The nation is about to get an up close view of Vilano Beach.
HGTV is set to air an episode featuring the scenic St. Johns County enclave in a popular series on beachfront homes, local officials revealed this week.
St. Johns County Visitors and Convention Bureau President Susan Phillips said she learned that the network was scouting in the area earlier this month and helped to guide the production.
“We worked it out so they could do filming here in our beautiful destination, and also not just look at the historic district, which we certainly wanted included, but let people know there are other places to visit,” she told the Tourism Development Council on Tuesday.
Phillips said filming took place in Vilano Beach as well as downtown St. Augustine. The episode, expected to air in December or January, will tell the story of a firefighter and his daughter looking at purchasing a beachfront property.
“This really is going to be a special show,” she said. “We will get repeat episodes out of it. This didn’t cost us anything. I think I paid a little bit of money for some permitting fees, but the county and city folks were phenomenal in helping us turn this around in such a short period of time.”
To give the production a local voice, gregarious St. Augustine Mayor Dylan Rumrell appeared on camera to extol his jurisdiction.
Rumrell said he enjoyed the experience.
“It was wonderful to showcase what a beautiful area we have in St. Johns County, not just Vilano or St. Augustine Beach or the city, but the entire community,” he said.
