Press Release
November 7, 2000
AMELIA ISLAND, FL -- The lack of cold and snow doesn't diminish the holiday spirit on Amelia Island. Its streets
glitter with lights and tinsel for the ``Victorian Seaside Christmas'' celebration. Activities for the young and
the young-at-heart abound as visitors celebrate ``Southern style'' from mid-November through December.
``The holidays are an especially spectacular time on the island,'' said Debbie Johnson, director of tourism for
the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council. ``Giant, brilliantly lit Christmas trees, decorated Victorian mansions
and historic churches, Civil War recreations at Fort Clinch, and New Year's Eve galas are just part of the excitement
of Amelia Island's holiday celebration.''
The holidays kickoff November 16 with Amelia Island's Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration. The newest French wines arrive
via skydivers at the Ritz-Carlton.
On Wednesday, November 22, the Ritz-Carlton will begin tours of Florida's largest gingerbread house, and then light
its 40-foot Christmas tree. With 70,000 lights, this tree has twice as many lights as New York City's Rockefeller
Center tree. Then it's time to join Santa's friends at the Holiday Character Dinner; complete with entertainment
provided by reindeer, snowmen and elves.
Come Thanksgiving Day, visitors can enjoy the traditional feast. The Hoyt House Bed & Breakfast, Florida House
Inn, Amelia Island Plantation and The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island all will be open, serving turkey and all the trimmings.
Saturday and Sunday, November 25 and 26, Union troop re-enactors show what a Civil War Thanksgiving was like at
historic Fort Clinch. The ``Union Thanksgiving Encampment'' at the state park includes a special candlelight tour
of the ``Union Thanksgiving Encampment'' will be held at sundown on Saturday.
December 2 and 3, historic Downtown Fernandina Beach transforms into a festive, Victorian wonderland for the ``Tour
of Bed & Breakfast Inns and Historic Churches.'' Luminary-lit walkways guide steps back in time, with inns
offering refreshments to warm the body, and churches offering festive music to warm the soul.
The tour runs from 2-6 p.m. each day. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Amelia Island Tourist Development
Council and all proceeds benefit local charities.
December 7-9 and 14-16, Charles Dickens' famous Christmas tale takes a lighthearted twist, as the Fernandina Beach
Little Theatre presents a holiday parody, ``A Dickens' Christmas Carol.''
Meanwhile, back at Fort Clinch State Park, visitors can return for a Confederate experience: this time it's the
``Confederate Christmas Encampment'' on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10. Set in 1862, uniformed, rifle-toting
soldiers carry out their daily chores as they prepare for Christmas Day. A special candlelight viewing of the ``Confederate
Christmas Encampment'' is schedule at sundown December 9.
Visitors can return home with more than memories of dining excellence. The Ritz-Carlton will offer holiday cooking
classes on December 14 and 15 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
On Christmas Day, the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, and the Amelia Island Plantation each will host annual Christmas
buffet dinners, complete with all the holiday trimmings.
The Ritz-Carlton will send the millennium off in style with its annual New Year's Eve Gala Ball, with a children's-only
New Year's Eve party scheduled as well.
Recently named one of the South's ``Favorite Scenic Drives'' in Southern Living's 2000 ``Readers' Choice Awards,''
Amelia Island offers visitors rich history, unspoiled beaches, titillating wildlife, soft adventure, unforgettable
golf and fabulous dining. Amelia Island is located at Florida's northeastern shore, and is easy to reach; located
just 25 miles from Jacksonville International Airport. The island features all types of accommodations from charming
bed & breakfast inns to world-class resorts. For more information, call (800) 2AMELIA or visit www.ameliaisland.org.
Please contact Patrick McSweeney at St. John & Partners Advertising & Public Relations at (904) 596-2085
or at patrickm@sjp.com to request either of these; or log on to Amelia Island's new Web site for journalists' use,
www.ameliamedia.com for additional information.
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Contact:
St. John & Partners, Jacksonville, Fla.
Patrick McSweeney, 904/596-2085
patrickm@sjp.com
or
Amelia Island Tourist Dev. Council
Debbie Johnson, 800/2-AMELIA