St Augustine Bridge of Lions Receive A New Pair of Statues on Island Side In Celebration of the 450th
The largest single, private donation in the city of St. Augustine in celebration of its 450th Anniversary will be unveiled during a celebration filled with ceremony and special events on Anastasia Boulevard on Thursday, July 2nd, 2015 from 4-8pm.
Wolfgang and Miki Schau personally commissioned the new lions and have been working with a local team since April of 20014. “With the Lions, we want to express our love to the city of St. Augustine as we express our love to each other. More details about this love story may be disclosed during the unveiling” said Wolfgang. The new pair is from the same family of Medici Lions found at the Loggia del Lanzi in Florence, Italy. as the Bridge’s existing lions. The new lions are made out of granite to ensure durability and will be installed next week on the east side of the Bridge in Davis Park. The unveiling will be presented to the city, its residents and visitors.
Hesitant to name themselves as the donors, Mr. Schau served as a member of Visioning 2014 & Beyond, the city of St. Augustine’s visioning initiative steering committee, and he and his wife are active residents in their neighborhood when not traveling the world.
Businesses along Anastasia Boulevard will be participating in the celebration by remaining open and contributing to the festive environment from 4-8pm. Black Fly Restaurant has a “Lion Fish” special, Puddy Mud is offering a paint your own pottery event, and Candle Light South Restaurant is having a special Beer Tasting.
Business owners and residents are excited and supportive of the new additions and view the installation as an opportunity to spotlight the initiative to improve Anastasia Boulevard and develop the area’s unique identity.
Parking is available at Blue Water Jewelers (guests at the Agustin are within walking distance), transportation also provided by Old Town Trolley Tours for no charge. Pre-ceremony festivities will begin at Blue Water Jewelers with a special Open House from 4-5:30 pm and at Puddy Mud starting at 2pm.