AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (January 4, 2010) – Florida’s Amelia Island has turned the page on their event calendar to reveal a 2010 packed with exciting events for visitors. One of North America’s most popular island destinations, little Amelia Island manages to enhance her 13-miles of natural beauty and charm with activities appealing to a wide array of interests. From January through March, visitors can enjoy their choice of bowl games and book fairs, tours and tastings, film fests and food fairs, concerts and cars, sandcastles and soldiers, and more.
Upcoming events on Amelia Island include:
January 9: Wine Tasting at Amelia Island Plantation Join the Amelia Island Plantation for a wine tasting at Marche Burette at The Spa & Shops. The event takes place from 12 to 2 p.m. For more information, call (904) 432-2202.
January 9: Summer in January Extravaganza! Join Harrison’s Mercantile from 12 to 5 p.m. for special discounts on merchandise and a taste of fruity cocktails while dreaming of warm summer months. Enter to win a three-day/two-night stay at the Amelia Inn. For more information, call (904) 432-2202.
January 9: Artrageous Artwalks Every second Saturday, Amelia Island holds an exciting Artrageous Artwalk. Thirteen participating galleries offer a diverse selection of art, including acrylics, copper, metals, photography, pottery, stained glass, watercolors and much more. Visitors can peruse more than a dozen galleries in the historic downtown district of Fernandina Beach. Artrageous Artwalk takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. For more information, call (800) 226-3542 or visit www.ameliaisland.com.
January 15: 3rd on 3rd at Amelia Island Museum of History On the third Friday of every month, the Amelia Island Museum of History offers a special presentation related to the intriguing history of the island. Events take place at 5:30 p.m. at Baker Hall in the museum. Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members. Visit www.ameliamuseum.org for additional information about the museum.
January 24-31: Second Annual Amelia Island Restaurant Week The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to announce the Second Annual Restaurant Week, which offers a great opportunity to try a selection of Amelia’s irresistible, award-winning dining options. With 19 participating restaurants in 2010, patrons can enjoy the culinary masterpieces by some of the area’s finest restaurants at a great price. Each restaurant will offer a fixed menu, including three courses and a beverage, for $19 and $29. For more information and a list of participating restaurants, visit www.ameliaisland.com/yummy.
January 30: Gourmet Tasting at Amelia Island Plantation Join the Amelia Island Plantation for a gourmet tasting at Marche Burette at The Spa & Shops. The event takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call (904) 432-2202.
February 6-7: Union Garrison at Fort Clinch State Park Living history interpreters recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War between the States. These events, held on the first weekend of every month, offer visitors the opportunity to see how the soldiers lived during the Civil War. Activities may include powder artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. Additionally, soldiers and civilians offer a glimpse into garrison life, by taking up duty in the laundry, infirmary, barracks and kitchen. Saturday events are held from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sunday events are offered from 9 a.m. until noon. For details call (904) 277-7274, or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch.
Feb 13 : Artrageous Artwalks See description above.
February 12-13: The Annual Amelia Island Book Festival With two days of programming and events celebrating the written word, the Annual Amelia Island Book Fair opens with a day-long Writers’ Workshop on Friday, with a Story and Song concert that evening. All day Saturday is a free festival with something for everyone – especially children. More than 30 local, regional and nationally renowned authors will sign books and offer programs on a wide variety of topics. For more information, call (904) 491-8176, visit www.bookisland.org or send email to info@bookisland.org.
February 19: 3rd on 3rd at Amelia Island Museum of History See description above.
February 19-21: Amelia Island Last Leg Rally Held in historic Fernandina Beach, the Last Leg Rally will include a Guided Poker Run, Entertainment, Food and Drinks, Car Show, Bike Show, Raffles, and much more. Proceeds from this event will benefit Wounded and Disabled Veterans. For more information, visit www.ameliaisland.com, contact wickedwii@aol.com, or call (904)-277-2086.
February 25- March 1: Amelia Island Film Festival Film lovers should grab some popcorn and take a seat at the second annual Amelia Island Film Festival (AIFF). From February 25 to March 1, the Festival will present screenings, workshops, lectures and exhibits at various venues throughout Amelia Island. This year's AIFF Richard Widmark Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Producer Jonathan Demme for his body of work, including two films in the Fest-- Jimmy Carter Man from Plains (2007) and Manchurian Candidate (2004), partially filmed in Fernandina Beach. Tickets start at $20 for a one-day pass, contact the AIFF hotline at 904-491-7617 or email at lorbell1@aol.com for tickets. For additional information on the Festival, visit www.AmeliaIslandFilmFestival.org or call (904) 335-1110.
February 26: Sail with the Filmmakers Amelia River Cruises and the Amelia Island Film Festival will host an all day Ferry service, allowing visitors to Meet The Filmmakers, who will be traveling on ferry trips throughout the day. As part of the Festival, Amelia River Cruises will use their Cumberland Sound Ferry for a narrated tour up the Amelia River, across the Cumberland Sound and up the St. Marys River while sharing the company of visiting filmmakers. Passengers will explore the beautiful landscape and wildlife that make northeastern Florida and southeast Georgia such a unique place to visit and live, with a special reception by St. Marys downtown merchants. Tickets are $22 roundtrip. More information on available departures and returns is available by contacting Lori Hoerl at (904) 491-7617 or via email at lorbell1@aol.com.
March 5: Sounds on Centre The Historic Fernandina Business Association is proud to present SOUNDS ON CENTRE. This free community concert is held the First Friday of each month from March through October in the historic downtown on Centre Street between 2nd and Front Streets from 6 to 8 p.m. Be sure to bring a chair, your dancing shoes and a smile and song in your heart to enjoy the free concert (band TBA). For additional information, visit www.downtownfernandina.com.
March 6-7: Amelia Island Garden Show Hosted by the Fernandina Farmers Market, the Amelia Island Garden Show will roll out nature's brightest colors for two days, March 6-7, 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, plants, trees and palms, orchids, bonsai, water pond accessories, native plants, butterfly-friendly plants, shrubs, and garden accessories. Get on-site expert advice about how to "green" your home, yard and garden, and enjoy the short presentations and demonstrations at the "Ask the Expert" booth. Be sure not to miss the Butterfly Encounter for a unique experience with 300 Florida native butterflies. Guests can also get up close and personal with live Florida native birds of prey presented by the Avian Reconditioning Center (ARC). The Raptor Experience will offer master falconers sharing training techniques used in rehabilitation and more. Visit www.ameliagarden.com for more details.
March 6-7: Union Garrison at Fort Clinch State Park See description above.
March 12-14: Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance One of the nation's most innovative vintage auto events, The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance features more than 250 rare classics from seldom-seen private collections nationwide. The prestigious event will be held for the 15th consecutive year on Amelia Island. The event is held at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach, adjacent to the hotel. Visit www.ameliaconcours.org for more information.
March 13: Artrageous Artwalks See description above.
March 19: 3rd on 3rd at Amelia Island Museum of History See description above.
March 20-21: Confederate Garrison at Fort Clinch State Park Living history interpreters recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War between the States. These events are held the first weekend of every month, giving visitors a chance to see how the soldiers lived during the Civil War. Activities may include powder artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. Additionally, soldiers and civilians recreate garrison life by taking up duty in the laundry, infirmary, barracks and kitchen. Saturday events are held from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sunday events are offered from 9 a.m. until noon. For details call (904) 277-7274, or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch.
-Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau-
About Amelia Island
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Its long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife and pristine waters have made the island a favorite destination for outdoor adventure. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts. 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. Forget the everyday getaway; Come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information and online planning, visit www.ameliaisland.com.
MEDIA INFO: Katharina Brierton Lane
Hayworth Creative Public Relations
(386) 677-7000/ katharina@hayworthcreative.com
