St.
Augustine Vacation News: The Nights of Lights Festival
St. Augustine,
Florida is a favorite vacation destination for millions of
people every year. This charming city offers not only the natural
beauty of the Florida coast, but it also offers what amounts to
a trip back in time- as many of St. Augustine's original historic
monuments still stand throughout the downtown historic district.
These historic structures pay homage to the original Spanish settlers
who spotted and populated the St. Augustine coast hundreds of
years ago.
In addition to the natural beauty and the historic
monuments of the area, St. Augustine also hosts a multitude
of local festivals that bring fun and flare to visitors and locals
alike. Over the last decade the city of St. Augustine has put
on a celebration of light called Nights of Lights. This year marks
the 12th annual celebration of this Old City event where thousands
of blazing lights bring energy to the already thriving St. Augustine
area.
This year's Nights of Lights kicks off on November 19th. While
this festival began with the lighting of a few key St. Augustine
structures, today it is a city wide festival that literally lights
the night up in blazing light. In addition to the downtown parks,
historic buildings, the city's historic Bayfront that are lit
up, local residents and business owners also join in by decorating
their own buildings with blazing light. The result is something
bright and glorious; and something you don't want to miss.
The unique, Spanish style architecture of the historic St. Augustine
structures is truly something to behold in the light of day. And
now the Nights of Lights festival puts these structures on display
long after the sun has set as well. There is something perfectly
relaxing about wandering through St. Augustine's downtown historic
district with family and friends and welcoming locals- with a
warm breeze on your back and a millions dazzling lights lighting
up the Florida skyline.
This year's St. Augustine Night of Lights festival kicks off with
a dazzling lighting ceremony in the city's historic Plaza de la
Constitucion located in the very heart of St. Augustine' s historic
district. After a spirited performance of a fun filled singing
and dancing troupe of children called Showtime USA, St. Augustine's
All Star Orchestra, led by Gary Strohminger, brings musical flare
to the event. The All Star Orchestra is a popular 20-piece band
that offers up wonderful swing and big band sounds for St. Augustine
locals and tourists alike to enjoy.
The actual lighting ceremony begins in the early evening when
St. Augustine's mayor- George Gardner lights the city's official
Christmas tree. This magnificent holiday tree is decorated with
the best of a old world style; meaning the decorations are a throwback
to the way Christmas trees were decorated in St. Augustine in
the 1800's. Then after a climatic countdown from 10 to 1, the
mayor and a participating audience member "flip the switch" on
the downtown lights. And in the blink of an eye the city's skyline
comes to vibrant life under the blaze of a million sparkling lights.
Once begun, St. Augustine Nights of Lighst festival marks the
beginning of aver 2 ½ months of holiday sprit and celebration
in the area. Without a doubt, the winter and Christmas season
marks the most festive season of all in St. Augustine. And that's
saying a lot for an old world, Florida city that takes pride in
being festive on a year round basis. The Nights of Lights festival
is a great example of St Augustine's unique culture and charm;
offering the kind of recreational appeal that draws millions of
vacationers every year.
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