Amelia Island Tourist Development Council

With an irresistible mix of eclectic dining experiences, Northeast Florida's Amelia Island is pleased to announce its fifth annual Restaurant Week. The program which runs January 18 through 27, 2013, will offer area residents and visitors a fixed menu, including three courses and a beverage, at a great price. Participating restaurants and more information can be found at www.ameliaislandrestaurantweek.com.

Soak in the Florida sun and feel the sand in your toes as you enjoy a fit girls’ weekend getaway in awe-inspiring Amelia Island on north Florida’s Atlantic Coast. You’ll be welcomed to the ZOOMA weekend with a Fitness Expo at the host hotel. Take in the oceanfront sunset as you drink a cocktail (or mocktail if you prefer) at a sponsored happy hour before your post-race meal on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, awaken early to run a flat and scenic half marathon or 5K. After the finish line, celebrate your accomplishment with friends at a fun After-Party Expo on the oceanfront lawn at The Ritz-Carlton. Enjoy your adrenaline- and wine-fueled buzz with live music, massage, shopping, recovery yoga, and lots of empowering girls’ weekend energy.

The annual Amelia Island Garden Show will roll out nature's brightest colors for two days on March 2-3, 2013 at Central Park in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida. With growers and nurseries from around the state, the Amelia Island Garden Show will feature more than 50 vendors with a full assortment of flowers and plants, fruit trees and palms, orchids, herbs, container gardens, native plants, butterfly-friendly plants, shrubs, garden accessories and more. On-site experts will offer advice as to "greening" your home, yard and garden. "Ask the Expert booth" will offer short presentations and demonstrations.

The 2013 Amelia Concours d'Elegance celebrates the 50th anniversary of Porsche’s legend, the 911. It’s also the 50th anniversary of the Corvette Sting Ray. Both these pivotal and extraordinary cars will have seminars in their honor. They will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Italy’s Lamborghini marque.

The 9th Annual Katie Ride for Life takes place Saturday, April 20, and offers cycling options for all levels, including a fun ride, 18 miles, 36 miles, 62 miles, 100 miles and an off-road course. There are also walk options of 5K and 10K through Fort Clinch State Park.

For half a century, this small crustacean has caused a big sensation in historic downtown Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, where thousands of visitors happily strand themselves for this annual tradition. The popular event features a nationally-recognized juried fine arts and crafts show, antiques, live entertainment, kids activities, contests, pirates, free admission and food booths serving up the tastiest shrimp you can find, prepared every way possible by local non-profit organizations. For more information, go to www.shrimpfestival.com or call toll free (866) 426-3542.

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. For ticket details and additional information, call (904) 261-1779 or visit www.aicmf.com.

The 2013 Wild Amelia Nature Festival invites residents and visitors to experience the wild side of Amelia Island. This exciting 3-day festival of our bioregion around Amelia Island, includes numerous nature tours led by area naturalists and Park Rangers, nature photography workshops taught by local professionals, a nature-based / green business expo, The 'Kids Niche' nature-based activities for children, critters from the Jacksonville Zoo and more! This year's critter is the Horseshoe Crab. An ancient animal that has not evolved for over 3 million years but is a vital part of the coastal ecosystem. And, guess what, it's not a crab at all! For tickets or additional information, call (904) 251-0016 or visit www.wildamelia.com.

The 4th Annual Great Southern Tailgate Cook-Off will fire up again on August 23 and 24 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 Amelia Island Blues Festival will include two days of outstanding music, great food, drinks and more. 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. Past headliners include David Sanborn, Ramsey Lewis and Buckwheat Zydeco. Performances will take place at several charming venues around the island. For more information, visit www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com or phone 904-504-4772.

The Amelia Island Wine Festival, which will be held waterfront in downtown Fernandina Beach, will feature many 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. Visit www.ameliawine.com for additional information.

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 2013 holiday season. The event will take place this year on Saturday, November 23 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