Saint Augustine Beach Civic Association marks 45 years, cites 1,300 events and $4 million economic impact

During a Monday morning interview, Mayor Dylan Rumrill and Bill Jones, president of the Saint Augustine Beach Civic Association, discussed the association’s 45th anniversary and its volunteer-run community events.

The Civic Association was formed 45 years ago and has since shifted from a government-watchdog role toward organizing local events, Jones said. “We created the farmer’s market,” he said, adding that the group also founded a Wednesday concert series and the Taste of the Beach that benefited the Betty Griffin House.

Jones said the association has produced about 1,300 events over the last 25 years, logged more than 16,000 volunteer hours and generated “over $4,000,000 in the economic impact” to the community in the last 20 years. He described the group as all-volunteer and cited membership dues of $20 a year for individuals and $30 for a business or family, plus a local discount card launched in 2007 to encourage off-season spending.

Jones recounted the concert series’ origins: an early event with a three-piece band, a Coleman stove and about 30 patrons that grew into a program that now averages about 13 shows a year. “If the weather is good, our attendance is anywhere from 800 to 1,200 people,” he said.

The interview included informal remarks from Mayor Dylan Rumrill introducing Jones and the association. Jones emphasized continued volunteer recruiting: “We’re always looking for volunteers,” and added, “we lose money on every member. That’s our mantra.”

No formal city action, vote or policy change related to the association was discussed or took place during the interview. The Civic Association’s programs and fundraising claims were presented by Jones; the transcript does not provide independent verification of the economic figures cited.

Jones said the group is celebrating its anniversary and seeking new volunteers and members to sustain its events and local partnerships.