?”  The light and airy atmosphere, so tastefully decorated, embraces you the moment you walk in the door.
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    Part gift shop, part creative studio, it is Jacksonville’s most unique boutique - specializing in “Custom Creations for Giving and Living”.  Whether shopping for gifts or a little something for yourself, you’ll surely find something you love.


Gift Boutique
In the gift boutique you will find many popular retail lines such as Mudpie, Simply Southern, Finchberry, Spongelle and local companies including 5 Points Candles and SIC. We offer a wide variety of items ready to be personalized - including cups, tote and cosmetic bags and we can often personalize items while you wait.