Menendez Landing

The 454th anniversary commemoration of Menéndez’ Landing, Founders’ Day and First Thanksgiving event will be held on the weekend after Labor Day at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park and at Nombre de Diós Mission grounds. A re-enactment of Menéndez’ landing will take place at Mission Nombre de Diós on Saturday, September 8 at 10:00 a.m. Following that, a Catholic Mass will be held at the Rustic Altar on the Mission grounds. Salutes with cannons, pikes, flags, and arquebuses set up at the Fountain of Youth will accompany both Menéndez’ landing and his arrival at the Fountain of Youth from the Mission following the religious ceremonies. A reenactment of the First Thanksgiving will take place after the arrival of Menéndez entourage at the Fountain of Youth. Members of the Men of Menéndez will present living history demonstrations of weapons, material culture, military drills, and camp life on Saturday afternoon.