Summertime Fireworks, Island Fun, History

Pictured above is historic Fort Clinch, Amelia Island, Florida.
Check out Amelia Island Living’s EVENTS CALENDAR for summertime events around the Amelia Island area.
Free music concerts, Sounds on Centre, are happening the first Friday night of each month in the historic district on Centre Street.

Fort Clinch State Park has living history re-enactments the first weekend of each month (and special candlelight tours of the fort the first Saturday evening each month). But anytime is worth a visit to Fort Clinch, this sprawling state park encompassing over 1,000 acres at the northern tip of Amelia Island. Fort Clinch offers beautiful beachfront, a fishing pier, picnic tables, hiking and biking trails, campground and the historic brick fortress. And it's a deal -- just $5 bucks a vehicle to enter the park and another $2 per person for a self-guided tour of the fort by day (candlelight tour is $3).

It wouldn’t be the 4th of July without fireworks, and the city of Fernandina is planning their fireworks display for 9:30-ish at Fernandina Harbor on the 4th. The luxury resorts, Ritz-Carlton and Amelia Island Plantation , traditionally feature fireworks displays along the beach on Amelia Island the evening of July 4th. Thousands of islanders will be on Amelia’s beachfront to see fireworks (and set off their own).

In Florida, fireworks are legal and you can buy fireworks at Walmart or the grocery store (no doubt that seems very odd to those who live in states where fireworks are illegal). Islanders will bring their beach blankets and chairs, picnics and more and make their annual Independence Day pilgrimage to the beachfront. No other evening of the year draws more crowds to the beaches of Amelia Island, than the 4th of July. HAPPY 4TH TO ALL!

Other things to do around the island this summer include....

Touring Amelia Island's art galleries the second Saturday evening each month, with Artrageous gallery walks. (Naturally, you can browse the galleries every day of the week during their regular operating hours.) The Amelia Island Art Association's large gallery that features many local artists is located in the historic district just off Centre Street. And don't miss Amelia Island's antique shops while you're visiting.

Evening ghost tours take place in the historic district (meet at the cemetery, call the Amelia Island Musuem for details and reservation). Got kids or grandkids? Play some putt putt golf oceanfront at Main Beach (I hear the milk shakes are great), or Island Falls on Sadler Road. Horseback riding on the beach is offered on the southend of the Island by Kelly Seahorse Ranch. Kayak Amelia offers paddling adventures in local waterways. The boating and fishing opportunities are great around Amelia Island, from sight-seeing boat tours, nature tours to charter fishing. Take the Cumberland Sound ferry between Fernandina Beach, Florida and St. Marys, Georgia for a scenic boat ride between these two coastal cities.

Tee off early at one of Amelia's fantastic golf courses, and finish the day at a luxury spa. The island's oceanfront golf resorts will not disappoint those seeking luxuries amenities.

For those who simply want to relax at the beach and spend little, just pack a picnic lunch for an inexpensive day at the beachfront in Fernandina Beach. Parking and the beaches are free (lifeguards are located at the larger beach parks on Amelia Island , Main Beach Park and Peter's Point, both offering restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic tables). Do be aware of potential rip currents -- look for the warning signs at beach entrances and take note of colored flags at the lifeguard chairs.


WBL