St. Augustine — The City of St. Augustine will celebrate flipping the on switch for its annual Nights of Lights on Saturday, November 20, 2022.
Celebrations galore will begin with a Showtime USA dance troupe performance at 4 p.m. outside of City Hall followed by the All Star Orchestra in the Gazebo at the Plaza de la Constitución at 5:30pm. Countdown begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitución.
Listed in National Geographic’s world’s top ten best holiday light displays, thousands are expected to ooh and ahh as the the Ancient City illuminates into blanket of sparkling white lights. Spectators can walk, trolley, drive, and boat from the bay front before perusing through the 20-block district of stores, restaurants, hotels and homes adorned with glittering, flickering lights and live music.
Melissa Wissel, a spokesperson for the City of St. Augustine, said the community is excited to bring the all-volunteer event back after last year’s COVID cancellation.
“Nights of Lights brings to life the vibrancy for all who live here,” she said. “The lights create a magical feeling.”
The celebration will also recognize local healthcare heroes through its Light-Up! Night tradition that began in 2003 by then Mayor George Gardner. Honorees will light the Christmas tree along with the canopy of oak trees in the Plaza de la Constitución.
This year, Mayor Tracy Upchurch selected Critical Care Physician Javier Aduen as the honoree in light of his work during the pandemic. While leading Flagler’s Intensive Care Unit, Dr. Aduen and his team in the intensive care unit and colleagues - Dr. Brian Kiekover, Dr. Jerome Truitt, Dr. Todd Battenhorst, and Dr. Vivek Manikal - treated, and continue to do so, critically ill COVID-19 patients.
“Adapting to new and overwhelming amounts of information while providing guidance and support for patients with COVID-19 in a fluid and unpredictable environment is something to be commended,” said Mayor Upchurch.
Mayor Upchurch said that he was honored to bestow this title to Dr. Auden, a man he describes as a true healthcare hero.
Jennifer Wills, Program Coordinator for Care Connect+ of Flagler Health+ will light the trees. Wills is being recognized for working with the social health needs of patients - housing, transportation, food adequacy, and medications - which skyrocketed during COVID-19.
“Jennifer and her team at Care Connect+ rose to this unprecedented challenge, working around-the-clock to ensure that no one’s needs were left unmet,” continued Mayor Upchurch.
Wills will be accompanied by her Care Connect+ team member and Community Health Social Worker, Eric Powell.
In selecting the honorees for this year’s Light-Up! Night, Mayor Upchurch said that he chose those who emulate strength, compassion, humility and hope; those who have “demonstrated the very best in selfless service to our community in our most urgent time of need.”
“It is important to recognize the individuals and the teams of people who, together throughout the pandemic, worked tirelessly to not only save lives, but to improve the lives of others right here in this community,” he said. “We all have been impacted in the past 20 months. Our honorees represent those who go above and beyond to aid and assist those most in need, not just because it’s their job, but because they feel it is their calling to do so.”
“Nights of Lights is a great time of year to be in St. Augustine,” concluded Wissel.
Free shuttle service will be offered on Light Up! Night, Thanksgiving weekend, Saturdays in December and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
For more information, visit www.CityStAug.com.
Traffic updates and road closures will be posted on the St. Augustine Police Department Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/StAugPD
Light-Up! Night Entertainment:
4:00 p.m. Showtime USA, Parque de Menendez, St. Augustine City Hall, 75 King St.
5:30 p.m. All Star Orchestra, Gazebo, Plaza de la Constitución
6:30 p.m. Lighting Ceremony, Gazebo, Plaza de la Constitución
Tours:
St. Augustine’s Old Town Trolley Tours that depart from the Visitor Information Center.
Santa’s Red Express Tours that leave from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum.
Water tours include St. Augustine Eco Tours, Schooner Freedom, Old Town Cycle Cruise, Florida Water Tours, Scenic Cruise, St. Augustine Boat Tours, Pia & Me Charters and Red Boat Water Tours and the Black Raven.
Free Park & Ride Shuttles:
North of Downtown - 1:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Parking at St. Johns County Health Department, 200 San Sebastian View and the San Marco Lot, 301 San Marco Ave.
Drop off/Pick up: Visitor Information Center, 10 S. Castillo Dr.
West of Downtown - 1:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Parking at Broudy’s Lot (corner of US 1 and W. King), 198 & 212 W. King St.
Drop off/Pick-up: Visitor Information Center, 10 S. Castillo Dr.
Anastasia Island - 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Park at Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A South; St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340- C A1A South and R.B. Hunt Elementary, 125 Magnolia Dr.
Drop-off/Pick up: Bridge of Lions - East.
Event updates will be posted at www.CityStAug.com and on the City of St. Augustine Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/CityStAug.
The annual Nights of Pints will also run from November 19, through Jan. 31, 2022 at four St. Augustine breweries — Old Coast Ales, Bog Brewing Company, Dog Rose Brewing Company, and Ancient City Brewing.
Coinciding with the City of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, the event was started in 2017 by the breweries as a way to give back to nonprofit organizations in the area while enjoying the festivities during the Nights of Lights. A portion of the proceeds will go to the St. Augustine Humane Society. The 2021 shirts feature the iconic St. Augustine Lighthouse, designed by The Skinny Lizard T-Shirt Printers.
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