Fall Season 2008 on Amelia Island: Fun Festivals… Books, Films, Jazz and More
AMELIA ISLAND, Florida. (August 13, 2008) – As summer winds down and fall approaches, Amelia Island will kick its festival season into overdrive with a full schedule of events. Featuring books, film, a Triathlon, Latin heritage, and more, the island's colorful fall calendar adds a variety of celebrations for visitors to enjoy.
A longtime favorite vacation destination, Amelia Island was recently voted one of the top 10 North American Island's by Conde Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards. Adding to its appealing mix of luxurious spas, natural beauty, and remarkable history, Amelia Island's fall event calendar gives visitors even more reason to come experience the island's quiet beaches, championship golf, and charming Victorian-era character.
Upcoming events on Amelia Island include:
August 27 – 31, 2008 -- Amelia Island Songwriter Festival
On August 27, the inaugural Amelia Island Songwriter Festival will begin with a local songwriter jam at 5 p.m. at the Florida House Inn. The event lasts through August 31 and allows undiscovered and newly discovered songwriters to network with other songwriters and industry professionals. The festival also offers seminars and workshops specifically designed to improve songwriting skills. Open to individuals, duos, and groups who write and perform original music, the Songwriter Festival will hold a minimum of nine songwriting contests, plus a Grand Event where “Song of the Year” and “Songwriter of the Year” will be named. The festival also offers performances by established professional songwriters such as Jim Brickman, Shanna Banana, Jason Blume and many more. The event activities will take place at venues across the island, including the Palace Saloon, O'Kane's Irish Pub, Wicked Davey's, Frisky Mermaid, Sandy Bottoms, and the Amelia Island Plantation, giving visitors a great opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of Fernandina's historic district during their stay. For additional details and tickets visit www.songwriterfestival.org.
September 20, 2008 -- Fiesta de Santa Maria
On September 20, exotic sights, sounds and flavors will fill the streets of Fernandina Beach during the 5th Annual Fiesta de Santa Maria celebration. A colorful tribute to the town's Latin roots, the Fiesta celebrates the spirit of the Isla de Santa Maria – the name by which the island was known during the first Spanish reign (1565 – 1763). The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Fernandina. Visitors can enjoy a piñata breaking, Latin-themed dishes, a street dance, and much more. For more Fiesta de Santa Maria information, contact Sandy Price, HFBA Event Coordinator, at (904) 206-0756 or email slprice@bellsouth.net.
September 25 – 28, 2008 -- Amelia Island Film Festival
On September 25, the Amelia Island Film Festival will reel off its inaugural season – a weekend celebration of film screenings, workshops, lectures, exhibits and more at venues across the island. The four-day film festival plans to screen more than 40 films, including 16 shorts and 15 features, consisting of student, independent, documentaries, Sci-Fi, and classic films. Some of the titles include Sunshine State, Rebel Without a Cause and Lonely Hearts. Visitors can attend individual screenings for $10 each, or purchase a Festival Pass for $100 per single and $150 per double. Student passes are available for $45. For more information, visit http://www.ameliaislandfilmfestival.org/or call(904) 335-1110.
September 27 – 28, 2008 -- Amelia Island Fall Arts Festival
The 2nd Annual Amelia Island Fall Arts Show, will be held September 27 and 28, 2008, in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach and will feature a variety of fine art from juried artists from around the country. With more than 125 artists, the art show will turn downtown Fernandina into an outdoor art gallery. In conjunction with the art show, a number of, restaurants and saloons will participate in a Wine and Beer Tasting, where visitors can sample wines and beers from Europe, South America and across America. More details are available at http://www.jandcoevents.com/.
October 4, 2008 -- Atlantic Coast Triathlon at Amelia Island
Amelia Island is hosting the Atlantic Coast Triathlon on October 4, giving visitors and residents a chance to swim, bike and run through the incredible scenery that has made Amelia one of the country's top five favorite island destinations. The event is a Long Course Triathlon format, consisting of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run, as well as an Olympic distance “Ameliaman,” which includes a 1.5 kilometer swim, 40 kilometer bike ride and 10K run. Registration is now available online at www.atlanticcoasttriathlon.com or http://www.drcsports.com/. Only the first 800 Long Distance applicants and 200 Olympic Distance athletes will be able to compete, so register now.
October 2 – 4, 2008 -- Annual Amelia Island Book Festival
The Annual Amelia Island Book Festival will open this year on October 2, with a Sun, Sea, Sand and Stories theme. The festival kicks off with a Vintage and Rare Wine Auction at The Palace Saloon from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. With something for every reading taste, the Festival offers book lovers and writers dozens of talks and programs, including book signings, luncheons and great parties. With venues throughout historic downtown Fernandina Beach, this year's festival will include 25 exciting authors, including New York Times Bestselling Author Steve Berry. The festival also offers hands-on activities for kids, such as an author treasure hunt, a create-your-own-book program, photo opportunities, chapter tents with storytelling and crafts and more. The main festival events are Saturday, October 4, 2008. For more information, call (904) 491-8176 or visit http://www.bookisland.org/.
October 5 – 12, 2008 -- Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival
The Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival returns for its 2008 season, October 5-12, with a jazzy lineup of free and paid performances at venues around the island. The eight-day festivalhighlights an array of styles, including Dixieland, Smooth Jazz, Bebop, Big Band, Blues and Latin. This year's featured artists include Harry Allen, Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band, Dirty Martini featuring Jeff Rupert with vocalist Michelle Amato, Latino Impacto 10-Piece Latin Jazz/Dance Band, The 19-Piece US Navy Band Southeastand The Dynamic Les DeMerle Band featuring vocalist Bonnie Eisele with special guest Dr. Bill Prince,The Spare Rib Six DixielandBandand the UNF Jazz Ensemble directed by Dr. Marc Dickman. Tickets are now availableonline at http://www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com/or by calling 904-504-4772.
October 11, 2008 -- B&B Fall Decorating Tour Offers Valuable Discounts
Presenting the second in their trio of walking tours, the Amelia Island Bed and Breakfast Association (AIBBA) will offer a Fall Decorating tour on October 11 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring all things pumpkin, the tour offers an opportunity for visitors to tour the public areas of each of the seven bed and breakfast inns on Amelia Island. Guests will be “trick or treating” at the inns for coupons from a variety of area shops, restaurants, attractions and the bed and breakfasts. Upon entry at each inn, tour guests will receive a goody-bag of coupons, including a $25 coupon from that inn and an assortment from local merchants. The participating inns include Addison on Amelia, Amelia Island Williams House, Ash Street Inn, Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Fairbanks House, Florida House Inn, and Hoyt House. For more information, visit http://www.ameliaislandinns.com/.
October 18, 2008 -- 12th Annual 8 Flags Car Show Presented by Amelia Cruizers, the 12th Annual 8 Flags Car show is a fun, free event that attracts car collectors from far and wide. During the show, these enthusiasts line their restored beauties down both sides of Centre Street, creating a dazzling automotive display from the waterfront to 8th street. Proceeds from the 8 Flags Car Show go to charity, with the Amelia Cruizers having raised more than $71,000 in the past 11 years. For more information, call (904) 491-5975 or visit www.ameliacruizers.org.