SJC Parks and Recreation Welcomes Hundreds of Attendees to 2025 Bartram Living History Festival

• 9 May 2025
• Category: SJC News Parks and Recreation
• Tags: 2025

Event teaches visitors about St. Johns County history dating to the 18^th century

On May 3, the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department welcomed hundreds of guests to Alpine Groves Park (2060 SR-13, Switzerland) for the 2025 Bartram Living History Festival. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to commemorate the event.

The festival (formerly known as “Bartram Bash”) celebrates centuries of Floridian history, bringing historical interpreters to teach visitors about the figures and cultures that shaped St. Johns County, along with games and crafts for families, live music, and tours of the park’s historic farmhouse. 2025 saw even more interpreters along the riverfront at Alpine Groves Park, including a blacksmith, and refreshments provided by Salt Run BBQ Food Truck and Sour Filly Drink Truck.

“I love putting on the Bartram Living History Festival, because it shines a light on all of our unique history here in St. Johns County,” Outdoor Recreation Supervisor Kelly Ussia said. “When people think ‘St. Augustine,’ they tend to think more of colonial history, but we have… really interesting history in St. Johns County that doesn’t get time to shine.”

Mike Adams, an ex officio director for the Bartram Trail Society of Florida, has portrayed 18^th-century explorer and naturalist William Bartram at the festival since its inception.

“What we had this year, in 2025, was just the best one yet, for sure,” Adams said. “I think the visitors that come to Alpine Groves Park are having a wonderful, historical experience.”

“We’ve built on all the things that we did in 2024, and I’m so excited to wait and see what comes next year,” Ussia said.