We are excited to introduce our new Vilano Beach Main Street Executive Directors -

Michael Cunningham & Jennifer Watkins!

Please help us in welcoming both Michael and Jennifer to the Vilano Beach Community as the new Executive Directors. We are delighted that they will be partnering on this role and sharing their talents and expertise with the Community!

Both Michael and Jennifer are very familiar with Vilano Beach and the St Augustine Community and have been actively involved in a variety of roles and volunteer efforts. The wealth of experience that we are gaining will certainly help to bring Vilano Beach to the next level.

Michael moved to St. Augustine in 1999 as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the St. Augustine Lighthouse. He immediately fell in love with St. Augustine and has since volunteered his time for 12 local non-profits, won the Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year award in 2010, and has been involved in every aspect of our tourism industry including Publisher for Morris Visitor Publications, Owner of St. Augustine & the Beaches News Journal, and Event Coordinator for the City of St. Augustine Beach.

Michael and his wife, Allison, have 3 grown children - Rachel, Bailey, and Connor - and 2 grandchildren - Odessa and Atlas. They love spending time with family and at their cabin in Burnsville, North Carolina. Michael is General Manager for the Holiday Inn Express, Vilano Beach.

Jennifer has been living in the Saint Augustine area for 17 years with her son George (13). Her eclectic background makes her a unique fit for the position of Executive Director of Vilano Beach Main Street. She brings a wide range of experiences and talents from her time working for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives and Pennsylvania State Senate. Locally, she has worked at the St. Augustine Art Association and Lightner Museum where she managed the very popular and successful Dressing Downton Exhibition.

Jennifer is passionate about Vilano Beach having resided there for 7 years, spending her time with her son swimming, surfing, shopping and dining. She looks forward to the opportunity to better connect with the community and to support the magic that is Vilano Beach.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Sea turtle nesting season began May 1, and St. Johns County officials are asking residents, visitors, and businesses to help protect the turtles’ natural habitat by observing all nesting season laws and regulations.

From May 1 to Oct. 31, St. Johns County staff will close vehicular beach access gates at 7:30 p.m. and reopen them at 8 a.m. to allow nesting sea turtles to have a safe beach throughout the night.

Learn How You Can Have A Positive Impact

VBMS Community Meeting

Thank you to all who joined us for our April community meeting. Your insights and discussions about our future were invaluable.

The Vilano Beach Main Street Board will be reviewing all input together and incorporating this into our 2024/25 plans. We will not be holding our May Community Meeting so that the Board can complete the work session.

We are excited to continue moving forward together!

We will see you in June and hope to see all of you to kick off the Summer.

Upcoming Vilano Beach Events

St. Augustine Food & Wine Festival begins next week!

May 8-12, 2024

World Golf Village, Renaissance Resort, San Sebastian Winery and Bozard Lincoln

The 2024 St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival, set against the backdrop of one of the nation's most scenic and historic cities, highlights the talents of celebrity chefs, esteemed winemakers and proprietors, as well as local artisans and the finest in local craft spirits and beers. With a diverse lineup of events, from luxurious wine dinners and engaging tasting events to educational masterclasses, silent auction and more, the festival caters to a variety of tastes and interests.

Purchase Tickets

Last Call for Silent Auction Donations

We need your support for the Silent Auction on May 11 at the Grand Tasting, benefiting Vilano Beach Main Street. Please consider donating items like services, gift cards, or experiences.

Contact Cindy Campbell-Taylor by noon on May 3 to contribute.

cindy_campbell-taylor@vilanobeachfl.com

Email Cindy

Thank you to those that have already donated to this year's silent auction!