Indians at St. Augustine anniversary

Native Americans focus of 444th birthday eventsOf course, the Spaniards were not the first to think of the St. Augustine area as “home.” When the Menendez expedition arrived, Native Americans known as the Timucua had been living there for at least 500 years. In fact, from the first moments of their arrival, the Spaniards encountered the residents of Seloy, a large Timucuan village located at the present site of the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park.

From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday, September 3-4, the park will feature exhibits and living history presentations highlighting the culture of the Timucuas, as well as the Seminoles and other U.S. Indian tribes that have been part of Florida’s history.

In addition, from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, an Indian Pow Wow honoring Native American traditions that are part of the city’s history will be held at the park. Admission is free to all of these events.Comment:  St. Augustine also claims to have celebrated the "truly first Thanksgiving." But Texas claims a Thanksgiving feast was held there some 25 years earlier.

For similar anniversary celebrations, see "America's First Settlement"? and Lake Champlain's 400th Anniversary.