The 2018 Made in St. Augustine Festival showcases those who create, craft, construct, grow, produce, educate, cook and bake in St. Augustine. The one-day annual festival features artisans, builders, craftspeople, chefs, bakers, farmers, brewers, historians, educators and absolutely anyone who creates products, services, and opportunities in St. Augustine. Made in St. Augustine’s festival is built entirely around interactive activities such as sampling dishes and beverages from dozens of local restaurants, as well as food and drink vendors; watching live cooking demonstrations and a bartenders’ competition; shopping for exclusively locally, handcrafted items; participating in instructional workshops and make-and-take stations; learning about the area’s history, culture, natural resources and services through educational demos; taking part in a variety of games and activities; and listening to music performed by top local artists. As you might suspect, that could get overwhelming. So here are the basics and all the things you need to know to make the most of the fest.
THE BASICS
The Made in St. Augustine Festival will be held on Sunday, February 11 from 11am-6pm at Francis Field, 25 West Castillo Drive. Admission for this event is only $5 and kids 5 and under are free. Get your tickets online now and get $1 off each admission!
MADE TO MARKET
The open-air market provides visitors a one-stop shopping opportunity. Explore the local makers who produce everything from art, jewelry, woodcraft, home furnishings, decor, personal care products, remedies, instruments, culinary tools, craft cocktails, baked goods, locally-sourced packaged foods, farm-fresh produce to frozen treats and much more. If you want to become a maker yourself, take part in one of the Junior Made stations. Averaging $5 per activity and located throughout the festival, these stations provide participants of all ages an opportunity to learn a new craft or skill and make-and-take their creation. (Bragging rights included!) For the more serious DIY types, check out the festival’s workshops at the St. Augustine Law Group Made to Create tent where you can gain hands-on instruction from our local makers and culinary experts to create your own masterpiece.
Throughout this market, you’ll find more than 75 local artisans, craftsmen, and makers setting up shop to showcase their goods. For a full list of market vendors, visit www.madeinstaugustinefest.com/market.
MADE TO TASTE
Come hungry (and thirsty!) and explore the many tastes of St. Augustine under one roof. Try samples of local restaurants’ best dishes for only $2-$6. Seize the opportunity to meet the local farmers who supply the area’s culinary efforts (and pick up some fresh produce in the process!). Quench your thirst as you visit with local coffee roasters, beverage specialists, distillers, brewers, and vintners. Once you have satiated your appetite, learn how to prepare delectable cuisine at home. Free cooking demonstrations led by local chefs will be ongoing at the Maritime Creative Made-to-Cook tent throughout the day.
Dishes from 19 different St. Augustine restaurants will be available for sampling. For a full list of participating restaurants, visit www.madeinstaugustinefest.com/made-to-taste.
MADE TO LEARN
Learn about the oldest city’s vast history, culture, maritime heritage, natural resources, and services. Historians, local experts, and teachers are eager to share all of the unique activities and opportunities available in our own backyard. The oldest city’s rich background and natural environment lends itself to experiences not available anywhere else in the world. Be sure to check out all of the live demonstrations.
Or head over to the Made to Create tent to discover a new talent when you take part in one of the workshops. Local experts will lead participants in creating unique crafts and cultivating new culinary skills in these hour-long, small-group classes. Experts from 17 different local groups and businesses will be on hand.
To browse all the participating experts, visit www.madeinstaugustinefest.com/made-to-learn and to check out the available workshops, visit www.madeinstaugustinefest.com/workshops.
MADE FOR FUN
Throughout the festival day, different acts and performers will grace the stage to provide entertainment for shoppers and students. Headlining the Festival will be local favorite, The Ramona Duo and alongside them will be Katy Schirard, the RJ Murray Middle School Jazz Band, Kyra Livingston, and Clayton Bush. At 3pm, the stage will play host to a bartending competition where four bartenders will face off to create the most authentically St. Augustine cocktail.
For a full schedule of performances, visit www.madeinstaugustinefest.com/on-stage.
If you’re a true locavore, this festival is a can’t-miss occasion. Be you foodie or shopaholic or merely a lover of all things St. Augustine, they’ll be no shortage of ways to celebrate, learn, and fill your bags. To find out more about the festival, visit www.madeinstaugustinefest.com.
All images via Made in St. Augustine. To discover more events in St. Augustine, visit our online calendar of events!
