Changing Of The Guard.

The Saint Augustine Garrison is pleased to announce there will be a Changing of the Guard Ceremony conducted Saturday evening, May 20.  If you are not familiar with the Changing of the Guard Ceremony allow me to explain. The year is 1740. By orders of the Governor of Colonial Spanish Saint Augustine, a patrol of Soldados (Soldiers) marched through town. Their purpose was to make sure the town’s people were safe inside the walls of the city. The Soldados would lock the City Gate ensuring only those who belonged in town were safe and sound for the evening. The Soldados would then march to the Governor’s Mansion were a relief squad would take the place of the soldiers already standing guard there. It was the daily routine.
Our Changing of the Guard ceremony will start at 6:00 pm from the Colonial Quarter. One squad of soldiers, militia and colonial civilians will march along Saint George Street to the area of the Government House. There, one of our historic interpreters will speak to the public giving them details of our performance. A short time later a second squad of soldiers will march along Saint George Street and also stop in front of the Government House. Commanding Officers will inspect the newly arrived troops. The relief troops will exchange places with the Soldados already stationed on guard duty. The relieved troops will then fire musket volleys. After the ceremony, the audience is encouraged to mingle with the Historical Interpreters for photographs and to ask questions. Afterward, all the Historical Interpreters will march back to the area of the Colonial Quarter. The whole event takes about 45 minutes. Many of the participants will linger in town giving the residents and visitors an additional opportunity for questions and photos.
As an added bonus, members of the Saint Augustine Garrison will be at the Colonial Quarter during the day to share the Ancient City’s history with it’s visitors.