ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Nov. 2) -- The City of St. Augustine Beach will celebrate its 50th birthday with sand sculptures, a passel of pirates and fun for the entire family throughout the day on Saturday, November 7 at the city pier.

The festivities get underway at 10 a.m. with The Big Sand Sculpting Contest at the 16th Street beach ramp. Winners of this family-oriented competition will be announced at 2:45 p.m. at the Pier Pavilion. At 11 a.m., the party starts at the Pier and Pavilion when the bang of pirate cannons will announce the arrival of three boatloads of Ancient City Privateers who will storm the beach. For the remainder of the day until 5 p.m., celebrations, cannon firings, musketry, occasional swordplay, songs and pirate shenanigans will provide non-stop fun and entertainment. At 3 p.m., the Story of Stinky Pete will be presented aboard the Good Ship City Gate docked in front of the pier pavilion and live music will be provided by the Rusty Cutlass Band. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet some of St. Augustine’s most colorful seafaring rogues including Bad Dog, Sharkbite, The Wench and the Krewe. Plus, lots of food and craft vendors will be in attendance.

Funded in part by a grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, all of the birthday celebration events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 904.501.1253.

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