The 461st Anniversary Founder’s Day Celebration
Join the annual commemoration of the founding of the city of St. Augustine. On September 8, 1565, Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez and his fleet made landfall and were greeted by the indigenous Timucuan tribes. At 10 a.m. there will be a historical reenactment of the 1565 landing at Mission Nombre de Dios, followed by a celebration of Catholic Mass at the outdoor rustic altar. Admission is free.
At noon, guests to the Fountain of Youth Park are able to witness a reenactment of the first Thanksgiving meal. The Fountain of Youth is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission and St. Johns County resident prices are applicable. Mission Nombre de Dios, 27 Ocean Ave.; Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, 11 Magnolia Ave., St. Augustine. www.missionandshrine.org
Location
National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios
101 San Marco Ave.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Why Go:
Step into living history and honor the birth of the nation’s oldest city at the 461st Anniversary Founder’s Day Celebration. This deeply meaningful annual commemoration honors September 8, 1565, the historic day Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez and his fleet made landfall and were warmly greeted by the indigenous Timucuan tribes. The morning’s events begin at 10:00 a.m. at Mission Nombre de Dios with a breathtaking historical reenactment of the original 1565 maritime landing, followed immediately by a solemn celebration of Catholic Mass at the beautiful outdoor rustic altar, with completely free admission for the public. At noon, the celebration transitions over to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, where visitors can witness a riveting reenactment of America’s very first Thanksgiving meal shared between the Spaniards and the Timucuans. The Fountain of Youth grounds remain open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with regular admission and local St. Johns County resident discounts applicable for the afternoon portion.
Wander & Rest Tip
After an enlightening, soul-stirring day immersing yourself in the profound spiritual and cultural history of the 1565 landing sites, leave the busy historic grounds behind and enjoy a peaceful, short drive back across the water to your Vilano Beach sanctuary. Because both the Mission and the Fountain of Youth are situated right along the main northern corridor leading out of the city center, you are perfectly positioned on your route home to make a quick detour into the historic district near 36 Granada to experience the French Pantry collective for a premium late-afternoon beverage, or pull over at 180 Vilano Grill & Pizza to pick up a hot, comforting dinner just moments before pulling into your driveway. Once you arrive back at your private Wander & Rest retreat, wash away the afternoon’s dust and transition into absolute coastal luxury. Deeply soothe your walking muscles inside our private sauna, melt away any physical fatigue from exploring the historic parks in the bubbling hot tub, or enjoy a refreshing, reflective swim under the sky in the pristine heated pool before curling up in the ultra-comfortable indoor lounge areas for a deep, restful sleep.