Easter in St. Augustine is an Event, with a capital E. On Sunday, March 27, pack up the Easter baskets, put on your fanciest bonnet, and join the celebration. From the procession to the parade, the events are a whimsical combination of the sacred, the cultural, and the historical.
According to Michele Reyna, President of the St. Augustine Easter Week Festival, this parade may be the largest one in the nation held on Easter Sunday. “So many people count on it as part of their family tradition year after year, generation after generation. They make a day of all the activities.”
This parade celebrates the city’s traditions and historic ties to Spain and Menorca. As an added bonus, Loretta Swit will serve as the Easter Parade Grand Marshall. Check out the accompanying Q & A feature with this talented star here.
Event Guide
Promenade and Gathering: (Noon) The newly-crowned 2016 Royal Family and entourage will lead the Promenade from the Cathedral Basilica to the Plaza. When everyone is gathered, prizes will be awarded in categories such as Best Easter Hat, Best Dressed Pet, and more. The royals are Stephanie Ryan Michael as Queen Mariana; Anderson Phillip Davis as King Carlos II; and Emily Courter as Princess Margarita Maria. This trio is based on the 1672 Spanish Royal Family who reigned during the building of the Castillo de San Marcos.
Easter Parade (3 p.m.) The 57th Annual St. Augustine Parade, a.k.a. Parada de los Caballos y Coches, is led by the Spanish Royal Family. As tradition demands, the young king will ride on horseback, with the Queen and Princess in their own carriages. The spectacular hour-plus parade features re-enactors, horses and carriages, community floats, marching bands and of course, the Easter Bunny. It begins at the Mission de Nombre de Dios on San Marco Avenue.
Parade Awards Party (7 p.m.) Join parade participants at the historic Queen Isabella’s Garden (the corner of Hypolita and St. George Streets) for the parade awards ceremony. Enjoy tasty traditional Menorcan treats in this celebration of outstanding parade winners.
FYI: Major parade sponsors include Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine, St. Augustine Easter Week Festival, the Bailey Group and Ayla’s Acres. 904-829-3800 or visit www.oldestcityeaster.org.
