Night Fest

The St. Augustine Lighthouse Festival is evolving. After 18 years of thanking the community during the daylight hours for the relighting of the Lighthouse lens, the First Light Maritime Society, and the Junior Service League of Saint Augustine announce Night Fest, a return to our roots and a celebration of historic preservation, community gatherings and family outings.


4:00 P.M. General Admission opens
4:30 P.M. JSL 5k Run starts
5:30 P.M. JSL Fun Run starts
5:30 P.M. Music starts… Show more
6:00 P.M. Cooking competition begins
9:00 P.M. Cooking competition ends and results are tallied

See the historic, French, lighthouse lens come alive at dusk in the lighthouse tower and enjoy the stars coming out. A special program on navigation by the stars will be held in the Lighthouse Gallery with support from Sea Your History and the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program. Night Fest is the beginning of a new local cooking competition which will feature a signature local cuisine. This year’s competition will focus on local rice dishes like Minorcan Pilau. And a cash prize is available for the lucky winners. Entries are limited to 10 local restaurants or individuals with a prize rice recipe…so sign up early. There will also be activities for the children.

Kathy Fleming, Executive Director, of the First Light Maritime Society that supports the St. Augustine Lighthouse, said “We are returning to our roots, as the Lighthouse Festival began with a relighting of our fabulous Fresnel lens by the JSL 18 years ago. There is something so special about the St. Augustine Lighthouse at night! So we hope that everyone will watch that magic happen again. We are thrilled to support our parent organization, the JSL in providing a new and exciting 5K and Fun Run in the evening…something fun and unique for the race community. Come compete and eat under the stars with your entire family”

There will be a 50% reduced admission for Night Fest of $5 per adult; and only $3 per children; runners and museum members or Local Annual Pass holders are free. Festival goers will also be able to purchase tickets to sample the Cooking Competition and cast their votes for their favorites.

To enter the Junior Service League’s 5k and Fun Run please visit www.lighthouse5krun.com. For information on entering the Cooking Competition please call (904) 829-0745

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