On July 3, 1776, the day following the Continental Congress’ decision to declare independence (which actually occurred on July 2), John Adams penned a letter from Philadelphia to his wife Abigail in Boston, marking the occasion. The letter contained the following passage:
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
It cannot be said with any conviction whether or not the entirety of the US is on board with this proclamation made 247 years ago, but St. Augustine has done its part in validating Adams’ belief. For any of the 70,000-80,000 guests who go to the Historic District in downtown St. Aug to visit the rest of this large-hearted small town, this is what can be expected.
I will be one of those Jeeps in the sand along the white beaches on Anastasia Island. Maybe this reads as if it’s a little cliché, but clichés exist because they are true and effective. Don’t mess with the classics. A day, a 4th of July day, on the beach with friends would make Adams smile. The beaches in St. Augustine are long, with soft sand. The wave range is often 1-2′, offering a good ride to a middle-aged man such as myself with a longboard, but a short board will suffice for any grom—colloquial term for young surfer – – still made exclusively of muscle and bone. Boards and beach gear can be obtained at the Surf Stop on F Street. Tell the owner, Rick Zapone, I sent you: (904) 417-5874.
Maybe the beach isn’t the scene the crew is looking for, or maybe said crew is as pink as an uncooked hotdog because of their days beneath the Florida Sun. Whatever the case, the Independence Day Parade in St. Augustine is a great way to get the local flavor. I prefer being in a parade as opposed to watching it, but if one plans on coming to the St. Augustine bayfront to watch this parade, better get there early. I have seen professionals camping out two to three hours before in anticipation. Claim a space with chairs and/or tarp and take shifts.
During the parade, people can expect to enjoy marching bands, floats, decorated vehicles, and displays of patriotic pride. They should look for fathers embarrassing their children as I have done while not just walking but strutting along San Marco Avenue. “Plenty” of parking is available in the St. Augustine Parking Garage until it runs out: https://www.citystaug.com/621/Parking-Garage. The word is out–St. Augustine Rocks! Meaning, get everywhere early because parking can be difficult to find.
The evening will culminate in a fireworks show in the heart of the Historic District that alights the night sky above the Nation’s Oldest City at around 9:00 pm. Try to concentrate on the fireworks as attention could wander to the Lion’s Bridge or to what the locals call “The Fort,” the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. After the finale of the show, visitors can explore the city’s historic attractions or stroll through the charming streets filled with Spanish colonial architecture. I can’t count how many bars and restaurants are in this remarkable city willing and shining to meet visitors.
St. Augustine has its own soundtrack in the live music visitors will hear. If wanting a big sound with a dynamic front woman and all the talent to support her, look no further than Romona and the Riot: https://www.facebook.com/BOOKRAMONA?mibextid=LQQJ4d. If a premium cocktail and some acoustic guitar is wanted then check out Colton McKenna https://coltonmckenna.com/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ and his brand of soulful crooning at the Prohibition Kitchen https://pkstaug.com/.
As mentioned above, the classics become clichés because they just work. On the Fourth of July, come to St. Augustine, open up and experience that patriotic revelry that John Adams hoped each and everyone of us should and would, and after leaving our little town with the big heart, I’m thinking that a plan to return will be in order.