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Week 
Day April 2013
About the Department of State’s Special Viva Florida 500 Week Exhibit, April 4-6
Florida Archives
Some of Florida’s most historical documents that are rarely made available for public viewing will be on display from April 4-6, 2013, in the Department of State’s Museum of Florida History. These documents include Florida’s original 1838 Constitution and a 1586 map of Sir Francis Drake’s West Indian voyage.
Museum of Florida History and Conservation Lab Tours
The Department of State’s Museum of Florida History will be offering tours April 4-6 of its new permanent exhibitForever Changed, La Florida, 1513-1821, a wide-ranging exhibit highlighting the Native American and Spanish colonial history. The Department of State’s Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research will also be offering behind-the-scenes tours of its conservation lab, which is responsible for the stabilization and preservation of archaeological objects excavated from state land and waters. The lab tours will showcase artifacts encountered on Florida’s archaeological sites, which range from prehistoric canoes and projectile points to Spanish shipwreck materials.
For more information about these exhibits and tours, call 850.245.6400 or go to www.museumoffloridahistory.com
Other Statewide Viva Florida 500 Week Events
Monday, April 1
Art Works of the Centennial (Port Orange) – Enjoy the final day of artwork on display highlighting local Port Orange artists and showcasing historic landmarks, buildings and beautiful landscapes. Visit www.port-orange.org
Viva Florida 500 Art Display (Fort Lauderdale) – The beauty of the sea and life below Earth’s surface is nature’s art. Fort Lauderdale artist Susan Clifton merges nature’s beauty with graphics in her nine works of mixed media on canvas. Visit www.broward.org/library
Viva Pensacola JazzFest 2013 (Pensacola) – This will be the biggest and most exciting Jazz Festival in Pensacola’s history to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Pensacola JazzFest! This seven-day event, scheduled from April 1 through 7, 2013, is designed to be a city-wide celebration, with music in a variety of venues. Visit http://jazzpensacola.com
Tuesday, April 2
V Centennial Celebration of the Discovery (Melbourne Beach) – In celebration of Juan Ponce de Leόn’s arrival on Florida’s shore 500 years ago, the United Third Bridge, Inc. and The Florida Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Inc. have organized an array of events beginning April 2, and lasting for 3 days. The week includes Mass at Immaculate Conception Church conducted by Father Joseph A. Nolan and dedication of a statue of Juan Ponce de León. Visit www.utbunitedthirdbridge.com/
Discovering Nature’s Favorite Designs at Spanish Point (Osprey) – Nan Summers with the Discovering Nature’s Favorite Designs Workshop in the Butterfly Garden at Historic Spanish Point will lead a discussion in celebration of La Florida, meaning the “land of flowers,” along with a special tour of Mrs. Palmer’s formal gardens guided by horticulturist Nancy Paul. Visit www.historicspanishpoint.org
Florida 500 Fine Art Juried Exhibition (Melbourne Beach) – A juried art exhibition will be judged by Paul Wenzel, public art coordinator for the City of Orlando. The show opens for public viewing at the Melbourne Beach Library April 2, 2013. Visit www.strawbridgeartleague.org
Ponce de León 30o – 8’ Celebration (Ponte Vedra) – At noon on April 2, 1513, it is believed by many that Ponce de León’s navigators logged their ship’s position at 30 degrees 8 minutes, just north of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve’s boundaries. In honor of this legendary event, the GTM Research Reserve will unveil the new Ponce Exhibit, an educational display at their North Beach Access. Visit www.gtmnerr308ponce.
Wednesday, April 3
Juan Ponce de León Commemorative Re-enactment & Mass (St. Augustine) – Watch the re-enactment of Ponce de León’s momentous landing along historic downtown St. Augustine followed by a special Catholic Mass conducted at the Cathedral Basilica, of which many church leadership will be presiding. An exact replica of the baptismal font in which Ponce was baptized will be installed in the Cathedral Basilica, to serve as a functional baptismal font for the church. Visit www.staugustine-450.com
U.S. Postal Service Unveiling of La Florida Commemorative Stamp (St. Augustine) – The U.S. Postal Service will unveil the new La Florida forever stamp. The stamp commemorates the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Florida. Visit www.staugustine-450.com
Thursday, April 4
African American History & Culture: Viva Florida 500 Series (Daytona Beach) – The third of five lectures in a series will help audiences gain a better understanding of how descendants of the African Diaspora contributed to the development of Florida. Visit www.rileymuseum.org
Stories of Florida – Con Sabor! (Fort Lauderdale) – Our stories have never been the same since Ponce de Leόn first arrived on our shores in 1513. Flowing seamlessly between Spanish and English, Carrie Su Ayvar chooses from her large repertoire of personal, historical and traditional Florida tales to connect the people and cultures of Florida, con un poquito de sabor Latino - with a little bit of Latin flavor. Visit www.broward.org/library
The Native Plant Show (Kissimmee) – Florida’s first all-native plant wholesale trade show will feature nearly 40 Florida plant growers from all over the state. The show provides three award-winning, native demonstration landscapes for Central, North and South Florida; two days of professional continuing education courses in the selection and use of native plants and a University of Florida research symposium on the growing and planting of native wildflowers. Visit www.nativeplantshow.com
Friday, April 5
Springtime Tallahassee (Tallahassee) – Experience true Southern hospitality with one of the largest and most celebrated parades in the southeast. Enjoy local entertainment and national entertainment acts. The weekend includes: Downtown Getdown on Friday Night at 6:00 p.m.; Springtime 10K / 5K and 1 Mile at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday; and Grand Parade at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Visit www.springtimetallahassee.com
New Smyrna Beach Balloon & Sky Fest (New Smyrna Beach) – The Balloon & Sky Fest, themed “The Light of Discovery” for 2013, is set for the fifth time at the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport on April 5-7, 2013. Located next to the 128-year-old landmark bearing the name of Florida’s discoverer, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, The Light of Discovery will shine on the thousands of people who stream through the entrance gates all weekend long, proudly commemorating 500 years of history in Florida. Visit www.seasideballoonfest.com
Saturday, April 6
Puerto Rico Discovers Florida Again (Tampa) – Symposium featuring the sale of 100% manufactured Puerto Rican products on April 6 at the WYNDHAM Hotel Tampa, welcoming and recognizing the new Domestic Trade agreement between Florida and Puerto Rico. The day will commemorate Florida’s accomplishments old and new by focusing on the discovery of Florida by Juan Ponce de Leόn, Puerto Rico’s first Governor. Visit www.PuertoRicanChamberofFlorida.
Playing Sherlock Holmes with St. Augustine History (St. Augustine) – Join noted historian and author, David Nolan, as he covers the last 35 years he has spent exploring the lesser-known byways of our past and uncovering hitherto unknown homes of Civil War generals, famous authors and important figures in civil rights history in Florida. Visit www.sjcpls.org
Calusa Stories and Kayak Lessons (Fort Myers Beach) – Experience an introductory lesson into kayaking paired with stories and exhibits of the native Calusa tribe of Florida. Join the volunteer staff on a tour of the grounds and underground exhibit at the Mound House. Visit www.moundhouse.org
Viva Florida 500 Author Program (St. Pete Beach) – Author talk and book signing with Donald H. Thompson and Carol Thompson, regarding Egmont Key: A History. Visit www.pplc.us/vivaflorida2012.
17th Annual Miami Riverday (Miami) – The free 17th annual Miami Riverday celebrates the unique heritage, culture and natural environment of the historic and widely-used Miami River. Come enjoy free Miami River boat rides, live music, historic re-enactments in the 1844 Fort Dallas and the 1856 Wagner Homestead, environmental education, children activities and much more. Visit www.miamirivercommission.org
1513 The Ponce de León Landing First Contact (Ponte Vedra Beach) – On Saturday, April 6, 2013, the legendary Conquistador Ponce de Leόn will land his expedition at the Guana Reserve. The event will involve Ponce de Leόn’s modern re-enactment boat landing, historical activities, and black powder demonstrations. Visit www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/
To read more about Viva Florida 500, click here.
For a complete list of Viva Florida 500 events, visit the events calendar at www.VivaFlorida.org.
