Menendez Birthday Festival

Back in 1920s St. Augustine, the city hosted many events like, for example, a birthday party for St. Augustine founder Don Pedro Menendez. Menendez’s Birthday was a sophisticated celebration of the city’s 16th century Spanish heritage. It included horseracing downtown, regattas, masked balls, and lavish parades that brought the whole community together. The event lasted for three days.

The Menendez Birthday Festival was resurrected in recent years—though on a much smaller scale than the huge festivals of the 1920s and 30s. The return of the festival came with the city’s decision to do something spectacular to celebrate its Spanish heritage. After all, St. Augustine is the only city in the United States that can flaunt that 16th century period of settlement. It recognized its unique opportunity to showcase the area’s rich historical significance.

The regalia and festivities include Paso Fino horses marching down St. George Street. These elegant steeds were the mount of the Spanish Conquistador, and they are noted for their rhythmic, four-beat walk that comes natural to the breed.

A group of Menendez’s descendants is invited to attend from St. Augustine’s sister city Aviles, Spain. The group brings with them a troupe of folkloric dancers and musicians called Sabugo Tente Firme, who dance in the Plaza de la Constitucion and then march in the 3 p.m. Gran Paseo from the city gates to the plaza via St. George Street. Performances continue throughout the festivities.

The parade is led by Menendez on horseback, followed by Paso Fino horses, re-enactors, and papier-mache heads and giants. Festivities generally continue throughout the day, and they are centered in downtown. There are street festivals on Aviles and Paso Fino horse drill demonstrations in the park area.

The entire event is still in its infancy, but the city of St. Augustine believes it has the potential to build into something very memorable. There is room for growth particularly on the entertainment side, which could mean bigger performers in the years to come.