ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The past and the present blended together for one big celebration as the city of St. Augustine turns 450 years old, drawing people from near and far.
The culmination of five years of planning is on display Friday as the streets of St. Augustine filled with people out to celebrate the city's 450th birthday with a street festival and concert.
"We've been planning to come back here for the last 18 months and we found out today it was the 450th this weekend, so we left from Delaware and we are here," attendee Durant Cornish said.
The city wants people to "party like it's 1565" for the Labor Day weekend in advance Founder's Day on Tuesday -- the day Pedro Menendez came ashore 450 years ago and named the first permanent European settlement in America for the Catholic saint.
The stages are set, and the streets blocked off for one big birthday extravaganza, through a series of musical performances, and historical reenactments that remind everyone of the city's rich past.
"We hope to take part in almost everything, we'd love to relocate here at some part of our lives, it's amazing," visitor Annie Mountain said.
Many of the streets in downtown St. Augustine and the Colonial Quarter are pedestrian-only Friday and Saturday night, as the main stage at the foot of the Bridge of Lions will present national recording artists will perform for thousands.
"I took a selfie with the people packed behind me on the Bridge of Lions," said Shelly Tennyson. "It's really fun."
EXTENDED COVERAGE: Hour-long "Birthday Bash" kickoff show
St. Augustine 450 special section
Feature artists Friday included Aaron Neville, Mavis Staples and the People Helping People Gospel Choir.
Neville, a New Orleans native has hits that include "Tell It Like It Is," "Everybody Plays the Fool" and "Don't Know Much."
"It's cool being in such an old city," Neville told the St. Augustine Record. "I feel honored and it's great to be a part of it. I'm honored to be invited to come and play."
Saturday night, Emmylou Harris with Rodney Crowell, JJ Grey & Mofro, Justin Townes Earle, and Nicki Bluhm with The Gramblers will perform on the main stage, but dozens of musicians, entertainers, reenactors and storytellers will fill three other stages in the historic district from 3-6 p.m.
Parking is available at dozens of lots throughout the city, with real-time status updates and traffic reports available on the Explore St. Augustine app. Traffic and parking were not a problem Friday, and St. Augustine predicts it can handle 25-30,000 people expected on Saturday.
For full coverage and links to event calendars and much more, visit News4Jax's St. Augustine 450 special sectiion.
Crowds began arriving on the opening day of the five day birthday party.