The Sarasota Boat Races - Powerboat Grand Prix AND the Suncoast Summer Festival!

Sarasota Offshore Boat Racing
July 1 - 2, 2023

Suncoast Summer Festival
June 23 - July 4, 2023

Saturday and Sunday July 1 - 2, 2023
Offshore racing takes place off Lido Key Saturday and Sunday (See schedule below)
Best Viewing of Sarasota Boat Races is off Lido Beach
Suncoast Summer Festival Events Schedule Below
(* Event schedules subject to change without prior notice due to event planners, weather, etc.)

The first Sarasota Boat Races, called the Suncoast Offshore Racing Grand Prix, took place in 1984 and have become an annual event for thrill seekers and offshore boat racing enthusiasts. Now called the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. 2023 marks its 39th Anniversary.  More details on the race here.

Offshore racing at Lido Beach

Smoke on the Water...off Sarasota's Lido Beach. There's also the Suncoast Summer Festival with a number of fun activities for charities.

A few of the more popular events of the Suncoast Summer festival and Off Shore P1 Grand Prix Boat races

  • June 23, 2023: Don't miss the 7th Annual Bob Rizi Memorial Golf Classic at The Meadows Country Club! This iconic golf tournament benefits Suncoast Charities for Children and fills up fast. The Meadows Country Club, 3101 Longmeadow, Sarasota, FL.
  • June 28, 2023: It's private and by invitation only, the Friendliest Catch Fishing Tournament for the physically and mentally challenged sponsored by Suncoast Charities for Children.
  • June 30, 2023: The Suncoast Summer Festival's “Waves & Wheels" Party will feature live music by "Hurricane Shane," one of the Tampa Bay Ultimate Party Bands, which is sure to heat up the dance floor. Complimentary food, full open bar, casino style gaming tables and raffle! Joyland, 8341 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL
  • June 30, 2023: The The 39th Annual Sarasota P1 Offshore Powerboat Grand Prix will kick off at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening with a Pit Party featuring live music from Andy Velo, live remote radio broadcast, food trucks and local vendors. There will also be the opportunity to meet the race teams and view the boats up-close. The party in the pits is FREE. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 
  • July 1, 2023: Participate by boat, motorcycle or car in the Suncoast Summer Festival's “Waves & Wheels” Fun Run! The Run will start at Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL., and will stop at participating locations accessible by land or sea. Each registered participant will can earn points by visiting the participating locations. At the last stop, your points will be tallied and the top five winners will receive a prize! Registration is from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
  • July 1 - 2, 2023: Saturday: Racing on the 6-mile course at Lido Beach will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, with the qualifying session for the exhilarating Class 1 powerboats at 2:00 p.m. Sunday the action will get underway at 10:00 a.m. with the fleet of Class 1 boats on the water at 1:00 p.m.. off spectacular Lido Beach, 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Sarasota, FL.
  • July 1 - 2, 2022: VIP hospitality tickets offering superb viewing from the beach front hospitality tent on both race days are available from the P1 Offshore website
  • July 2, 2023: Awards. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Van Wezel (Auditorium) Pits. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 
  • July 4, 2023:  Suncoast Summer Festival's Fireworks over Sarasota Bay, Island Park, Bayfront, Downtown Sarasota, FL. Free. 9 p.m.
  • August 26, 2023: The Suncoast Summer Festival's  Casino Night. Tickets: $75 per person/$125 per couple. Includes $1,000 in free chips, lite bites, and 2 drink tickets. 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sarasota Event Center, 600 N. Beneva Rd., Sarasota, FL.

The Need for speed…The real stars of the Suncoast Race, of course, are the offshore racing boats, some of which reach speeds of over 100 mph on the straight-aways of this six and a half mile long race course off Lido Key Beach.

This Offshore Boat Racing Spectacle is absolutely free to attend and open to the public...you won't find any ticket sellers and ticket takers here!


Protected by Copyscape

There has even been a "Miss Super Boat Grand Prix” Bikini Contest as part of the Grand Prix Fan Fest in the past. The contest has been an "on again, off again" event with the festival and may return in the future. We keep the page on line as a tribute to the past with hopes that it returns in the future.

The Sarasota Boat Races and Suncoast Summer Festival is one of the biggest and most high profile annual occasions on my Sarasota Events Calendar.

Feel the Power...And while offshore boat racing is underway it seems there is another race going on overhead, as numerous helicopters swoop over the offshore racing boats, keeping a watchful eye out for marine animals, as well as an eye on the boats and drivers, with emergency divers and medical staff aboard the copters for quick medical response in case of a mishap on the water.

Offshore racing fesival Sarasota

A view to a thrill…The best place to view the sites of the Sarasota Boat Races, The Suncoast Offshore Racing Grand Prix, is from Lido Key Beach, as the race course runs from New Pass (north of Lido Key/south of Longboat Key) to Big Pass (south of Lido Key/north of Siesta Key). Lined up along Lido Public Beach, you’ll be able to see every bit of offshore power boat racing at it’s finest.




Offshore powerboat racing off Sarasota Florida

Hear the Roar...Offshore power boat racing is an awesome spectacle to witness and the Sarasota Boat Races can attract crowds numbering 50,000 along Lido Beach. While crowds may be large (as well as enthusiastically estimated!) it is spread out, friendly and quite comfortable, especially in the 90-plus degree heat. And with the water right in front of you, many spectators choose to kill two birds with one stone by staying cool in the water while watching the offshore races from…offshore!


Protected by Copyscape
Offshore boat racing fans

It’s a festive atmosphere up and down Lido Beach from as early as 5 a.m. - 6 a.m. when the most die-hard of the fans arrive early for good parking spots and to stake out their position on the beach for what they think will be the best vantage point to see the offshore racing boats. 

Offshore racing on Lido Key Beach Florida

But, despite the crowds, there are plenty of places on the beach or in the water from which to get a great view of the race.




The beach is filled with brightly colored umbrellas and picnic shades, along with offshore boat racing fans that bring grills that fill the beach side with the aromas of hamburgers, hot dogs and other barbecue grilled treats.


Here's a short video about the Sarasota Boat Races:

(Speakers on!)


It all resembles a giant tailgate style party with friendly fans, food, fun and the fastest offshore racing boats on water!





Offshore racing fans on Lido Beach

Sarasota restaurants on the water

Tips: While parking along Ben Franklin Drive (the beach side street) and at the Lido Beach Public parking lot fills up early and fast, there is still plenty of parking at the free lots around St. Armand’s circle. And it's a close enough walk to the Sarasota Boat Races on Lido Key Beach. If you do park at one of St. Armand’s free parking lots, be prepared for a walk to the beach, and at the end of June/early July it can be a really hot walk, although it’s only a few blocks.

Protected by Copyscape
Offshore power boat racing off Lido Beach Florida

Alternate Idea: (The first year I attended the Sarasota Boat Races a friend and I put our two bikes on a bike carrier on his SUV, parked on the other side of St. Armand's Circle and bicycled to the beach. But we traveled lightly, without coolers and conveniences! Although one could always ride with a backpack on or carry a small portable cooler along.)




More Tips: Bring a cooler (on wheels, if you’ll be walking a few blocks) with food and drinks, a sun umbrella and beach chairs, lots of sunscreen and a hat to protect your head and face from the sun’s direct rays and a camera and/or binoculars so you can get an even better view of the Suncoast offshore racers. Clothing: Wear light-weight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothes or a swimsuit and t-shirt.

Remember: this is Florida in late June and early July. It’s sunny. It’s hot. I’ve seen reports of peoples’ hair catching on fire, although I’ve been unable to personally confirm those reports! Take appropriate precautions for you and your family as far as the heat and sun go.

Offshore boat racing off Lido Key Beach

By the way, over the years, proceeds from the Sarasota Boat Races Offshore Racing Grand Prix Festival have provided over $20 million dollars for the construction of facilities serving physically and mentally challenged individuals. That’s a good thing!

More on the Sarasota P1 Offshore Grand Prix

More on the Suncoast Summer Fest.

Offshore racing fans off Lido Beach Florida

Directions: To get to Lido Key Beach from Sarasota take Rt. 41 through the bay front/downtown area to the John Ringling Bridge. Go over the bridge (southwest) to St. Armand’s Circle and bear to the left around the Circle (west) toward Lido Key Beach. Turn left (south) on to Ben Franklin Drive and look for parking spots on the street or at the Lido Key Beach public parking lot, south on Ben Franklin Drive. If no parking is available, double back to St. Armand’s Key and look for free parking lots around the rear of the shops on St Armand’s Circle (look for the free parking signs around the Circle).








Protected by Copyscape

To June Sarasota Events

To July Sarasota Events

Sarasota Boat Races to Sarasota Events Calendar Main Page.

Escape-to-Sarasota-Florida Home





Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.
SARASOTA WEATHER

Site Sponsors

 

 

Entertainment.com

 

 

 

Discovery Cove

Featured Pages

spring-training-promo-graphic-2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking For a Hot Time After Dinner?
Check Out Our
Sarasota Bars and Clubs Guide

 

 

What other Web Visitors are Saying....

"John, your site is excellent! I am coming home from Afghanistan in 2 weeks and discussed with my wife where to go when I get home. We looked from Winter Haven to Tarpon Springs. This site made the choice for us. You have all the information we need in a perfect format. You have set the bar very high." -- David D, Florida

"Just stumbled upon your website and thought I'd send you a shout out. The site is marvelous. My girlfriend and I are paying a visit to Sarasota. It's one thing to hear good things on the Travel Channel; it's another to hear from a real person with real opinions. Thanks for all the info!" -- Brad, Michigan, US

"I just wanted to let you know I thoroughly enjoy reading what you have to say about Sarasota and the fun things to do here. I just recently moved to Sarasota and I am still looking for things to do. I find your site to be very helpful. Thank you for all the work you put into this site, for all of us to enjoy." -- Donna P, Sarasota, FL

"Wow! What a great way to represent our community! I love your site! I can look on here and see what's happening! And we know, there is ALWAYS something happening in Sarasota!" -- Heather P, Sarasota, FL

"Very glad I found your website.....this is a great website...will use it often & let friends know about it."  -- Jayne S, Bradenton, FL

"As a visitor to Siesta Key from the UK, I would just like to say what an excellent source of information your website is. Thanks & please keep it up" -- Chris M, United Kingdom

"Thank you for a great website. Keep up the great work!" -- Carole W, Newburgh, NY

"Cool site" -- Pat W, Massachusetts