The Lightner Museum will celebrate its 70th anniversary as well as the 130th anniversary of the former Alcazar Hotel (the building where the museum is now housed) this Friday, October 19, from 7 to 10 p.m.
The event, dubbed Promenade the Alcazar, will treat guests to music, light hors d’oeuvres, wine and plenty of fascinating stories about the museum and the hotel that preceded it.
Upon entering the courtyard, guests will enjoy music from the Raisin Cake Orchestra and architectural tours of the historic Alcazar Hotel courtyard.
Inside, wine tastings and hors d’oeuvres will be available throughout the museum’s four levels. Guests will also be able to engage with the museum’s collection and the rich history of the building. A representative from Museum Hack, a New York-based company known for its out-of-the-box approach to museum tours, will be in the galleries to provide fun insights.
Lightner’s curators will also be unveiling several newly restored exhibition spaces and introducing plenty of items for the first time that have been tucked away in storage!
The evening will culminate in the historic pool and mezzanine areas with additional hors d’oeuvres and wine. A special performance in the historic pool area will be delivered by New York’s Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra (best known for performances at events including the Cannes Film Festival and The Manhattan Cocktail Classic).
As an added bonus, attendees will also be eligible to win a Viking Cruise for two to a European destination. It includes a river-view stateroom with deluxe accommodations.
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To mark its 20th year, World Golf Village will hold a Golf Festival throughout the community this weekend. The event is free to the public and features interactive activities with something special for golf fans of all ages!
Did you know the datil pepper is the official plant of St. Johns County (or that we have an official plant)? That’s right, our official plant is the datil (up to 300,000 on the Scoville scale, on par with the orange habanero in terms of heat).
If you’re always looking out for great wellness products and services, you are in for a treat! The September Health & Wellness Expo takes place at the Renaissance Resort World Golf Village on Sunday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Smithsonian magazine is hosting a nationwide celebration of museums on Saturday, September 22! The organization is partnering with more than 1,250 museums and cultural institutions around the U.S. to offer free general admission.

Calling all literature enthusiasts: The 2018 Florida Heritage Book Festival is coming to St. Augustine on Saturday, September 15! The free festival is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Flagler College’s Ringhaver Student Center. Attendees can sit in on presentations by locally-renowned authors and visit a book marketplace and author signings.
If you love live music but have no interest in paying Ticketmaster prices to see shows, you are in luck! St. Augustine’s 2018 Sing Out Loud Music Festival runs the first four weekends in September and performances are free and open to the public!
Attention nature enthusiasts! If you’re curious about the natural beauty of our coastal lands and the many animals that live here, Marineland’s Lecture Series is a great opportunity to learn!

