Florida's Historic Coast to Celebrate 500th Anniversary of Ponce de Leon's Landing in FL, 4/2-3

This week, all eyes will be on the Nation's oldest city when Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon steps foot on Florida's shore 500 years to the day of his original arrival to La Florida.

Florida's Historic Coast will celebrate the anniversary of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon's landing in Florida to plant the flag for Spain 500 years ago with colorful reenactments, cannon firings, a musket drill, a religious mass at the Cathedral Basilica, and historic dedications by dignitaries from Florida and Spain.

Events Schedule:

April 2, 2013:

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - The only surviving navigational reading recorded of Ponce de Leon's "Journey of Discovery" was at a position of 30 degrees 8 minutes north latitude, just off the coast of current day Ponte Vedra. Commemoration activities will be held at the North Beach Access parking lot at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve on AIA in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Ceremonies and presentation include a reenactment of Ponce and his men, a reading taken on a 16th century nautical astrolabe, the unveiling of a 15-foot statue of Ponce de Leon, a state historical marker and interpretive signage.

April 3, 2013:

9 a.m. - A full-fledged colorful re-enactment of the landing of Ponce de Leon and his crew will be heralded with cannon fire, musket drills along St. Augustine's Historic Bayfront.

10 a.m. - A commemorative La Florida Wreath will be placed at the Ponce de Leon Statue across from the historic Bridge of Lions in downtown St. Augustine. Dignitaries include City of St. Augustine Mayor Joseph Boles and the mayor of Ponce de Leon's hometown of Santervás, Santiago Baeza Benavides. A blessing will be given by Bishop Felipe Estévez of the Diocese of St. Augustine. Florida dignitaries and professional reenactors portraying Ponce de Leon and his landing party will also be in attendance.

10:30 a.m. - Press Interviews in St. Augustine Plaza de La Constitucion.

11 a.m. - The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine will celebrate the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon's landing with a mass led by St. Augustine Diocese Bishop Felipe J. Estévez and will feature the blessing of a Baptismal Font, which is a hand-masoned replica of the 15th century font used to baptize Ponce de León in the City of Santervás. Spanish dignitaries and State of Florida representatives will attend the commemorative mass

12:30 p.m. - The United States Postal Service will unveil the 2013 La Florida Forever Stamp at Lewis Auditorium on the campus of St. Augustine's Flagler College. Presenters include: Florida Secretary of State, Kenneth Detzner; Flagler College President, Dr. William Abare; Florida Senator Bill Nelson and Ponce de Leon, portrayed by actor Chad Light.

Florida's Historic Coast - St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra - remains the only documented location for Juan Ponce de Leon's 1513 voyage. The only surviving navigational fix from the journey was taken at noon on April 2, 1513, putting his fleet at a position of 30 degrees 8 minutes north latitude. That position is north of today's St. Augustine and just south of Ponte Vedra Beach.

Additional events: April 6 & 7: Ponce de Leon Celebration: La Fiesta de la Florida - Colorful reenactments representing 500 years of Florida history will take place. Latin food, historic military demonstrations by the Historic Florida Militia, folkloric dancers from Hispanic countries and other live entertainment will be featured at various locations in Historic St. Augustine, Florida.

For more information about Ponce de Leon's historic claim of La Florida, visit www.ponce500.com.

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra Beach and 42 miles of pristine, Atlantic beaches and the location of Ponce De Leon's historic discovery of Florida in 1513.

For more information on events, activities, holiday getaway and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com, become a fan on Facebook (St-Augustine-Florida) or call 1.800.653.2489.

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