Wreath Laying Ceremony for Pedro Menéndez Birthday

On Friday, February 14, 2020, St. Augustine will commemorate the 501st birthday of its founder, Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, with a wreath-laying ceremony at the base of his statue in front of City Hall. The brief ceremony, which will begin at 10:00 a.m., is free and open to the public.

The ceremony will include a processional in front ot the statue by a group of reenactors from Historic Florida Militia.

The City of St. Augustine designated the area in front of City Hall as Parque de Menéndez in honor of the city founder on an earlier birthday celebration, on February 15, 1978. The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Spain to the United States. The statue of Pedro Menéndez, a replica of the one in the city of Avilés, was given by "the People of Avilés, Spain to the People of St. Augustine, Florida." 

This event is part of the week-long Festival de San Agustin, presented by Historic Florida Militia in celebration of the 501st birthday of St. Augustine's founder, Pedro Menéndez. Other events include the Noche de Festival gala dinner on Saturday, February 8, a showing of the PBS documentary, "Secrets of Spanish Florida" on Wednesday, February 12, two historical saunters on February 7 and 14, and the School of the 16th Century on Saturday, February 15, 2020.

Admission: Free

When: Friday, February 14, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.

Where: The statue of Pedro Menéndez in the Parque de Menéndez in front of City Hall, at 74 King St., St. Augustine FL 32084.