Amelia Island

by W. Patrick McSweeney

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Roughly the same size as Manhattan, but worlds apart, Amelia Island is 13 miles long and 2 miles at its widest. It has a year-round population of only 10,500. It is the only place in America claimed under eight different flags. 

The locals like to say "the French visited, the Spanish developed, the English named and the Americans tamed." 

Located off the northeast tip of Florida, Amelia Island is largely undeveloped - with sand dunes up to 40 feet tall, an 1100-acre state park at its north end and a state recreation area on its south end and an authentic Victorian fishing village and historic harborfront. 

With a natural deep-water harbor, Amelia Island became a key port early in its history - a favorite for traders as well as pirates. By the late 1800s, it was called "Queen of the Summer Resorts." 

But as travelers forsook steamships for railroads and destinations further south (St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Palm Beach, Miami and Key West), they forgot about Amelia. 

This ended up being a giant blessing as a 52-block area of the island's only town (Fernandina Beach) was preserved. Today, more than 450 structures in the historic district are listed on the National Register. In fact, Amelia Island was named one of a "dozen distinctive destinations" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2002. 

The island remains a favorite 'unknown' getaway. It has three oceanfront resorts (Ritz-Carlton, Summer Beach, Amelia Island Plantation), several moderately priced hotels/motels, several family-owned hotels, as well as condos and beach rentals. Many groups and families find it the perfect location for reunions and special events. Eight bed & breakfast inns provide a romantic destination for couples.

For more information, go to the island's official Web site, www.ameliaisland.org. 

Here is some information about upcoming events this Spring:

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. - Sometimes you need to look in unexpected places to find what you're looking for. Vacationers seeking a relaxing vacation with the finer things in life will find them by looking off the beaten path to Amelia Island. In addition to 13 miles of shell-strewn Appalachian quartz sand beach, 117 holes of golf, dozens of tennis courts, quaint shops, Victorian bed & breakfast inns and luxury oceanfront resorts, they'll find rare and one-of-a-kind classic automobiles, an epicurean's fantasy of family owned and operated restaurants serving the freshest seafood, and the sweet sounds of some of the Great Masters' finest works filling the air. 

Fine Cars

Tickets went on sale earlier this month for the eighth annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, held on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The event, already one of the top classic automobile shows in the country, features more than 250 rare cars from seldom seen private collections nationwide and is expected to be a sell-out. Chaparral designer and racing legend Jim Hall is this year's honorary chairman. The event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Corvette as well as Buick's 100 years in business. 

One of the highlights of this year's Concours will be the reunion of the five Grand Sport Corvettes built secretly by Chevrolet in 1963. It will be first time the three coupes and two roadsters have been together since they were built to race against Carroll Shelby's Ford-powered Cobras. 

The festivities begin on Friday, March 7 with a poker-style road tour featuring lunch at White Oak Plantation, the nation's largest, private, endangered animal preserve. Drivers collect one playing card at each tour stop with the best poker hand winning the day. The annual classic car auction is on Saturday, March 8, where $13 million in vintage autos were sold last year. 

Gates open for the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance vintage car show at 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 9. Cars will remain on display until 4:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for children 12 - 18. Children under 12 are free. For more information, visit www.ameliaconcours.org. 

Fine Food

Amelia Island celebrates its history as the only place in America claimed under eight flags and as the "birthplace of modern shrimping industry" on the first weekend of May every year. This year's 40th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival will be held May 2, 3, & 4, 2003 in the historic downtown area of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida. The festival kicks off on Thursday, May 1st at 6:00 p.m., with the Annual Pirate Parade. Festival hours are Friday, May 2: 5-10 p.m., Saturday, May 3: 9 a.m. -6 p.m., and Sunday, May 4: 10 a.m. -5 p.m. 

The 40th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival features: 

• Food ... Shrimp and Seafood dishes abound - all prepared with local flair and flavor, by those who live in and around Fernandina Beach. Forrest Gump would be proud!  
• Fine Arts and Crafts Show... more than 300 award winning juried artists and craftspeople from around the nation offer first-rate creations in Watercolor, Acrylics, Oils; Sculpture in Clay, Metal, Wood & Fiber; Photography, Pottery, Plants, Jewelry, Baskets, Glass and more! Awarded one of the Top 200 Outdoor Festivals in the United States by Sunshine Artist Magazine.  
• Antiques ... with an excellent showing of fine antiques and unique collectibles, including furniture, depression glass, jewelry, crystal, coins, tools, and more.  · Waterfront Activities ... see the Pirates as they "invade" the festival on Friday evening (followed by fireworks) and again on Saturday afternoon. The Blessing of the Fleet and Best Decorated Shrimp Boat takes place on Sunday afternoon. Tour the Georgia Bulldog, a working shrimp boat that is also a research vessel from the University of Georgia.  
• Music ... with regional acts and local entertainment offer something for the entire family: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Beach Music, Folk, Country, and Big Band. The South's favorite party band, The Swingin' Medallions, will entertain Sunday afternoon 2-5 p.m.  
• Family Fun ... the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is the finest of family fun in a casual wholesome environment. This free admission, non-alcohol event offers a variety of entertainment for all ages, including a Fun Zone geared toward the younger crowd. Join in the YMCA 5K Run or dress up like a pirate for the Best Dress Adult Pirate or Little Pirate Contests. There is something for everyone! 

The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival was recognized as one of Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 May Events in 2002. For more information, call toll free 1 866 4AMELIA (426-3542) or visit online at www.shrimpfestival.com . 

Fine Music

Believing that you can't get too much of a good thing, organizers for the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival are building on their initial success. The inaugural Festival last June saw all 16 concerts sell out even before the festival began. So they're planning a three-week long festival scheduled this year for June 1-22. 

The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival earned high marks for presenting chamber music in a fresh light, debuting to rave reviews. It featured internationally famous artists performing in intimate, historic settings including a barracks at Civil War-era Fort Clinch and inside the Palace Saloon, which opened in 1878 and is believed to be the oldest continuously operated saloon in Florida. 

Two concerts were held in the Palace, one involving tango dancers on the hand-carved mahogany bar. The saloon series was titled "BEER & G-STRINGS" with the tango inspired concert dubbed "Dirty Dancing." Concerts also were held in several other venues in the 52-block historic district of Fernandina Beach.

Christopher Rex, principal cellist for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and festival's Artistic Director, and festival volunteers almost immediately began planning for 2003. Those plans include more moderately priced and free concerts during the 21-day concert series. In keeping with the Festival's artistic vision, world-renowned musicians will again fill this Victorian village with music. 

Returning to repeat last year's success with Rex will be star artists Lynn Harrell, Hilary Hahn, and Valentina Lisitsa. Other internationally respected headliners Andre Watts, Donald Runnicles, Robert McDuffie, the Takacs Quartet, the Guarneri Quartet, David Shiffrin, Jimmy Lin, and the New York Philharmonic Brass Quintet are expected to perform at the 2003 Festival. The Festival will also present a concert featuring the current Van Cliburn Medalist, Antonio Pampabaldi. 

For more information on the 2003 Festival, call (904) 261-1779 or visit the Festival's Web site, www.ameliaislandchambermusic.org 

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W. Patrick McSweeney  is the Senior Account Executive at St. John & Partners Advertising & Public Relations  in Jacksonville, FL 32256  (904) 596-2085 office  
(904) 281-0030 fax  (904) 923-4871 wireless

Background of all Florida pages is from Lee Island Coast.