AMELIA
ISLAND
, Fla. (January 25, 2012) – The first three months of 2012 are bringing a variety of events to Northeast Florida’s Amelia Island, entertaining visitors with everything from a week of dining and a murder mystery dinner, to an upscale automobile show and highly acclaimed musical performances. Consistently voted one of the top island destinations in North America, Amelia hosts an intriguing assortment of events showcasing the island’s unique natural beauty, history, fine arts, fine food and more.
Upcoming events on Amelia Island include:
Fernandina Farmers Market
(January 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31)
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., visitors can mingle with local farmers and business owners as they wander through a dizzying selection of farm direct fruits and vegetables harvested just before Market day, as well as a variety of organic products and specialty foods. Visitors will also discover gourmet baked goods, from crusty breads to delectable desserts, and prepared foods such as jellies, relishes and marinades. The Market is also the perfect location to choose from a wide variety of specialty tropical plants and landscaping plants, including orchids, herbs, and garden flowers. For more information, visit www.fernandinafarmersmarket.com.
Fourth Annual Amelia Island Restaurant Week
(January 22-29)
The Fourth Annual Amelia Island Restaurant Week will feature three-course, price-fixed menus at 23 participating restaurants, where visitors can enjoy a favorite dish, try something new, or both. During Restaurant Week, diners can also enter to win a “Year of Dining” that includes one $50 gift certificate for each participating restaurant to be used throughout the next year. Additional information is available at www.ameliaisland.com/yummy.
Tennis Open House
at Omni Amelia Island (January 29)
From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the new tennis pro shop and Health & Fitness Center at Omni Amelia Island Plantation is holding an Open House. Guests can enjoy free court time on one of Racquet Park's 23 Har Tru® courts with a $10 donation to Tennis Without Borders to help grow the game of tennis in Africa and South Africa. Additionally, visitors will receive 20 percent off all pro shop merchandise and complimentary refreshments. Contact (904) 277-5145 for additional information.
Amelia Island Book Festival Special Event
(February 3)
The Amelia Island Book Festival is offering a pre-festival special event with Words and Music with Tom Kimmel, singer, songwriter, poet, teacher and entertainer. Starting at 8 p.m. at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, the event features the award-winning artist singing compositions that have been recorded by major artists such as Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt and Randy Travis. More information is available at www.ameliaislandbookfestival.com.
Union Garrison at Fort Clinch State Park
(February 4-5, March 3-4)
Held the first weekend of every month, the Union Garrison events feature living history interpreters, as they recreate life at the fort during the Civil War. Visitors may see powder artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. For details call (904) 277-7274, or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch.
Artrageous Artwalk
(February 11, March 10)
Every second Saturday, Amelia Island holds an exciting Artrageous Artwalk. With numerous galleries participating, visitors can peruse photography, pottery, copper, metal, stained glass, watercolors, acrylics and more. Visit nearly a dozen galleries in downtown Fernandina. Visit www.ameliaisland.com for additional information.
Cupid Card
(February 11-12)
Visit The Spa & Shops at Omni Amelia Island Plantation to receive a special cupid card. Guests who get the card stamped in each of the Shops’ participating stores are entered to win a $150 Sweetheart Basket. Scratch-off tickets give visitors a chance to win 20 to 50 percent savings in Harrison’s Mercantile, Resort to Home, Amelia’s Signature Shop, Shoe Visions and Monkey Barrel. Visit www.omniameliaislandplantation.com for more details.
Zukerman ChamberPlayers Benefit Concert for AICMF
(February 12)
The renowned Zukerman ChamberPlayers will perform a program of Brahms and Schumann on February 12 in what promises to be a signature event of the 2012 season of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival (AICMF). Led by Pinchas Zukerman, universally acclaimed as one of the greatest violinists on the international stage, the Zukerman ChamberPlayers have performed at many of the world’s most prestigious venues. The 4 p.m. performance will be held at Amelia Plantation Chapel. Tickets range from $50 to $125 and can be purchased at www.aicmf.com or by calling the AICMF box office at (904) 261-1779.
3rd on 3rd at the Amelia Island Museum of History
(February 17, March 16)
On the third Friday of each month, the Amelia Island Museum of History offers a special presentation on a variety of topics related to the history of the island. The event takes place at 6 p.m. at Baker Hall in the museum.
In February, Marsha Dean Phelts will be discussing the life of Mavynne Betsch, also known as the Beach Lady. In March, Ralph Wilbanks will discuss his discovery of the Confederate submarine, the Hunley, in Charleston Harbor. For non-members, admission is $10. Visit www.ameliamuseum.org for additional information about the museum.
Amelia Island Book Festival
(February 17-19)
With three full days of programs, socials and special events, this festival invites book lovers and writers to mingle with noted authors and publishing professionals in a casual, friendly setting. Held at venues throughout Nassau County, Amelia Island and Historic Fernandina Beach, the festival offers many free programs, and all ages are welcome. The festival features a free KIDZ ZONE, with fun activities designed to encourage the love of books and reading. February 19 will include a free panel discussion regarding the works of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and Zora Neale Hurston. Tickets are sold for certain events. For more information, call (904) 624-1665 or visit www.ameliaislandbookfestival.com.
Murder Mystery Dinner
(February 24-25)
The Hoyt House is offering their 3rd Annual Murder Mystery Dinner. The event features a professional script written exclusively for The Hoyt House based on the book “Murder in Fernandina.” Guests will receive the book prior to their visit to learn about the characters. On Friday night, guests enjoy an extended cocktail hour with other guests and the opportunity to meet the author of “Murder in Fernandina.” Saturday features a delicious three-course dinner – and a murder. The best dressed couple will receive two nights on The Hoyt House’s Yacht “Nice Aft.” The Murder Mystery is $299 per couple, in addition to the room cost. The event cannot be combined with any other package or special. Visit www.hoythouse.com for additional details.
Rombauer Vineyards "Leap Year" Wine Dinner
(February 29)
The Ocean Grill at Omni Amelia Island Plantation is offering a Rombauer Vineyards “Leap Year” Wine Dinner. The dinner includes a welcome reception with a lobster candied apple and Maschio Prsecco Brut, D.O.C. Treviso before dining on a five-course menu paired with the finest of wines from Rombauer Vineyards of California. The event begins at 6 p.m., and is $90 per person. Call 904-321-5050 for reservations.
Amelia Island Garden Show
(March 3-4)
Sponsored by the Fernandina Farmers Market, the Amelia Island Garden Show will roll out nature's brightest colors for two days at Central Park in Fernandina Beach. With growers and nurseries from around the state, the show will feature more than 50 vendors with a full assortment of flowers and plants, fruit trees and palms, orchids, herbs, container gardens, native plants, butterfly-friendly plants, shrubs and garden accessories. Get on-site expert advice on how to "green" your home, yard and garden, and enjoy short presentations and demonstrations at the "Ask the Expert" booth. Visit www.ameliagarden.com for more details.
Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
(March 9-11)
On Sunday, March 11, the Ferrari GTO, Shelby Cobra, and Custom Coachwork Cadillacs will be among nearly 300 classic production and race cars from seldom-seen private collections that will be on display on the 10th and 18th fairways at The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach, adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The three-day event includes road rallies, RM Auction of vintage cars, seminars, a black tie Mercedes-Benz USA Gala Dinner and silent auction. The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is one of only two Concours that have more than one auction. For more information, visit www.ameliaconcours.org.
Confederate Garrison at Fort Clinch State Park
(March 17-18)
The Confederate Garrison event feature living history interpreters, as they recreate life at the fort during the Civil War. Visitors may see powder artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. For details call (904) 277-7274, or visitwww.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch.
Cooking School at Salt
(March 28 and 29)
The Salt Cooking School Package includes coastal view accommodations for two nights and participation in the two-day cooking school (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), which features a daily breakfast, champagne-du-jour and luncheon, as well as a Ritz-Carlton apron and recipe book. The March Cooking School theme is South American Carnival, allowing guests to create traditional “street food” with contemporary plating techniques. Pricing starts at $899 for one guest and $1259 for two. Salt Cooking Schools are also offered a la carte, without accommodations, for $339 per person (inclusive). A la carte reservations must be paid for at the time of booking and are not refundable. Additional information can be found at www.ritzcarlton.com/ameliaisland.
A full list of events is available at www.ameliaisland.com/events.
About Amelia Island
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Consistently ranked in the top 10 North American Islands by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, Amelia Island offers long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters. The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions and eateries. Come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information, visit www.ameliaisland.com.
-Amelia Island Convention & Visitor’s Bureau-
