ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (May 21) – On Saturday, June 6, English pirates will once more rampage through the streets of old St. Augustine in an authentic re-creation of Drake’s Raid of 1586. Conducted by the Historic Florida Militia, this 24th annual re-enactment provides an up-close look at what it was like for St. Augustine’s residents to defend their city against the infamous Sir Francis Drake.

On June 7, 1586, Drake’s 23 ships and 2,000 Englishmen attacked the city with cannons from Anastasia Island. The next day, they stormed through the streets and burned St. Augustine to the ground.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the re-enactment will feature a 16th century encampment at the Fountain of Youth Park, 11 Magnolia Avenue. The encampment will include military drills and camp life demonstrations. Saturday evening at 7 p.m., the running battle will begin at the Santa Domingo redoubt on Orange Street, proceed to the City Gate and then head south on St. George Street to the Plaza de la Constitucion. Each step of the way, Spanish soldiers and St. Augustine townspeople will attempt to stop the English assault. Admission is free to both the encampment and this authentic re-creation of the sack of St. Augustine.

The event is funded in part by a grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. For more information on the re-enactment of Drake’s Raid, call 904.829.3168.

For more information on events in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, call the Visitors and Convention Bureau at 1.800.653.2489 or visit www.Getaway4Florida.

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