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Sarasota Calendar of EventsA sleepy beach side retirement community - NOT! The Sarasota Calendar of Events will keep you planning and running. With so many fun things to do, the choices are yours; do a lot, do a little, do nothing! Here is a run down of Sarasota happenings throughout the year on my Sarasota Calendar of Events; fun things to do around the Sarasota Suncoast for free or inexpensively! (Dates, times and locations subject to change without notice.)
January
Want to see some great looking motorcycles? How about go to a barbecue and dance the first weekend of January? Or what about hopping aboard your own bike and winning a cool grand the first weekend of the New Year? It's a fun weekend as the Thunder By The Bay Sarasota Motorcycle Festival kicks starts our Sarasota Calendar of Events for another year!
Click here and see and learn more about the Annual Thunder by the Bay Sarasota Motorcycle Festival.
Originally called the Mystic Eagle Native American Pow Wow and now known as the Sarasota Native American Indian Festival, this outdoor event on our Sarasota Calendar of events usually takes place the last weekend of January at Oscar Scherer State Park on Rt. 41 in Osprey, south of Sarasota. The 2008 dates are January 25, 26, 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. This three day event features cultural events such as: music, storytelling, dancers, food and crafts. Admission to the event is $6 for adults, $4 for kids, children under 5 are free. Admission to the park is included. St. Armands Circle’s Winter Art Festival...Usually held on the last weekend in January on St. Armand’s Circle in Circle Park. The dates are: January 26-27, 2008. Directions: From Sarasota, take Rt. 41 through the bay front/downtown area over John Ringling Bridge (west) to St. Armand’s Circle. Look for parking in the free public parking lots. Circle Park is right in the middle of St. Armands Circle. The Annual Anna Maria Island-Fest is traditionally held on the last Saturday and Sunday of January. This popular annual arts and crafts show was begun in 1996 and runs from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. both days and features the works of artists and crafters from 18 states around the country. With free admission and parking, the Anna Maria Island-Fest is held on Marina Drive at Holmes Beach City Hall Field. February
The 30th annual Siesta Fiesta takes place in Siesta Key Village the weekend of February 2-3, 2008. For years the Fiesta took place the next to last weekend of April as a sort of farewell party for all of our “snowbird” friends from the colder climates of the northern U.S, Canada and afar, who come to be with us in Sarasota throughout the winter season. This year (2008), it has been moved up to February.
Click here and see what’s special at the Siesta Fiesta!
Siesta Key Annual “Siesta Tides” Arts & Crafts Show...This open-air event is scheduled for February 9-10, 2008 with arts and crafts vendors from 15 states displaying their wares for purchase. The show takes place at Siesta Beach at the tennis courts. Admission is free. Valentines Day at the Beach...Our Sarasota Calendar of Events brings you a little love and romance: Renew your wedding vows and say “I Do” all over again on Siesta Key Beach in a non-denominational service. Couples of all ages and length of marriage gather for the annual group renewal of vows, presided over by Sarasota Judge Becky Titus promptly at 6 p.m. It’s a public event and tradition that dates to 1989 and it’s open to all, but you must pre-register by February 12 by calling (941) 861-7275. There's a $2 fee per couple/ages: 18 and up. The Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts is held annually on the third weekend of February. In 2008 those dates are February 16-17. Admission to this, one of the most popular art festivals along the Suncoast here on my Sarasota Calendar of Events, is free. Held along and around Main Street in Downtown Sarasota there's plenty of free parking available on the streets and in the public lots and ramps. Begun in 1988, the festival features life-size sculptures, spectacular paintings, photography and inspired creativity for all to see (and buy!). Saturday and Sunday hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Bradenton is host to the Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival the weekend of February 16-17, 2008. This festival on my Sarasota Calendar of Events, held annually on the third weekend of February in the historic fishing village of Cortez, Florida, celebrates the rich heritage of the area's commercial fishing industry and features two days of marine life exhibits, seafood, crafts booths and live music. The festival runs from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and is located at 12306 46th Avenue in Bradenton. Admission is $2, children under 2 are free. The Venice Italian Feast and Carnival is February 21-24, 2008 at the Venice Airport. This feast and carnival, begun in 1988, features all your Italian favorites from Sausage & Peppers, Meatballs, Pizza Fritta, Cannollis, Calzones, Spaghetti, Ravioli, Chicken and much more. This Sarasota Calendar of Events Fest is four days of food, fun, carnival rides and live entertainment. The Budweiser Clydesdales will make a guest appearance at the Fest on Friday, Feb. 22 from 5 - 8 p.m. Admission to the fest is free. Parking is $3. Food and carnival rides at cost. Starts at 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday. Sponsored by the Italian American Club of Venice. MarchThe first weekend of March, traditionally, is when the Lido Beach Art Fest is held: March 1-2, 2008. This festival, featuring exhibitors selling hand made arts and crafts, takes place in front of the Lido Beach Pavilion. Directions: From downtown Sarasota take the Ringling Bridge to St. Armands and head west toward Lido Beach.Yes there really are Cowboys in Florida! And to prove it we have The Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo on March 7-9, 2008 at the Rodeo Arena in Arcadia, about an hour's drive east of Sarasota. 2008 marks the 80th Anniversary and events include bareback riding, barrel racing and bull riding. Tickets are $25.00 and $20.00 for premium seats (no discounts), and $17.00 for reserved seats ($15.00 until the first day of the rodeo; $10.00 for children 11 and under). 800-749-7633. 124 Heard St. Arcadia, FL. Get more information and buy tickets on line at http://www.arcadiarodeo.com - Official website of the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo. "The Grandaddy Of 'Em All!" Celebrating 80 years of Rodeo Tradition. What would my Sarasota Calendar of Events be without mention of the fair? The Sarasota County Fair runs from March 14-23, 2008 at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds. There are exhibits, Midway rides and fair food! The Fairgrounds are located at 3000 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota. Directions: Take U.S. Rt. 41 to U.S. Rt. 301 (Washington Boulevard S.) and turn east on Ringling Boulevard and follow Ringling Boulevard to just east of Tuttle Avenue. If you can't get enough of arts and crafts festivals, my Sarasota Calendar of Events has this one for you: the Annual Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival. It started in 2002 and takes place annually on the last Saturday and Sunday of March on Main Street in downtown Sarasota with about 200 "crafters" participating. Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free both days. Sarasota Calendar of EventsAprilApril 5-6, 2008 brings the first ever Ocean Boulevard Arts and Craft Festival to Siesta Key Village on Siesta Key. (This was when Siesta Fiesta had usually been held in prior years. Siesta Fiesta was moved in 2008 to the month of February. See my February Calendar above). Hoped to become an annual event, the first Ocean Boulevard Arts and Craft Festival will present a range of artists different from those appearing at the annual Siesta Fiesta. This festival will feature fine art and food (and they hope to add fine wines eventually). 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free.
Want to go hunting for Shark tooth fossils? Want a simple and inexpensive way to do it? Then attend the Annual Venice Sharks Tooth Festival on the Airport Festival Grounds in Venice, Florida, April 11-13, 2008. Admission is only $3 and kids under 12 are free and there's even free parking at this Sarasota Calendar of Events Festival. There's fossils, food, arts and crafts, entertainment and children's activities. What more could you ask for?
More on the Venice Sharks Tooth Festival from the Sarasota Calendar of Events.
If you'd like to get back to nature under the beautiful sunshine-filled Florida sky, my Sarasota Calendar of Events has just the event: Earth Day at Oscar Scherer State Park. Traditionally marked, annually, on the third Sunday of April, admission to one of the most popular of Sarasota Parks is free. And with so many events scheduled, sites to see and nature and wildlife to enjoy, you can probably fill the entire day's schedule from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Click here for a look at Oscar Scherer State Park Earth Day events!
MayThe 2nd Annual Pirate Coast Dive Festival takes place May 1 - May 3, 2009 at Siesta Public Beach on Siesta Key. Featuring seminars, exhibitors, food, music and pirates, the festival is also a benefit for Marine Laboratory Dive Operations.
Bring your pail, shovel, sunglasses and creativity to Siesta Key Public Beach on the first Saturday of May (05/02/09) for the Annual Siesta Sand Sculpture Contest. The contest is held near the Pavilion on the beautiful white sandy Siesta Public Beach. Free and open to all ages of participation, the Siesta Sand Sculpture Contest also awards five cash prizes and is one of our very popular happenings for both locals and visitors on our Sarasota Calendar of Events.
See and read more about the Siesta Sand Sculpture Contest.
My Sarasota Calendar of Events' schedule of Memorial Day Parades on Monday, Memorial Day: Sarasota: 10:00 a.m. starting at Main Street and Osprey Avenue in downtown Sarasota. Venice: 10:00 a.m. starting at Veterans Park at the west end of Venice Avenue. Attend a parade and remember and honor those many heroes who have given so much to secure the freedoms we today take for granted here in the U.S. Our Sarasota Calendar of Events is loaded with arts and crafts shows. Here's another one: The Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival takes place May 31 - June 1, 2008 with more than 100 talented crafters displaying their wares on Main Street in downtown Sarasota. From baskets to homemade soaps to jewelry and much more, it's a craft browser's delight! Take your hat or a good sun shade and enjoy!
JuneThe St. Armand's Annual Craft Festival is held around circle park June 14 -15, 2008. You may view and purchase all kinds of artistic works from paintings to jewelry, ceramics, pottery and much more. It's a fun event to stroll along through and look at all the uniquely creative ideas on display. St. Armand's Circle is just over the Ringling Bridge from downtown Sarasota. It's free and there's lots of free parking too. It's from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days.Our Sarasota Calendar of Events summer schedule also features the Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival June 21 - 22, 2008. Traditionally held on the third Saturday and Sunday of June in downtown Venice, Florida, the hours for the free event are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Located at Centennial Park on West Venice Avenue.
One of the biggest Sarasota happenings of the year on our Sarasota Calendar of Events is the Suncoast Offshore Racing Festival. The Festival is held annually. This year's festival dates are June 28 through July 6, 2008 with race day being Sunday July 6, 2008. This race between million-dollar cigarette boats off one of our finest Gulf of Mexico Beaches is one of the must-see Sarasota happenings. You don't need a ticket for the races and you can come as you are. It's smokin' hot!
More on the Suncoast Offshore Racing Festival from the Sarasota Calendar of Events.
Sarasota Calendar of EventsJulyThe Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Festival Parade of Boats takes place Thursday evening, July 3, 2008 at 7 p.m. The parade route is along Main Street in downtown Sarasota and will feature the race teams along with their powerboats that will be featured in the July 6th offshore race off Lido Beach.
Our Sarasota Calendar of Events Celebrates America’s Independence Day, The Fourth of July! The Sarasota Suncoast puts on as festive of an occasion as anywhere else in the good ole USA. There are fireworks displays up and down the coast, from beach to shining beach! All fireworks displays start around dusk, of course, and all can be viewed by land as well as some by sea. (Please note: schedules may change and weather conditions may force cancellation of events.)
Click here for a list of free events and fireworks displays around the Sarasota Suncoast!
OctoberThe St. Armand's Circle Annual Art Festival, which began in 1988, is usually held on the 2nd Saturday and Sunday of October around Circle Park. Usually held under sunny skies, with warm temperatures in the 80's, this outdoor Sarasota Calendar of Events festival is attended by thousands of art lovers who come to see and buy the works of artists from around the nation. Admission is free, as is parking, where you can find it. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Directions: From Sarasota, take Rt. 41 through the bay front/downtown area over John Ringling Bridge (west) to St. Armand’s Circle. Look for parking in the free public parking lots. Circle Park is right in the middle of St. Armands Circle.My Sarasota Calendar of Events tries to have a little something for everyone, so whether or not you have a green thumb you'll find lots of plants to select from for your home at the Sarasota Master Gardeners sponsored 4th Annual Plant Sale on October 11, 2008. Rain or shine from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Free admission and all proceeds go to Sarasota Master Gardeners, a volunteer organization, in their effort to provide educational outreach programs & community gardening projects in Sarasota County. Location: Bee Ridge Park, 4430 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota Beginning on the last Friday evening of October and taking place on every fourth Friday evening of the month, running through May, St Armands Circle hosts Smooth Jazz free concerts featuring some of the top recording artists out of the Tampa area. The free concerts take place on Circle Park, in the middle of St. Armands Circle. Bring your lawn chairs and a laid back attitude! Directions: From Sarasota, take Rt. 41 through the bay front/downtown area over John Ringling Bridge (west) to St. Armand’s Circle. Look for parking in the free public parking lots. Circle Park is right in the middle of St. Armands Circle.
NovemberThe Annual Sarasota Blues Festival takes place at the Ed Smith Stadium Complex on Field 1 on November 1, 2008. Gates open at 11 a.m. for 10 hours of live Blues, which begins at noon. The 2008 headliner: 3 Time 2008 Blues Music Award Winner & Blues Hall Of Famer, Bobby Rush. The Sarasota Blues Fest was started in 1990 and over the years has featured: Buddy Guy, Delbert McClinton, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers and many more Blues greats. While my Sarasota Calendar of Events' main focus is on free or inexpensive events, the Blues Fest does cost a little more. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the show and can be purchased in advance at all Ticketmaster locations and at Carl Black GMC at 5517 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Children under 10 accompanied by a paying adult are free. There's food, beer and refreshments available. Bring your lawn chair and blanket and enjoy the day. Directions: From Sarasota, take U.S. Rt. 41 to U.S. Rt. 301 (Washington Boulevard N.) to 12th street and turn east. The Ed Smith Stadium complex is located at 12th Street and Tuttle Avenue in Sarasota. Recorded Info Line: 941-954-4101 xt 5454
The Venice Art Fest, originally begun in 1987, takes place (usually) the first Saturday and Sunday of November. This open air, outdoor event is held in Historic Downtown Venice, on west Venice Avenue. With free admission for all, the Fest takes place from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day and features the works of over 150 artists. The weather in Sarasota and along the gulf coast is usually perfect for the Venice Art Fest.
Click here to learn more about about this annual fest.
The Venice, Florida Holiday Entertainment and Parade traditionally takes place the Saturday evening after Thanksgiving Day. Started in 1975, the Annual Parade steps off at 7 p.m. on the streets of Historic Downtown Venice. One of the biggest Holiday Parades along the Suncoast, the Venice Holiday Entertainment and Parade is expected to draw 40,000 viewers and will feature Santa Claus and over 100 floats and performers. Pre-parade entertainment begins at 5 p.m. in the Downtown Venice area. Seasonal evening temperatures can range from the 60s to the 70s. It's best to bring a sweater, sweatshirt or lightweight jacket. Roads in the parade route close at 3 p.m. December
The Sarasota Holiday Parade usually takes place in downtown Sarasota on the first Saturday evening of December. With thousands participating and even more thousands viewing, the parade kicks off at 7 p.m. with decorated floats, live marching bands and the guest of honor "rounding" out the parade, Santa Claus. The Parade route runs along Main Street.
Click here to read more about and see pictures of the Sarasota Holiday Parade.
The Venice Christmas Boat Parade is traditionally held on the first Saturday of December along the Intercoastal Waterway in Venice from the North Jetty south to the Circus Bridge. Spectators line the north (at South Nokomis Beach) and south (at North Venice Beach) jetties or the downtown Venice waterfront area for a view of the brightly lit and colorfully decorated “Christmas Boats.” Admission is free. Park wherever you can find a spot near the the jetties in Venice or at South Nokomis Beaches' Jetty Park or along the waterway in Venice. 
The Annual Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights is another popular "to do" on my Sarasota Calendar of Events. The parade was started in 1986 and usually takes place the second Saturday evening of December, starting around 6 p.m. The boat parade starts from City Island and will be just enough to help put you in the spirit of the season.
Click here for pictures and the best place from which to view the boat parade.
Begun in 1995, the Annual Fallfest Arts & Crafts Show is held at Phillippi Estate Park, usually, on the second Saturday and Sunday of December. With artists and craftsmen coming from 12 states this is a good opportunity to find those special hand made holiday gifts. Time: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. both days. Admission and parking are both free. Directions: Take U.S. Rt 41/Tamiami Trail to just south of Proctor Road at Constitution Boulevard. Phillippi Estate Park is at 5500 S. Tamiami Trail. New Years Eve - The Annual Pineapple Drop...Our Sarasota Calendar of Events wraps up a year long run of fun events and festivals with The Pineapple Drop at Midnight on New Years’ Eve in Downtown Sarasota at the Main Street New Year’s Eve Party. With live bands, refreshments from assorted street vendors, venues for kids and free admission, it's a fun and safe way to close out the old year and ring in the new one. Located at Lemon and Main Streets in Downtown Sarasota, this fun family affair kicks off at 7 p.m. on December 31. Happy New Year!
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