Posts Tagged ‘Amelia Island Activities’

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Amelia Island Shop Brings Art&Color to Fernandina Beach

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

We always enjoy seeing new shops open in downtown Fernandina Beach and North Third Trading, located at 13 North Third St. is no exception.  Featuring booths from numerous local artists and craftsmen there is something for everyone.  From humorous and silly to artistic and serious, many selections are there to temp everyone’s taste in Island inspired artworks.  One of their specialties is flamingo related art work, which Deborah collects from time to time (more than 200 items so far).  Soo we had to spend a bit of time surveying the various booths.  Owners Robert and Iris Lannon are going to be adding yard art to their shop in the spring as well.  It’s another interesting and unique shop for gests of the Williams House to explore and enjoy.

Colorful displays within North 3rd Trading

 

Another interesting booth

 

Fun items abound

 

Main register at North 3rd

 

Flamingos and Fernandina Beach

 

More flamingo art

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Family Visitation – Fun in Fernandina Beach

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Byron’s son,  daughter in-law and daughter visited recently and we were delighted to have one of those good winter weeks with temps in the sixties.  Byron and Tim played golf one day, and then we all acted liked tourists and enjoyed a carriage ride, strolling the city, eating at local restaurants and shopping.  We tryed to take a river cruise, but not enough people signed up so we got to walk some more after looking around the marina.  It’s aways good to see family and friends and share some of this beautiful island and setting.

Tim enjoys Amelia River golf course

Julie, Tim and wife Casey enjoy marina

Birds enjoy the marina

Everyone meets Cindy and her carriage horse Zig

Marina view near sunset

Lulu's restaurant

Bailey house from carriage tour

Fernandina Beach art shoppe

 

Byron,Kasey,Deborah and Julie enjoy downtown

 

Group shot on Williams House porch

 

A favorite lunch spot

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Christmas at the Williams House

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Christmas at the Williams House is always a fun and exciting time as we get to enjoy three night stays with our guests and share carriage rides, extended wine hour and a Christmas day buffet.  This year we also added a light dinner to tide guests over into Christmas night.  The weather cooperated well with resonable temperatures and no rain for Christmas eve carriage rides and wine hour.  The same on Christmas day although a little on the cool side. 

Christmas eve wine hour included meatballs, various cookies, cheeses,cheese biscuits, wine and soft drinks.  Christmas buffet included ham, unforgettable chicken caserole, brocoli salad, sweet potato casserole, rolls, hashbrown casserole, squash casserole, lemon cake, pecan pie, cherry pie and wines, soft drinks and tea.  It was delicious and guests seemed to enjoy.  Later in the evening Deborah served turkey chilli for those who didn’t quite get enough in the buffet.  It was a fun and relaxing time for guests and a chance for them to meet some new people as well as Deborah and Byron.

Christmas eve wine hour

Christmas eve treats

Jazz the carriage horse greets guests

Guests enjoy Christmas eve ride

Guests enjoy wine hour

More carriage riders

wine hour fun

Christmas day buffet

Guests enjoy buffet

Desserts await guests

Guests enjoy buffet

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Boomer Carries Williams House Guests through Historic Fernandina

Friday, January 14th, 2011

We can always tell what winter will be like here on Amelia Island by how much fur Boomer the carriage horse grows as winter approaches.  This year he would indicate a cold winter with earlier and longer than normal growth.  Cold doesn’t seem to affect him a lot, although we have had to move or cancel a couple of rides due to high winds and cold temps. in December.  Boomer dresses up for Christmas, weddings, or any event he contributes to depending upon the occasion and the mood of his owner/mother Cindy.  Attached are some pictures of recent guests on carriage rides…enjoy!

Boomer decorated and ready

Boomer meets guests

ready to ride

Jazz and Boomer on New Year's eve

Guests get ready to cruise

Boomer nibbles on artificial flowers

Riding with Boomer

Wrapped up for a ride

Meeting Boomer

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Williams House Tea Party

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Williams House Tea

It’s been a busy couple of months at the Williams House with Thanksgiving and Christmas events so I’m going to be catching up on some of the blogging over this period.  We’ll start with a  tea for about 20 ladies to celebrate the season.  It was a combined group from two garden clubs that came to enjoy Deborah’s high tea with several varieties of tea, tasty finger sandwiches, scones, cookies and creme filled strawberries.  Deborah definitely enjoys these events and creating the tempting items that go together with a variety of teas.  Of course, Byron is the chief sampler and food taster and  must give his best tasting efforts to insure quality.  In this case…excellent!  It was a fun event with the excitement of the holiday season nearing .

Ladies enjoy tea in the parlor

Tea party goodies

More goodies

More ladies in parlor

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Amelia Island Lighted Christmas Parade

Friday, December 31st, 2010

Ship substitutes for Santa's sleigh

The annual lighted Christmas parade brought out many interesting combinations of lights and Christmas decorating in the streets of Fernandina Beach.   Fire engines, ships, funny cars, animal characters and lots of families and children all participated to light up the evening.  It was s little lower than normal temps. but that didn’t seem to bother either parade participants or families enjoying the show.   A few children in wagons enjoyed the parade within the parade and as usual candy was available for children along the parade route.  It was a fun time for this annual tradition!

Santa's helpers on parade

Santa is mobile

Kid's get a free ride

Friendly animals join the parade

More fun characters

Smoke from pirate pistols fill the air

Santa's little helpers

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Fernandina Beach Pajama Party

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Santa pj's on black Friday in Fernandina Beach

 

Each year on black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, shoppers in Fernandina Beach are encouraged to come downtown and shop in their pj’s to receive a discount at all purchases in local stores.  As a result the downtown streets are filled with all manner of interesting pj looks and of course besides the discount, a prize is awarded for “best dressed” shopper.  From santa to diva’s, the view is unique and colorful as each shopper trys to outdo their neighbor and be considered for the grand prize.  To be consistent all contestant’s register at the main booth and have their pictures taken so judging can be uniform and more easily rendered.  I’m not sure this approach would work in a large mall setting, but in the quaint streets of downtown Fernandina Beach, it creates a lot of fun and entertaining experiences.  People gladly pose for pictures and are actually buying from local stores, so it’s great for shoppers, merchants and casual observers.  This event is a prelude to the next day when Santa comes to downtown and the Christmas tree is lit  by the harbor.  The lighted boat parade is scheduled for December 11 at 7 pm and is another fun evening in this holiday season.  Come on down and enjoy Christmas and the Holidays in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island!

Pajamas in Fernandina Beach

 

shopping in their pj's

 

pj's for everyone but the dog

 

pj's and a talking hat

 

mama pajama and cool slippers

 

the robe look with slippers

 

the angelic look

 

red is her signature color

 

group pj's in Palace Saloon

 

pirates and pj's

 

Santa's helpers

 

diva's in pj's

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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

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10/10/10 Is Perfect Williams House Wedding

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Boomer and carriage with bride Jaime

October has as usual been a fantastic weather month on Amelia Island with virtually no rain and temps in the 80′s and limited humidity.  A perfect setting for weddings at the Williams House.  Jeremy and Jaime, a local couple were married on 10/10/10, a special numerical date and we understand it was a busy wedding date throughout the world.  Family and friends joined Jeremy and Jaime from across the U.S. to celebrate this special day in their lives and had a great time participating.  The bride was brought in by Boomer the carriage horse all decorated for a wedding.  The groom waited patiently on the front porch of the Williams House where the couple eschanged vows.   The reception was in the courtyard where guests enjoyed some of Deborah’s fine cooking while music played in the background. The wedding cake chosen was “whimsical”  and different according to local bakery Chez Lezan (also quite tasty!).  This special day was worth waiting for and everyone  enjoyed their special time with Jeremy and Jaime on Amelia Island.

Bride and groom recite vows with Byron

Jeremy and Jaime enjoy carriage ride after exhanging vows

Williams House courtyard awaits reception guests

Name tag fans await guests

Jeremy and Jaime enter reception

Jeremy and Jaime cut their wedding cake

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Putt-Putt for Hospitality on Amelia Island

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Ocean view putt-putt on Amelia Island

Our former state house representative who now is the owner of a local putt-putt right on the ocean on Amelia Island recently staged the “Hospitality Open”.  Teams from all varieties of local businesses including hotels, B&B’s, and restaurants gathered for friendly competition, with wine, beer and snacks to aid the competition.  The competition was challenging among the 10 or so teams, but everyone won something at the end.  Along with our tourism and development guru we all enjoyed friendly competition in the name of connecting the key service providers on Amelia Island.  We are all pleased with the great variety of guest experiences available on the Island including a variety of price points, many quisine options and great hospitality of the “Southern Style”.  Most of the attendees are usually busy with guests, so it was fun to take a break and enjoy telling stories and sharing experiences of providing hospitality on layed back and beautiful Amelia Island.  In the B&B category it was Williams House and Fairbanks House teamed against Elizabeth Pointe Lodge.  As the three Select Registry properties on the Island it was a battle of the “best” and Elizabeth Pointe came out ahead by one single stroke.  So they got local movie tickets and we recived premium ice cream gift cards.  Did I mention we also had a wonderful strawberry/vanilla soft ice cream blend as a reward for all the hard work and concentration of putting and competing.  There aren’t many Islands that have a putt-putt course with ocean views, but it is one of the fun and unique features of this beautiful Island.  Come and join us for a trip to paradise!

Atlantic views behind Deborah at putt-putt

Competitors in action at putt-putt

 

Beer and wine at the putt-putt

 

View of the putt-putt course

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