St Augustine Arts and Crafts Festival - St. Augustine Art Association

Twice a year the St. Augustine Art Association orchestrates the St Augustine Arts and Crafts Festival and the fall festival is this weekend.  This Florida arts and crafts fest features more than 125 select artists from across the region showcasing the finest art creations in the area.  In addition to the art, the St. Augustine Arts and Crafts Festival will also have concerts from musicians of the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, imported beer and wine and wonderful food to fit any palate.

When:  November 27th and 28th, 2010
Where:  St. Francis Field, just a few blocks North of the Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast
Cost:  $1 donation to benefit their organization's youth art programs, exhibitions and community outreach

This is one of St. Augustine's better festivals for those traveling in Florida.  The Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast is pleased to have a festival of this quality in St. Augustine.  We will be busy for this Black Friday weekend.  With all that is going on in St Augustine, FL the Carriage Way is the better way to stay!

Tall Ship Lynx winters in St. Augustine, FL

The tall ship Lynx is in St. Augustine, FL for the winter.  The Clipper Schooner Lynx was built to recreate a vessel from the war of 1812.  The American Privateer Lynx will be docked at the St Augustine City Marina through late February.  The ship is 122 feet height and weights 114 tons.  The ship is equipped with pennants and flags from the 1812 era.  The crew are dressed in period costumes and operate the tall ship as sailors would for that period.

The American Navy consisted of only 17 ships at the onset of the war of 1812 and included eight frigates, two brigs, and seven assorted smaller vessels including a few schooners. When a nation went to war, owners of private vessels were granted special permissions, called "letters of marque," to prey upon the enemy's shipping; thus, "privateers."  The American Privateer Lynx was among the first ships to defend American freedom by evading the British naval fleet then blockading American ports and serving in the important privateering efforts.

Tours of the ship are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.  In addition to the dockside educational tours the crew is also offering sailing tours.

Chose to stay in the area while traveling in Florida to see this grand ship.  Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast is the better way to stay.

St Augustine's Nights of Lights - Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley

The Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley will hit the streets for St Augustine's Nights of Lights beginning this Sunday, November 21st.  Guests will enjoy the festive wonderland glittering with over two million lights from the comfort of the Holly Jolly Trolley as you travel through the St. Augustine downtown historic district.  Caroling, hot cider, homemade cookies and complimentary viewing glasses, handcrafted by Santa's Elves, enhances this Florida attraction tour of the oldest city.

When:  November 21st through January 1st.
Time:  Trolleys depart continuously between 6 and 8 p.m. from the St. Augustine Visitor's Center, just 2 blocks North of the Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast
Cost:  $7.00 for Adults, $4 for Children 6-12 p.m.

While enjoying the Nights of Lights, stay here and enjoy this magical time of the year in the ancient city as you travel in Florida.  Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast is the better way to stay for the holidays.

Nights of Lights St Augustine 2010

This coming weekend marks the start of the Nights of Lights St Augustine for 2010.  The Nation's Oldest City will be lit up with 2 million tiny white lights.  This St. Augustine Florida festival event starts Saturday, November 20th when the Mayor of St. Augustine flips the switch from the balcony of the Government House on the West end of the Plaza de Constitucion.  This event is inspired by the original tradition of placing a white candle in the window by the Spanish colonists during the Christmas holiday to brighten the night.  This is the 16th year of this event.  This event attracts visitors from all over as they travel in Florida to see this spectacular display of lights on the buildings and trees with the historic district.

The Old Town Trolley will be providing a special tour in the evening on their Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley and it is also quite special to view the Lights from the Matanzas Bay on either the Schooner Freedom or the Scenic Cruise of St. Augustine.  Take a stroll down St. George Street toward the Plaza and along the bay front toward the Castillo de San Marco for a historic tour of the city.

This is a magical time of the year in the oldest city and is best enjoyed by staying in the Historic District.  Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast is a better way to stay for the Christmas Holiday.

A Prairie Home Companion - St Augustine Amphitheatre

Join Garrison Keillor as he performs a live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion from the St Augustine Amphitheatre this coming Saturday evening and tickets are still available.  The program starts at 5:45 p.m. 

Today, A Prairie Home Companion is heard on 590 public radio stations and abroad on America One and the Armed Forces Networks in Europe and the Far East by more than 4 million listeners.

This weeks program is delivered live from The Saint Augustine Amphitheater in St. Augustine, Florida. With special guests, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, and Floridian vocalist, guitarist, and harmonica heavy JJ Grey shares his own brand of southern rock and soul. Also joining the show, The Royal Academy of Radio Actors: Sue Scott, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman; Rich Dworsky and The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band, vocalist Andra Suchy, and the latest news from Lake Wobegon.

Following the show be sure to stay in St Augustine in the heart of the downtown historic district.  For special events like this, the Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast is a better way to stay!

St. Augustine Pirate Gathering

Aye! so you like to dress and talk like a pirate?  Well, the Annual St. Augustine Pirate Gathering will be in the oldest city next weekend November 13th and 14th.  The fun actually starts Friday night with a pub crawl from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.  On Saturday you will be able to experience a pirate parade, land and sea battles along with weapons demonstrations.  On Saturday evening the Buccaneer Bash will be held.  The Gathering continues on Sunday.  Most of the  events will be located at St. Francis Field, but see the event calendar for further information.

We are excited about the December opening of the Pat Croce's St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum.  The museum will be located around the corner from Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast on St. George Street.  Pat Croce is known for his focus on doing things well and this museum is no exception.  Mr. Croce along with his design team are putting together a first class interactive museum filled with authentic artifacts, treasures and exhibits.  More to come on this great addition of things to see and do in St. Augustine.

Start your own history of memories in the oldest city and stay here.  Carriage Way is the better way to stay!

St Augustine Florida - Best Florida Music Festival

You can feel the excitement in the air for this wonderful November weekend.  One of the best Florida music festivals starts today in St Austine Florida - the 30th Annual Lincolnville Heritage Festival.  The music starts at 6:30 p.m.tonight at St. Francis Field on the Northwest Corner of the St. Augustine Historic District and just a few short blocks from the Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast.  Tonight's musical entertainment will begin with The Jazz Ambassadors of the U.S. Army Field Band, Florida Memorial Gospel and end with Kool & the Gang.

Music on Saturday starts at 12:30 with Joy Dennis, Shyann Roberts, Willie Green, Guitar Shorty, Michael Winslow, Percy Sledge and the headliner, Boys II Men hit the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday's music will begin with Church choirs at 11:30, the Lee Boys and at 3:30 The Blind Boys of Alabama will close out the festival at 3:30 p.m.

What a great weekend of music and food in St. Augustine's Historic District.  For the best Florida weekend getaway choose St Augustine for your Florida lodging.  Carriage Way is a better way to stay.