ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (March 30) Visitors and residents of the Nation’s oldest city will have a wide variety of Easter-related events to enjoy. History, blessings, Spanish culture, parades and even the Easter Bunny will be included in St. Augustine’s Easter Week activities. Here are the highlights:

Friday, April 3
Knighting Ceremony: St. Augustinians who have provided outstanding service to the community will be honored in this colorful Knighting Ceremony to be held at 7 p.m. in Isabella’s Garden at the corner of St. George and Hypolita Streets across from the Columbia Restaurant.

Saturday, April 4
Family Easter Festival: The World Golf Hall of Fame will host its annual Family Easter Festival from 9-11:30 a.m. The popular event includes an egg hunt on the lawn, photos with the Easter Bunny, train rides, IMAX movies, bounce houses, clowns and much more. Tickets are $6 and must be purchased in advance by calling 904.940.4010 or online at www.wgv.com.

Sunday, April 5
Blessing of the Fleet: The 63rd annual Blessing of the Fleet will begin at noon with a procession of dignitaries from the Cathedral Basilica to the St. Augustine City Marina. The Reverend Thomas Willis will deliver an individual blessing to each boat ranging in size from shrimp trawlers to powerboats as it passes the dock.

Sunday, April 12
Promenade and Parade: Ladies and ‘Gents, boys and girls (and even pets) compete for prizes in this annual promenade of Easter finery. Prizes are awarded in categories such as Largest Family, Farthest From Home, Prettiest Hat and many others. The Promenade begins at 12:30 p.m. in St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitucion. Beginning in 1957 as the Parada de los Caballos and Coches (Parade of Horses and Carriages), the annual St. Augustine Easter Parade now features marching bands, floats, clowns, equestrian units, the Easter Bunny, historic re-enactors and beauty queens. The parade starts through downtown St. Augustine at 3 p.m.

Thursday, April 16
Fromajarda Serenade: Tasty cheese pastries and lilting Spanish melodies are the trademarks of this traditional Easter activity brought to St. Augustine by the Menorcans who arrived in the city in the late 18th century. Accompanied by violin and guitar players, young men go from house to singing songs of praise to the Virgin Mary. If homeowners are pleased with the performance, the singers are rewarded with fromajadas – small, cheese pastries. The serenade takes place at 7 p.m. in Isabella’s Garden at the corner of St. George and Hypolita Streets across from the Columbia Restaurant.

Sunday, April 19
Menorcan Day Tea: This annual celebration features both a tea and an opportunity for the descendants of the courageous Menorcan families who came to St. Augustine to tell the story of their ancestors’ struggles in 19th century Florida. This exciting and entertaining event begins at 2 p.m. in Isabella’s Garden.

For more information on Easter events in St. Augustine, visit the Easter Festival Committee’s website www.staugeasterfestival.com . The Easter Festival is supported in part by a grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. For more details on events and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches, go to www.Getaway4Florida.com or call 1.800.653.2489.

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