Lots going on in the city

SAINT AUGUSTINE – News from the City of St. Augustine:

City of St. Augustine Administrative Order 2020-14, which closed offices to the public, expired on Monday, August 31 and was not extended. All city offices are open and providing full customer services in addition to all online, telephone, and email access remaining in place.

In observance of the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 7, city offices will be closed. Solid waste collections will remain on their regular schedule.

On Saturday, September 5, at 11:00 am, a processional with Pedro Menendez and his Spanish entourage (historically clad living history interpreters) march through the front gates of the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park with flags and musket firings. The procession leads to the Fountain of Youth’s Boathouse for a ceremony to commemorate the First Thanksgiving that occurred September 8, 1565, followed by a blessing. Guests of the park will be treated to a cake to help celebrate the occasion.

This long-standing St. Augustine traditional experience has been modified to accommodate crowds with social distancing. Admission is $18 adults/$10 children. St. Johns County resident admission is $9 adults/$5 children.

The Mickler’s Beachfront Park shuttle will transport beach visitors between Cornerstone Park and Mickler’s Beachfront Park, which provides direct access to the beach.   The Pier shuttle will transport beach visitors between St. Augustine Beach City Hall and the Pier parking lot, which provides direct access to Pier amenities and the beach. The shuttles will run every 20 minutes. On Friday, September 11, the City of St. Augustine Fire Department will continue the annual tradition of holding its  Ceremony of Remembrance, a community gathering to remember those who died in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.    The ceremony will be held at the St. Augustine Fire Department’s main station, on Friday, September 11, at 8:30am.    The public is invited to participate, while following CDC Guidelines of wearing masks and social distancing. Masks will be available to anyone who needs one.   The ceremony will also be broadcast live online on the  Fire Department’s Facebook page.