Happy Thursday, St. Augustine. We have an action-packed weekend ahead, so let’s get right to it.

In this week’s Old City Lowdown:

• St. Paddy’s Day in the Old City
• 38 more homes coming to Vilano?
• Events, Live Music, Local Gov’t & More

Thanks so much for being here. Hope you enjoy this week’s edition.

PS - We’d be grateful if you forwarded this email to a friend and followed us on Instagram and TikTok.

James Foote
Publisher | Old City Lowdown

NOTICES

Boil Water Notice for Vilano & North Beach | Beginning March 11, a boil water notice is in effect for Vilano & North Beach due to an equipment failure. If you live in the affected area, boil water for a minimum of one minute before cooking, drinking, etc. Boil water notices typically are in effect for a minimum of two days. Click here or call the Boil Water Notice Hotline at (904) 209-2731 for updated information.

America’s Oldest St. Paddy’s Day Celebration

Before Boston or New York ever thought to throw a parade, St. Augustine was already celebrating. The first recorded St. Patrick's Day in America took place here in 1600, with the first parade following in 1601.

That tradition continues this Saturday when the parade kicks off the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival. It's the only St. Patrick's Day parade in all of Northeast Florida, so don't miss it.

The 2026 St. Patrick’s Parade launches from Francis Field at 10:00am. Check out the parade route here.

Are you attending the St. Patrick's Parade this year?

Login or Subscribe to participate

FIELD REPORT

CONDITIONS:

Air Temp: Hi 78 | Lo 60

Humidity: 79% Precip: 70%

Winds: WSW 6-25mph / 36mph

Pressure: 29.98inHg

UV Index: 5

Sun: 7:39am↑, 7:32pm↓

Moon: 3:24am↑ , 1:22pm

Moonphase: Waning Crescent

Tides: 3:28am↑, 10:00am↓, 3:54pm↑, 9:55pm↓

Water Temp: 63-65

Water: A front pushing through will leave the Atlantic unsettled Thursday, with seas 5–7 feet nearshore, and showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.

Land: The passing front may ground northbound migrant birds along the coast. Worth a dawn walk through the coastal hammocks Thursday morning.

Sky: Venus climbs higher in the west each night after sunset while Jupiter burns bright high in the south among the stars of Gemini.

BULLETIN

Deal: Making Space Sale at Snake Bird Vintage, Mar 14-15

Pets: Dutton needs a ranch… or any loving home

Property: 2350 N. Ponce, at your service

Sightings: Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

FROM THE LEDGER

38-Home Development in Planning Stages on Vilano
According to the Jacksonville Business Journal, a pre-application is moving through St. Johns County for a project on 17 acres near North Shores Community Park and Mussallem Park. The proposal includes dozens of homes and a small retail component. The county's Development Review Committee weighs in April 1, and we'll continue to keep an eye on this. Read More ($)

County Eyes New Ponte Vedra Beach Access
Two beachfront parcels formerly owned by the now defunct Serenata Beach Club could become public beach access points in Ponte Vedra Beach. The lender that inherited the land through bankruptcy is willing to donate both parcels in exchange for a zoning change allowing a single-family home to be built on each lot. Nearby homeowners are raising red flags over parking and A1A traffic safety, and commissioners have asked staff to dig deeper on traffic, funding, and whether buying the southern parcel outright makes more sense. Read More

Birthing Center Coming to CR 210 Campus
Ascension St. Vincent's is proposing a 28,000-square-foot birthing center at its Fountains at St. Johns medical campus near I-95 and CR 210, offering private labor, delivery, and postpartum suites along with around-the-clock obstetric emergency care. The expansion is under review by St. Johns County and heads to the Development Review Committee on April 1. Read More

FOOTNOTES

Goodbye to Back 40 Urban Cafe on Old Moultrie ($)

• District 2 Commissioner Sarah Arnold gets a side gig

Irish History Exhibit now open at the Visitor Information Center

New shops coming to Longleaf Pine Parkway ($)

• City to host inaugural Community Table event

SOCIAL

FEATURED EVENT

All Paws On Deck: Benefitting Swamp Haven

Mar 15 | 12-4pm | 123 San Marco Ave

Are you and your pup ready to PARTY for a good cause?! All Paws on Deck is a pup focused event benefitting the incredible Swamp Haven.

• Arts & Crafts for your pup
• Doggie focused vendors
• Adoptable pups
• Drinks, food & more

MULTI-DAY EVENTS

🍀 St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival | Mar 14-15 | Francis Field | Tickets & Info

🎵 NOBFEST 14 | Mar 11-15 | Nobby’s | Info

St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival | Mar 14-15 | St. Augustine Beach Pier

All the Devils Shakespeare: Lysistrata | Mar 14 & 15, 5pm | Treaty Park

The Players Championship | Thru Mar 15 | TPC Sawgrass

A Classic Theatre presents: Pen Pals | Mar 13-15 | The Waterworks | Tickets

God of Carnage | Mar 12-14 | Limelight Theatre | Tickets

Cirque de Paris | thru Mar 15 | St. Augustine Premium Outlets | Info

THURSDAY 12TH

FOL Presents: Steel Rails to the Sunshine State | The Waterworks | 6-7pm | Info

🎵 Angel Chantel & Underbrush | Prohibition Kitchen | 6-9pm

🎵 Tracy Lawrence | Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | 8pm | Tickets

🎵 Kaki King | Cafe Eleven | 8pm | Tickets

FRIDAY 13TH

Hornski’s 1-Year Anniversary | Hornski’s Brewing Co. | 6-12pm | Info

🎵 The Collective | Prohibition Kitchen | 6-9pm

🎵 St. Augustine Orchestra Winter Concert | Tocoi Creek High School | 7:30-9pm | Tickets

Classic Comedy Night | Third Space Improv | 8pm | Info

🤘 🎵 The Smiths (Robert) | Spinster Abbott’s | 8pm | Info

🎵 Nattali Rize | Cafe Eleven | 8pm | Tickets

🎵 Chillula | Prohibition Kitchen | 10pm

SATURDAY 14TH

Pancakes & Pucks for Paws | Applebee’s St. Aug | 8am | Register

The Amp Farmers Market | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | 8:30am-12:30pm

Family Seining at GTM Reserve | Guana | 9-11am | Info

🍀 St. Augustine St. Patrick’s Day Parade | Downtown | 10am | Info

Intro to Stand-Up Community Comedy | Third Space Improv | 10am | Info

Menorcan Heritage Celebration | Llambas House | 11am-2pm | Info

🎵 Dewey Via Band | Dog Rose Brewing | 3:30-6:30pm

St. Augustine Pipe Band & Celtic Festival Afterparty | Wobbly Whale | 6pm

🎵 House Cats | Prohibition Kitchen | 6-9pm

🎵 Hannah Stokes, Helena Holleran, Lauren Woodall | Spinster Abbott’s | 7pm

🎵 Papercutt | Colonial Oak | 7pm | Tickets

🎵 Robert Earl Keen | Ponte Vedra Concert Hall | 8pm | Tickets

🎵 Rik Jam w/ Dalwayne | Cafe Eleven | 8pm | Tickets

🎵 Dharma | Prohibition Kitchen | 10pm

SUNDAY 15TH

Farmers Market at the Classic Car Museum | St. Augustine Shores | 10am-2pm

All Paws on Deck: Benefitting Swamp Haven | Boat Drinks | 12-4pm | Info

Pop-Up Market + DJ Sasha Bloom | Spinster Abbott’s | 12-4pm

🎵 Wes Register | Prohibition Kitchen | 2pm

🎵 Pili Pili | Prohibition Kitchen | 6pm

🎵 MercyMe | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | 7pm | SOLD OUT

🎤 Zane Helberg | Cafe Eleven | 8pm | Tickets

UPCOMING

Muggsy’s 3rd Anniversary | Muggsy’s | Info

West King Market | Mar 18 | 5-8pm | Info

Ancient City Pro Rodeo | Mar 20-22 | Info

St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival | Mar 21-22 | Info

Vilano Bridge 5k/10k | Mar 28 | Info

She wore a raspberry beret; the kind you find in a second-hand store

— Prince Rogers Nelson

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