Area Statistics - Events/Attractions and More!

Area Statistics:

Area Events

Farmer’s Market

Saturday downtown Sarasota, 7 am- 12 noon

The Farmer’s Market offers locally grown, and organic produce in addition to a unique variety of vendors. Shop for plants, pasta, unique gifts and more.

Siesta Key Farmer’s Market

Sunday for 7am-12 noon in the village/Davidson Drugs parking lot, 5124 Ocean Blvd.

www.siestafarmersmarket.ocm

Siesta Key Farmers Market offers spring greens, herbs, and a variety of produce. Local organic products with area restaurants serving farm fresh items from their menus.

Palm Avenue's First Friday Walks

First Fridays of every month from 6-9 pm

Palm Avenue, Sarasota

Enjoy a stroll through the galleries of Palm Avenue and along lower Main Street known for its unique variety of shops and restaurants.

Siesta Key Drum Circle

South of the public beach pavilion – Just Follow the Music!

Feel the beat of the drums Sunday evenings, beginning about an hour before sundown. Instrauments ranging from drums, flutes, guitars, shakers, and cowbells create the circle.

Be a part of the audience or participate with music and dance.

Siesta Fiesta

April 25-26, 2009

Siesta Fiesta is a block party located in the Village of Siesta Key. Siesta Fiesta features hundreds of artisans, craftsmen, jewelry makers, sculptors, and more in the juried show. Local musicians enhance the food and fun.

Siesta Sandsculpturing Contest

May 2, 2009, 9am-1 pm Registration begins at 8:30 am

Located on Siesta Public Beach, south of the pavilion. Register to participate, or walk through the magnificent sand sculptures of castles, sea life, pop culture and more.

Sarasota Jazz Festival

March 1-7, 2009

Festival kicks off with Jazz in the Park with performances by several bankds. Various artists perform throughout the week at Holley Hall. For more information, please contact www.jazzclubsarasota.com

Sarasota Film Festival

March 27-April 5, 2009

www.sarasotafilmfestival.com

The Sarasota Film Festival is a 10 -day film celebration in Sarasota featuring independent films. The festival also brings in well-known actors and actresses that attend not only the film screenings, but also the various parties around town.

Florida Winefest & Auction

April 23-April 26, 2009

www.floridawinefest.com

The Florida Winefest & Auction is a celebration of fine wine and food and has been recognized as one of the largest events of its kind in the U.S. It has also been recognized as one of the top charity wine events of its kind in the Southeast U.S., serving the needs of disadvantaged children and youth in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Suncoast Offshore

June 27-July 5, 2009

The Suncoast Offshore is a powerboat race benefiting the Florida Center for Child & Family Services. It is one of Sarasota’s largest events and attracts hundreds of thousands of people to our area.

Week-long events include a Golf Tournament, Kickoff Party, Fishing Tournament, World’s Largest Offshore Party, Festival Parade of Boats, Downtown Block Party and numerous other events around town.

The race itself, The Annual Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Boat Race is on Sunday, July 5^th, with heats at 11 am and 1 pm. The best are for viewing is at Lido Beach.

Area Attractions

Florida West Coast Symphony

709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

941.953.4252

www.fwcs.org

The Sarasota Opera

61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota

941.366.8450

www.sarasotaopera.org

Sarasota Ballet

5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

941.552.1032