Good morning, St. Augustine.

On Labor Day, Sept. 1, Publix in St. Augustine will be open while schools, federal offices and mail services are closed and Costco will remain shut—local shoppers should verify hours at other stores.

Restaurants are offering special food deals for Labor Day weekend with promotions at Buffalo Wild Wings, Krispy Kreme and others—deals run through Monday, Sept.

1 even as banks and post offices close. Many local diners can enjoy discounted meals during the holiday while planning their gatherings.

The National Hurricane Center shows one tropical system with a low chance for storm development, so Labor Day weekend should be mostly quiet in the tropics — for now — even as a cold front is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and high rip currents.

Residents are urged to prepare for shifting weather conditions as the season continues.

Gordie Wilson led the fort in Downtown St. Augustine for 33 years and will retire on September 2.

He started as a National Park Ranger in 1978 and became superintendent in 1992—weathering hurricanes, shutdowns, and historic changes during his service.

St. Augustine now qualifies as Class 4 in the National Flood Insurance Program, so homeowners will soon pay 30% less for flood insurance premiums on or after April 1, 2026—an increase from the 25% discount that resulted from ongoing flood mitigation efforts—according to city officials and federal agencies. This change follows detailed studies under the Watershed Master Plan and reflects the city's strong floodplain management practices.

In week 2 of high school football, local teams competed in all-local contests as Nease won with strong touchdowns and interceptions and St. Augustine took a win after key plays by Trendell Anderson—while Ponte Vedra earned its biggest win ever with 37 first-half points.

Other games saw Tocoi Creek, Beachside and St. Joseph win with record plays—like a 97‐yard interception return—that boosted their season starts.

THROWDOWN THURSDAYS — Wheel Throwing Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Make Space Workshop & Classroom — Class cost includes all supplies — Master the art of wheel throwing over this engaging 4-week course.

Sing Out Loud Festival 2025

Free shows every weekend from Sept 12 - 28 — Sing Out Loud Festival — Many concerts free — Celebrate live music with performances in R&B, bluegrass, country, hip-hop, and indie rock.

St. Augustine Home Show 2025

September 6-7 — World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort — Admission details to be confirmed — Explore innovative home solutions with top contractors and designers.

Ancient City Con 2025

12 PM - 7 PM — World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort — Prices Vary — Experience Northeast Florida's longest-running multi-day pop-culture convention.

Annual St. Augustine Book Festival

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Ximenez-Fatio House Museum — Free entry — Celebrate literature in the charming courtyard with local authors and interesting talks.

Thick & Thin String Band Performance

5-8 p.m. — Marina Munch — Free admission — Enjoy live music while sampling delicious food from local food trucks.

Get Buzzed for Buzztails 2025

6-9 p.m. — St. Augustine Alligator Farm — Ticket required — Enjoy craft breweries, local food, and support rattlesnake conservation at this exciting charity fundraiser.