As the Nation’s Oldest City prepares for the once in a lifetime 450th Birthday celebration, exciting plans are developing. Not only has a Blue-Ribbon panel been appointed by the United States Department of Interior to organize the multi-year celebration but private ventures are also developing their own events.
Here is an outline of what each of the forthcoming years’ celebrations will center around:
- Year 2012 – 200thanniversary of the Spanish Constitution, memorialized in St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitution
The only remaining Monument in the world honoring the old Spanish Constitution
- Year 2013 – 500th anniversary of Ponce De Leon’s discovery of Florida, reflected in our Fountain of Youth National Archeological Park
- Year 2014 – 50th Anniversary of the St. Augustine civil rights movement and the role our City played in the movement.
- Year 2015 – 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, our nation’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement.
As you can see there will be allot of possibilities for celebrations, festivals, and other events in our wonderful city. You may want to begin considering when you will want to visit St. Augustine to participate. Once official events are planned, it is anticipated that accommodations in the historic downtown will go fast.
The “Star-Spangled Committee” appointed by the Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar suggested at their first organizational meeting that “having a king, queens, and Pope attend are a real possibility. “If that’s the case, said John Gallagher, owner of At Journey’s End Bed & Breakfast, “ we’re going to have to find ways to add more rooms to our Inn…and fast!”
Other exciting plans include the building a replica of a 16th Century Spanish Chalupa (an open boat fitted with oars and sails) honoring St. Augustine’s maritime history. Additionally, another replica sailing vessel, the Galvestown is being built in Malaga, Spain and will be available for viewing during the 450th celebration at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum.
