Special Events for Fort Clinch State Park

• CANDLELIGHT VIEWING
  Date: Saturday evenings after sundown. See table for specific dates.
  Description: Candlelight Viewing
  Saturday evenings after the First Weekend Union Garrison (except in December).
  Viewing times vary with sunset.
  
  
  This is a self-guided viewing of Fort Clinch which takes place after sundown. See below for specific dates.
  
  

  January 5		February 2		March 1
  April 5		May 3		June 7
  July 5		August 2		September 6
  October 4		November 1

  
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $3.00 per person Fort admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• FIRST WEEKEND UNION GARRISONS
  Date: First full weekend of each month. Saturday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. See table below for specific dates.
  Description: First Weekend Union Garrisons
  First full weekend of each month
  Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  
  Living historians recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War Between the States. Activities may include artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. Soldiers and civilians also take up duty in the laundry, infirmary, kitchen, barracks, quartermaster and carpenter shop. Candlelight viewings on Saturday evenings every First Weekend (except December). See below for specific dates.
  
  

  January 5 & 6		February 2 & 3		March 1 & 2
  April 5 & 6		May 3 & 4		June 7 & 8
  July 5 & 6		August 2 & 3		September 6 & 7
  October 4 & 5		November 1 & 2		December 6 & 7

  
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $2.00 per person Fort admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• MUSIC AND STARGAZING
  Date: Friday, May 16th, 2008. 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
  Description: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Fort Clinch State Park, as part of the Wild Amelia Festival, will host stargazing and music on the evening of May 16, 2008. The Northeast Florida Astronomical Society will have telescopes set up to view the wonders of the night sky while you enjoy music by Tom Shed. This is just one of many exciting adventures in which to participate during the festival. You must register for this and other Wild Amelia events. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity.
  
  For additional information and to register visit Wild Amelia Nature Festival.
  
  Fees: Register for this and other Wild Amelia events at the link above.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• WORLD WAR II EVENT
  Date: Saturday, May 24th, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  Description: Memorial Weekend program in honor of men and women who served during WWII. Military displays and memorabilia of the Allies, Axis and Home Front will be featured.
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $2.00 per person Fort admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• ANNUAL FREE KIDS' FISHING CLINIC
  Date: Saturday, June 14th. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  Description: Kids learn how to be responsible anglers, tie knots, cast and more. First 500 kids receive a free rod and reel, bait is provided. Guardians must attend.
  Fees: Free for kids and accompanying adults.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• SPANISH AMERICAN WAR EVENT
  Date: Saturday, September 20th, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 21, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  Description: Commemoration of the Spanish American War.
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $2.00 per person Fort admission fee.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• CONFEDERATE GARRISONS
  Date: Saturday, October 11th, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 12th, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
  Description: Living historians recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War Between the States. Activities may include black powder artillery demonstrations and marching drills, as well as soldiers and civilians taking up duty in the laundry, infirmary and kitchen. Candlelight viewing on Saturday evening.
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $2.00 per person Fort admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER
  Date: The evening of Saturday, November 8th.
  Description: An after hours program saluting Armed Forces with a timeline of men and women portraying soldiers from each major military conflict in US history.
  Fees: Free with donation of one canned food item per person.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• UNION HOLIDAY ENCAMPMENT
  Date: Saturday, December 6th, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 7th, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
  Description: Living historians recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War Between the States. Activities may include artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. Soldiers and civilians also take up duty in the laundry, infirmary, kitchen, barracks, quartermaster and carpenter shop. A special Christmas tree will also be decorated with period, hand-made decorations.
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $2.00 per person Fort admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  

Fort Clinch State Park Ranger Programs

• RANGER INTERPRETIVE
  Ongoing There is always a Park Ranger on duty at the fort and often times, some volunteers as well. There is no set time for Ranger Programs but there is constant roving interpretation taking place. The fort staff are usually offering a first-person interpretation of the fort life as in 1864 by portraying soldiers and workers stationed at Fort Clinch. Other park programs include a guided nature walk at the Willow Pond area on Saturdays at 10:30 A.M. These usually last about an hour and are conducted by a park volunteer or Park Ranger.
  Call 904-277-7274 for more details.
• NATURE WALKS
  Saturdays 10:30 AM Free with park admission of $5.00 per vehicle. Every Saturday, weather permitting. This is a guided nature walk around Willow Pond trail, which winds through a coastal maritime hammock down to fresh water ponds. Through an informative presentation, visitors will discover a wide variety of native plants and animals. NO PETS.
  Call (904) 277-7274 for more details.
• CANDLELIGHT VIEWING
  1st Saturday evening of each month (with the exception of December). Viewing times vary with sunset. Park admission is $5.00 per vehicle plus $3.00 per person. Volunteers join park rangers to re-create life in the fort during the War Between the States. These living historians take up duty in the infirmary, blacksmith shop, jail, laundry, and kitchen. Activities include black powder artillery demonstrations, marching drills, and blacksmith demonstrations. NO PETS.
  Call 904-277-7274 for more details.
• SUMMER CANDLELIGHT TOURS
  May through Labor Day (Except Saturdays during First Weekend Garrisons). Step back in time and take an evening tour of Fort Clinch. You can join a Union soldier and be led by candlelight through the historic fort, while enjoying the tales of a soldier’s life in 1864. Reservations are required and the fees include park admission plus $3.00 per person Fort admission. Tour times vary with sundown.
  Call (904) 277-7274 for more details.
• CAMPFIRE PROGRAMS
  Every Saturday evening, November through April. Meet at the Amelia River Campground Amphitheatre. These are a fun Saturday night program for our camping guests. Program topics vary from Park Animals to Campfire Cooking.
  Call For more information call 904-277-7274. for more details.