ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — St. Augustine’s historic Lincolnville Festival will be held on Saturday, November 13, on the lawn of the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center. A weekendof jazz music will also include street vendors and food trucks. Sunday will feature a church service at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Marvin Johnson with Minister Karla Tandy at the First Baptist Church.
Presented by the Lincolnville Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Society, special musical guests include Doug Carn, Cellus, Al & Anthony (Double A), Marker 82 and Heart of Elaine.
Saturday will begin with a reception “Honoring Our Lincolnville Seniors 80 +” at 11 a.m. Among those recognized will be 86 year-old Rai Schwecke, the force behind the origins of the annual event, and 98 year-old Cora Tyson who provided Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King a safe house during the Civil Rights movement.
“It was a great committee that has held it together with many local Linconville residents working for many years to keep it alive and keep it going,” she said.
Schweke said that the event began as an idea at her dining room where she, Doug Carn and Chris Lightburn made a template for setting up music, food and vendors to highlight the importance of community. The event was a success from the onset.
Schweke explained that the festival began as an effort to preserve and restore the Lincolnville community through the power of jazz music.
“It’s synonymous with our culture,” said the Lincolnville resident. “Jazz and music has always been a part of our culture.”
Schweke said that she feels blessed to be honored at the event.
Tyson, who befriended Dr. Martin Luther King remains shy about receiving any fanfare.
“What I did during that time was something that needed to be done, " she said. “God had opened my heart up and my home and I had what it took to help with the movement. I did it with a smile and I’m proud I was able to do it and I think I did help the movement.”
Music will play from Noon until 10 p.m. on Saturday.