Amelia Island Tourist Development Council

The Historic Fernandina Business Association proudly presents Sounds on Centre, a free community concert held the First Friday of each month (March - October) in historic downtown Fernandina. Taking place on Centre Street between Second Street and Front Street from 6 to 8 p.m., each free concert is another chance for friends to bring their chairs and their dancing shoes to enjoy a wide variety of local bands.

Held the first weekend of every month, the Union Garrison events feature living history interpreters, as they recreate life at the fort during the Civil War. Visitors may see powder artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. For details call (904) 277-7274, or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch. Address - 2601 Atlantic Avenue Fernandina Beach, FL 32034-2203

Every second Saturday, Amelia Island holds an exciting Artrageous Artwalk. With numerous galleries participating, visitors can peruse photography, pottery, copper, metal, stained glass, watercolors, acrylics and more. Visit nearly a dozen galleries in downtown Fernandina. Visit www.ameliaisland.com for additional information.

On the third Friday of each month, the Amelia Island Museum of History offers a special presentation on a variety of topics related to the history of the island. The event takes place at 6 p.m. at Baker Hall in the museum. For non-members, admission is $10. Visit www.ameliamuseum.org for additional information about the museum. Address - 233 South 3rd Street Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

On the third Friday of each month, the Amelia Island Museum of History offers a special presentation on a variety of topics related to the history of the island. The event takes place at 6 p.m. at Baker Hall in the museum. For non-members, admission is $10. Visit www.ameliamuseum.org for additional information about the museum. Address - 233 South 3rd Street Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival will once again showcase world-class artists performing classical music in intimate and historic settings on Amelia Island. The festival is dedicated to bringing a wide variety of chamber music at the highest level. The 2012 festival features an incredible line-up including cellist Lynn Harrell, violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, and much more. For ticket details and additional information, call (904) 261-1779 or visit www.aicmf.com.

The one-day tournament is geared toward family fishing, rather than individual, and features an offshore and inshore fishing competition. Fernandina Beach Fishing Rodeo is still a Division V Southern Kingfish Association tournament, while at the same time offering a more family orientated tournament with five species of offshore and five species of backwater game fish targeted for cash awards. Additional information can be found at www.fishnsfa.com.

The 3rd Annual Great Southern Tailgate Cook-Off will fire up again on August 24 and 25 on Amelia Island. Barbeque cooking teams from across the country will compete for cash and prizes and, of course, bragging rights. The event is held at Main Beach on Amelia Island, where the beach meats the brisket. Visit www.gstailgatecookoff.com or call 904-277-0717 for more information.

With the shimmering Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop, the inaugural Amelia Island Blues Festival will include two days of outstanding music, great food, drinks and more. The all-star lineup will be announced in early 2012. Visit www.ameliaislandbluesfest.com for the latest information.

The Amelia Island Jazz Festival will once again light up the island with a week-long series of events celebrating the diverse all-American art form of jazz. Under the creative direction of renowned jazz drummer and bandleader Les DeMerle, the 2012 festival will feature headliners Spyro Gyra and more to be announced, plus other world-class jazz artists in a wide variety of styles, including Contemporary, Bebop, Smooth Jazz, Big Band, Latin, Blues, Dixieland and more. Past headliners include David Sanborn, Ramsey Lewis and Buckwheat Zydeco. Performances will take place at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation and several other charming venues around the island. For more information, visit www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com or phone 904/504-4772.

The inaugural Amelia Island Wine Festival, which will be held waterfront in downtown Fernandina Beach, will feature Florida-only wines and the vintners who make them. Visitors will be able to enjoy tastings with the award-winning vintners and discuss their wines and wineries, as well as purchase bottles or cases. Currently, 15 wineries are scheduled to attend, with more than 60 different wines for guests to sample, as well as a selection of craft vendors featuring wine and kitchen accessories and gourmet food vendors. The event will also offer an educational booth regarding the Florida wine industry. Guests will receive an Amelia Island Wine Festival wineglass for their tasting. Email info@ameliawine.com for additional information.

The Amelia Island Futures Championships, a USTA Pro Circuit men's tennis event, will be held at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort Racquet Park. Qualifying rounds are free to spectators. Main Draw Matches cost $10 per adult and $5 per child. For more information, call the Tennis Pro Shop at Omni Amelia Island Plantation at (904) 277-5145 or visit www.aipfl.com. Address - 6800 First Coast Hwy, Fernandina Beach, FL

Visitors can join close to 300 petanque players on Amelia Island as they compete in this simplified version of an older outdoor bowling game. The goal is to toss or roll a number of hollow steel balls as close as possible to a small wooden target ball. Players take turns and the team that ends up nearest to the target ball when all balls are played, wins. For more information, visit www.petanque-america-open.net.

The Amelia Island Bed and Breakfast Association invites the public to enjoy its annual open-house and self-guided walking tour of inns just in time for the 2012 holiday season. The event will take place this year on Saturday, November 17 from noon to 5 p.m. Visitors will tour some of the most impressive buildings on the island, sample a signature cookie from each of the participating inns, and be entertained with history and carriage rides and trolley tours while collecting heirloom recipes along the way. Guests will walk away with ideas for cookies to add to their celebrations, as well as inspiration for holiday decorating. In keeping with tradition, a portion of ticket and cookbook sales from the Tour will benefit a local charity. For more information, call (800) 226-3542 or visit ameliaislandinns.com