Winning Photos from 500th Anniversary of Ponce Landing!

There was a great turnout yesterday in St. Augustine for the 500th Anniversary of the landing of Juan Ponce de Leon in Florida!

After coming ashore from a small row boat near the Bridge of Lions, Ponce de Leon and his crew made their way to the Ponce de Leon Monument near the plaza. We heard from several amazing speakers, including representatives from Spain, Mayor Joe Boles, Dana Ste. Claire with the City of St. Augustine and 450th Commemoration, and Bishop Estevez from the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine.
Following the ceremony there was a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, with a blessing of the replica baptismal font that Ponce de Leon was baptized in, given to the church as a gift from the city Santervas de Campos, birthplace of Ponce de Leon. An exceptional homily was given by Bishop Robert Baker of the Diocese of Birmingham.
Finally, the group made their way to the Lewis Auditorium on the campus of Flagler College where we saw the unveiling of the new postage stamp for "La Florida." We heard from Senator Bill Nelson, Postal Service representative Jo Ann Feindt, and President of Flagler College Dr. William Abare. We also heard from Ponce de Leon himself! reenacted by Chad Light.
We had an amazing group of guerrilla newscasters tweeting us at @augustinedotcom  throughout the event! Here are some of the best pictures that captured the moment!

Photo by @SarahCoxington

Photo by @SarahCoxington

Photo by @VFluxuryInsider

Photo by @VFluxuryInsider

Photo by @funsizek80

Photo by @jackiehirdphoto

Photo by @simplystaug

And the WINNING user-submitted PHOTO comes to us from...

@TJA13 with their photo of the lineup of Ponce de Leon's procession outside the Cathedral Basilica of St.Augustine.

"Just finished mass, processional through town!"

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