English corsair Sir Francis Drake and his raiders return to St. Augustine for an authentic re-creation of the 1586 sack of the city on Saturday, May 14, 2022.  Join Drake and his privateer raiders from 10 AM to 5 PM for the 16th century-style military and civilian encampment at the Oldest House Museum Complex located at 14 Saint Francis Street. There will be military drills, demonstrations, and living history interpretations throughout the day.

The reenactment of the sacking and burning of the town will commence Saturday evening at 7 PM in the old city, beginning at the field near the Old City Gates (including the Santa Domingo Redoubt on Orange St).  As Drake’s men come ashore, a battle breaks out with the Spanish Saldados. The Spanish saldados and the St. Augustine citizens flee with Drake’s men in pursuit.  Skirmishes continue south on St. George Street towards the Plaza de Constitucion.

The final skirmish takes place in front of the Governor’s House Museum. This military display is intended to symbolically commemorate the temporary retreat from the city of St. Augustine by Spanish colonial forces. After the town was looted and burned by Drake’s men, the Spanish returned to rebuild upon the same streets you walk on today!

This event is brought to you by the Historic Florida Militia and the Men of Menendez along with our partners The Saint Augustine Historical Society and the Saint Johns County Cultural Council.

This year's Drakes Raid event will be part of the first-ever Saint Augustine History Festival. This Festival, (running from May 13 -15), sponsored by the University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, will be a weekend-long spectacular.  Special events will be held all around town.  Just some of the participants in the festival are, the City of St. Augustine, Flagler College, the St. Augustine Historical Society, the Lighthouse, the Colonial Quarter, the Fountain of Youth, and Fort Mose to name a few. Each venue will hold its own unique event.

Additional information can be found at http://hfm.club