With St. Augustine chock-full of events this weekend, here's a one-stop shop list for you!
With St. Augustine chock-full of events this weekend, here's a one-stop shop list for you!
St. Augustine Distillery’s tree lighting ceremony and holiday market
The St. Augustine Distillery (the Distillery) and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) will host a Solar Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Night Market on Friday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the FPL Ice Plant building. The Christmas tree will be lit at 7 p.m.
The night’s festivities include America's oldest city's three-man band AC Power Unit, along with product tastings from its vendor partners, which include Kookaburra Coffee (Bourbon Barrel Rested Coffee); Hurst Hives Honey (Bourbon Barrel Finished Honey); Southern Caramel (Bourbon Caramels); and Fire Oaks – products crafted from used barrel staves. Tyrone Bennett’s Heart & Soul Food truck will also be on site.
The Distillery’s tasting samples include a hot buttered rum mixer and a soon-to-be-released Apera Sherry Cask Bourbon. Attendees can also vie for the chance to win a $1,000 holiday giveaway gift basket filled with store merchandise, tickets to area attractions and restaurant gift cards.
Now in its third year, the annual event is sponsored by FPL SolarNow®, an initiative designed for utilizing solar energy. The Distillery's FPL SolarNow canopy (five-kilowatts) is capable of powering five classrooms.
“Visitors will enjoy lights, entertainment and solar energy in action from the canopy which generates clean, emissions-free energy,” said Geoff West, FPL’s director of development. "As our Distillery partners understand the importance of sourcing local ingredients for spirits, we understand the importance of using homegrown sun energy to keep electric bills affordable and safeguard our clean air and water for generations to come.”
“Community inspires us,” said Philip McDaniel, the Distillery’s co-founder and CEO. “The annual event brings old and new friends to celebrate the holidays with fine distillery spirits.”
“This evening is a collaboration that honors our building's rich history with a commitment to advancing a cleaner energy future for residents,” concluded Will Hensler, the Distillery's chief operating officer. “We've love sharing the joy of the season and sustainable energy with our community!”
The Lightner Museum - The Triumph of Nature
The Lightner Museum will open its "Triumph of Nature: An Evening of Art Nouveau" exhibit on Friday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Alcazar Casino.
Treasury on the Plaza will provide cocktails, Chef’s Garden will provide hors d’oeuvres, and Miami’s French Horn Collective will perform live gypsy jazz.
This exhibition marks the culmination of the Lightner Museum's 75th anniversary celebration.
St. Augustine's Nights of Lights
Nights of Lights begins on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Plaza de la Constitución.
Showtime USA dance troupe will perform in front of City Hall at 4 p.m. followed by the All-Star Orchestra in the Plaza’s Gazebo at 5:30 p.m. The Christmas tree lighting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Plaza.
Lighting honorees include A. Joel Autry, assistant manager, Grounds Division; Chris Fitts, Angels in the Architecture; Tom Heath, Heath Electric; and John Regan, P.E., retired city manager.
Click here for parking and free shuttle details.
Nights of Lights ends on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
Holiday House Tours kick off at St. Augustine’s Ximenez-Fatio House
Ximenez-Fatio House Museum begins A Celebration of Art & History on Saturday, Nov. 18. Held in partnership with St. Augustine’s Art Association, 14 fireplaces decorated by local artists will be on display in the 225-year-old house adorned for Christmas.
Artists include Melissa Whitehead; Martha Ferguson; Linda Sperruzzi; Laura Leibert; Catherine St. Jean; Angela Gaudioso-Klein; Barbara Betus; Paula Pascucci; Svetlana Shorey; Robyn Freedman; Gwen Mehler; Teri Tompkins; Judy Vance; and the Flagler College Fine Arts Department - Leslie Robison; Sara Pedigo, and Jason Schwab.
In a recent press release, Executive Director Payson Tilden described the event as a unique opportunity to celebrate its partnership with the Art Association, which began in the house in 1924.
Tours will be held at 10 and 11 a.m. and 12, 1, and 3 p.m. at the coquina structure of the Ximenez Fatio House and Museum, 20 Aviles St.
This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Tree lighting and more: What's happening in St. Augustine this weekend
