The new pair of lions is from the same family of Medici lions found at the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence, Italy as the Bridge’s existing lions. The lions are made out of granite to ensure durability and will be installed on the east side of the Bridge of Lions in Davis Park. The unveiling will be presented to the city and its residents.
Local community members Wolfgang and Miki Schau personally commissioned the new lions and have been working with a local team since April of 2014. “With the Lions, we want to express our love to the city of St. Augustine as we express our love to each other. More details about this love story may be disclosed during the unveiling” said Wolfgang.
Hesitant to name themselves as the donors, Mr. Schau served as a member of Visioning 2014 & Beyond, the city of St. Augustine’s visioning initiative steering committee, and he and his wife are active residents in their neighborhood when not traveling the world.
Businesses along Anastasia Boulevard will be participating in the celebration by remaining open and contributing to the festive environment from 4 to 8 p.m. Black Fly has a “Lion Fish” special, Puddy Mud is offering paint your own pottery for kids, and Candle Light South is having a Beer Tasting. Business owners and residents are excited and supportive of the new additions and view the installation as an opportunity to spotlight the initiative to improve Anastasia Boulevard and develop the area’s unique identity.
Parking is available at Blue Water Jewelers and transportation to the ceremony site will be provided from that parking lot and other places on the boulevard by Old Town Trolley Tours at no charge. Pre-ceremony festivities will begin at Blue Water Jewelers with a special Open House from 4-5:30 p.m. and at Puddy Mud starting at 2 p.m.
Click here for an interactive map of Thursday’s BLVD celebrations. For more information and to keep up with happenings along Anastasia Boulevard, visit the “The BLVD” Facebook page.
