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St. Augustine Beach gives consensus to join America 250 celebration planning
Summary
A representative of the Mariah Jefferson Daughters of the American Revolution asked the commission to participate in America 250 activities; commissioners expressed consensus to partner and asked staff to place discussion on a future agenda to consider level of city involvement.
Deborah Janolius, regent of the Mariah Jefferson chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, asked the City Commission on Jan. 6, 2025, to join local partners in planning events for America 250, the federal semiquincentennial observance culminating on July 4, 2026.
Janolius described a coordinating committee that includes local historic and cultural organizations — St. Johns County, the City of St. Augustine, Flagler College, Fort Mose, the St. Augustine Historical Society, the Oldest House Museum, the Women's Exchange, the Lighthouse, Colonial Dames, and the St. Augustine Sons of the American Revolution — and preliminary events such as a Battlefield Trust exhibit (Jan. 31–Feb. 20 at the Oldest House Museum), a Liberty Tree dedication on Feb. 8, 2025, a golf tournament on April 26, 2025, lecture series in 2026, and proposed concerts and family activities in July 2026.
Janolius suggested ways St. Augustine Beach could participate including banner flags along A1A and at beach entrances, a Fourth of July parade, a patriotic concert at the pier, and possible events at the AMP. Commissioners expressed support and granted consensus to partner; several asked staff to coordinate logistics and to put a future agenda item on the commission calendar to discuss forming a liaison committee or deciding an appropriate level of city involvement.
Mayor and staff said the committee will provide contact information and that the city could be added as a partner on the America 250 website. No formal motion or financial commitment was made at the meeting; commissioners requested staff follow-up and scheduling for further discussion.
