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Parading Around Amelia Island

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

Honor guard leads homecoming parade

November yielded two parades recently, one for homecoming at Fernandina Beach High School and the other for Veterans Day. They both had patriotic starts and lots of local residents, businesses and associations represented. It’s always enjoyable to see so many local residents line the streets with children to enjoy the sights, greet other people they know, receive some free candy or beads and just generally enjoy the nice fall weather with temps in the 70′s. The local high school mascot name is the “pirates” which is fitting for an island that had pirates during much of its early history. Of course we have pirate clubs here and they usually join the parade including their pirate ship on wheels that fires cannon and pistols just to create some excitement and energy for the observers. Fire engines, police cars, local elected officials and of course the pageant or homecoming queen also get to participate. It was great to see our men in uniform honored at both the homecoming parade and the veteran’s parade. As I often tell guests, Amelia Island is small town America at its best and we do enjoy the frequent parades that remind us all of community and the special group or occasion being honored.

Hot rods join the parade

Uncle Sam inflates for the parade

Ahoy matey!

More pirates join the parade

Patriotic vehicles adorn parade

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, parades
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Sounds on Centre Street on Amelia Island

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

The stage and stars for centre street concert

During the summer , a free concert is presented downtown between second and front streets the first Friday of each month. A variety of local talent is brought in and performs for a crowd gathered in downtown to just kickback, relax and enjoy some fun music and dancing! Presented by the local business community this event keeps bringing in larger and larger crowds to enjoy the summer fun!

They're dancing on centre street

Announcing the fun

Yes there is fun and food!

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, centre street, Guest Experiences
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Williams House Guests Enjoy Amelia Island Shrimp Festival

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Crowds line center street for Shrimpfest

Locals and guests alike enjoy the Isle of Eight Flags annual Shrimp Festival held the first weekend of May. This year the weather was fantastic with highs in the mid to upper eighties, but with a nice breeze both days to keep the heat and humidity in check. Exhibitors looked about equal to last year and crowds seemed a little larger than last year. There were plenty of food booths with great variety from hot dogs to shrimp pie, lemonade, fries, corn dogs, shaved ice and my personal favorite, funnel cakes. Art came in all varieties from sculptor to painting, glassware, jelwery, pottery, apparel, toys, garden items, antiques, wood carving, whirlygigs, and much more. (more…)

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences, shrimp festival
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Shrimp Festival Parade on Amelia Island

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Pirate's ship complete with cannon bring up the rear at Shrimp Parade

Arrg matey! Welcome to the 2010 Amelia Island Shrimp Festival! Held the first weekend in May each year, the festival began as usual on Thursday with the parade. This year definitely topped the record by our count with an hour and 20 minutes to get all the floats and parade members through the process. It seems like every year more businesses and people participate and that increases the fun and excitement. People began lining the street outside our Inn an hour before the parade and by the start time it was standing room only. For our guests, it was mostly on the porches with a comfortable relaxing beverage in hand for the really big show. Shrimp appeared in every imaginable form, pirates joined in the fun, cars old and new drove thru, all types of police and fire vehicles, dance groups, bands, and ordinary folks gave the parade its unique small town feel. Candy and beads were distributed to kids and grownups alike and by the time the parade was over everyone was ready for the festival to get underway. I’ve attached photos for your viewing pleasure. (more…)

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, local attractions, shrimp festival
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Cookie Tour Delights

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Williams House dressed for Holidays

This past Saturday was our annual Bed & Breakfast Cookie Tour. All the Inns in our association decorate for Christmas and offer cookies of their choice and recipes that visitors can take home. We also had Amelia Island Carriages provided rides between the Inns and the Library. It was a good day weather wise with temps in the low 70″s and we had a good crowd estimated at about 350 for the four hour tour period. Deborah served a fruit cake cookie and apple cider for refreshments and guests toured 7 of our 10 guest rooms. We begin decorating the first of November and finished Wednesday of this week, so it takes several weeks to put everything out and in its place. Every room gets a christmas tree of some type and there are two in the common areas. Garland drapes door frames and the outside porches and arge red bows abound. It is a great way for everyone to get in the mood for the holidays and start thinking about decorations if they haven’t begun yet. If you missed it this year, plan to come in 2010!

Guests enjoy the Christmas spirit

Cinnamon waits for cat friendly visitors

Deborah, Byron, Jami, & Danielle ready for cookie tour

Porch swing with Christmas pillows

Decorated dining room

Main staircase

Parlor fireplace decorations

Deborah shares Williams House history with visitors

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences
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Fernandina Honors Veterans

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Honor Guard leads Veterans Day Parade

As I have said before we love parades here in Fernandina, and what better parade is there than one honoring our veterans. It was another great fall day with above normal temperatures and it brought out many of our locals to both participate in and cheer on our veterans. Families lined the streets and police, fire and all manner of uniformed services marched. I love to see the American flag being honored and remember how many photos from wars show our military raising the flag in victory. It is hard to really fathom how many have sacrificed their lives for our country and all of us are living in a free and democaratic country because of their belief, sacrifice and valour. Thanks to all our service personnel both past, present and future and their dedicated efforts to keep us safe and secure. I hope you enjoy these photos!

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Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Fernandina Beach, parades
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Fernandina Beach Homecoming Parade

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Police & Fire vehicles lead parade

We love a good parade in Fernandina Beach and almost any excuse will do to have one. Last week it was the local high school homecoming parade complete with homecoming queen and court, football players, and local supporters of the high school team. As always youngsters lined the streets and plenty of candy was given out as a prelude for the trick or treating action coming soon. It was a beautiful sunny day with near record temps!

Cheerleaders lead the way

Football team gets a lift

Pirate ships remind us of Fernandina's history

An old car joins the parade

Pirate float ends the parade

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Fernandina Beach, Guest Experiences
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Cars, Cars, and More Cars

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

One Beautiful Car

The annual Amelia Cruisers car show was held last weekend under clear skies and cool temps (that’s 65 degrees) in downtown Fernandina. The streets were closed to traffic and a superb lineup of restored and specialty cars/trucks/fire engines/dragsters, etc. were put on display. Its hard to imagine the total combined hours of work all these owners put into the restoration and make-overs of these historic cars. The collection varied from a Volkswagen beetle to RollsRoyce and everything in between.

A restored fire engine

Crowds were good and everyone was impressed by the quality of the restorations and the variety of cars represented. Most of our weekend guests visited the display and found it to be enjoyable even if they weren’t hard core car folks. One was tempted to buy one of the cars from his youth but regained control of his wallet with help from a spouse. We definitely relate to the hard work of restoring and maintaining something historical as we do it nearly every day in maintaining a 152 year old house. It’s hard work but rewarding when a part of history is maintained. Attached are a series of pictures from the wonderful cars on display. Enjoy!

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Fernandina Beach, local attractions
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July 4 Parade

Monday, July 6th, 2009

Fire trucks lead the July 4th Parade

One thing we like about Fernandina Beach is the small town atmosphere that includes parades on a fairly frequent basis with local participants. It had to be difficult getting people to join a parade on this holiday, but some how they made it happen. We always enjoy sitting on the Williams House proches for a front row view of the events.

Stars & Stripes and Liberty highlight parade

It’s always a good thing on these special holidays to remember how dearly our freedom has been paid for from the early days of America’s revolution to the fighting today to be free of terrorists. We are always grateful for the sacrifices so many have paid for the continuation of this amazing country and its unique position in the world.

An old car drives in the parade

Cannons roar on the old pirate ship

What better way to have fun as a family than to come downtown on a holiday and watch a parade especially when it has a pirates ship with real cannon (although only 2 feet long).

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Fernandina Beach, Guest Experiences, parades
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Mad Hatter Tea Party & B&B Tour

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Mad Hatter Tour at the Williams House

On May 9, the Amelia Island Bed & Breakfast Association held its spring tour and Mad Hatter tea party. All seven member Inns were decorated in honor of Mother’s Day and innkeepers wore a variety of hats. At the Williams House Owner’s and Staff also dressed in period costume, including hats to help visitors feel they were stepping back in time. The dining room was set for a tea party and and bedrooms were on view for visitors. After touring, guests could enjoy punch and cookies in the courtyard in the shade of our 600 year old live oak. It was definitely needed as the thermostat hung at about 90 degrees, unseasonably warm for early May in northeast Florida. All tour visitors that wore hats were eligible for a drawing that will include free stays at the B&B’s, eco-tours, and dinners. We got some pretty wild hats and many are attached for your enjoyment. The next tour is a cookie tour on November 21, the weekend before Thanksgiving. All the B&B’s will be dressed up for Christmas and great cookies (including recipes) will be avialable. Come and join us for a fun weekend!

Hats on parade at the Mad Hatter Tour

Ladies and hats at the Williams House tour.

Dressed for Mad Hatter Touring

Mindy and Larry Williams, Danielle and Deborah ready to recieve guests for the tour.

Williams House Dining Room Set for Tea

Deborah sets the dining room as she does for special teas.

Danielle and her mother on the Williams House Swing

Dressed like they would in the late 1800′s in the William’s time period.

Refreshments in the Courtyard

Cookies andpunch on a warm May day.

Some of the most unusual hats!

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, tea party, tours
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Amelia Island Williams House, Florida Bed and Breakfast