The British Night Watch Illumination Parade

During the British period in St Augustine, from 1763-1783, the guards would march through the town every night with lanterns to light their way and lock the city gate. On special occasions the entire city would join them.

We were in St Augustine for the annual re-enactment of this event. We gathered on the lawn of the First Public Market Place, which by the way is where the idea of weights and measures was first used to keep merchants honest. After the re-enactors read the proclamation they marched off to ‘illuminate the town.’ We joined the crowd and followed them around the square and through the town.

One of the fun parts of the evening was sitting with a couple from another cruising boat, Tiki Trek. They had been in St Augustine for several months after deciding not to go north for the summer. They were a great source of info about the town and what to see and do.

 

He quieted the sea with His Power