Happy May everyone! A big Happy Mother’s Day to all of the fabulous women out there who deserve to be celebrated this Sunday.
We want to be your source for things to do this weekend in Sarasota and the surrounding towns! Do you have an event going on? Let us know what you’re up to by sending us your event so we can feature it on our blog! Just shoot us an email.
Here’s a short list of some of our favorite events and things to do this weekend in Sarasota and the surrounding area!
Friday, May 6 • 5 PM – 8 PM
First Friday Sip & Shop Downtown Sarasota
Downtown Sarasota, 1484 Main St, Sarasota, FL
Eat, drink and shop in historic downtown Sarasota every First Friday of the month! Attendees are invited to Sip & Shop through the downtown event area from 5:00 p.m. – to 8:00 p.m. Participating merchants will have balloons outside their doors to welcome visitors.
Stroll trendy fashion boutiques and art galleries, and experience wine tastings, and carriage rides. There’s something for everyone! Entertainment by: Side Project Duo will perform Beach Country, Light Rock, and other favorites. Enjoy the beachy vibes of MarkoCoconut.com and light rock by Charlie Dilorio.
Here’s a list of some of the participating merchants: Darci | LOTUS Boutique | Eleganza Sarasota | SurgeStyle | Charlotte’s Grace Sarasota | Zemil Jewelers | Soto’s Optical Boutique | Serenity Wellness – Your Sarasota CBD and More Store | The Artful Giraffe | Camilyn Beth and MANY MORE!!! Drink and Dine at El Melvin Sarasota, Brewster’s Tavern, Cafe Amici Sarasota, The Gator Club.
Friday, May 6 – Sunday, May 8
Sarasota Blues and BBQ Festival
Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL
If relaxing, having fun, enjoying good food, and listening to great live music over the weekend are in your plans – you’ll find exactly what you need at the Premiere of the Sarasota Blues & BBQ Festival at Sarasota Fairgrounds in Sarasota, FL.
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS: The fun and relaxation begin Friday evening 4 pm-10 pm and continue through Saturday 11 am-10 pm and Sunday 11 am-6 pm. Admission is $15 on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available Sunday for just $5! The event is produced by Paragon Festivals and hosted by the Sarasota Downtown Enrichment Association.
Saturday, May 7 • 9 AM – 1 PM
YMCA Healthy Community Day
Venice YMCA, 701 Center Road, Venice, FL
YMCA Healthy Community Day is happening this Saturday in Venice! YMCA. Healthy Kids Day® is the Y’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families. YMCAs across the country host free community events aimed to inspire kids to keep their minds and bodies active throughout the summer months.
Your local Venice YMCA activities will focus on healthy well rounded children, art, reading, and physical and mental wellness. All activities are designed to inspire kids to get active while simultaneously teaching families how to develop routines that support mental and physical health at home. The Y has been celebrating healthy kids for 30 years—join us!
Saturday, May 7 • 8 AM – 2 PM
50th Annual Amateur Sand Sculpting Contest
Siesta Key Beach, 948 Beach Rd, Sarasota, FL
Have some fun in the sun and sand as Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources hosts the 44th annual Amateur Sand Sculpture Contest on Siesta Beach on Saturday, May 7.
This free, family-friendly event is open to all ages and all amateur skill levels. Cash prizes are sponsored by the Friends of Sarasota County Parks and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and are awarded to first-, second-and third-place finishers in the adult (individual), adult (team), children (10 years old and younger), and youth (11-17 years old) categories and one overall people’s choice winner.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on May 7 on Siesta Beach near the yellow lifeguard stand, where participants will be assigned a 10-foot-by-10-foot square. Judging begins at 1 p.m., and awards are presented at 2 p.m. Spectators are invited to vote for the people’s choice award.
Siesta Beach, recently rated the No. 1 beach in the United States, is located at 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key. There is no rain date for this event. For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net.
Sunday, May 8 • 10 AM- 2 PM
Weekly Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, Island Cove Terrace Sarasota, FL
Our new market location can’t be beet! #YourSundayTradition has moved to its new home, Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch. Shop local every Sunday with 75+ local vendors including organic produce, flowers, specialty spices & rubs, honey, fresh bread, baked goods, prepared foods, pet products, jewelry, and more. Spend your Sunday mornings lakeside while enjoying a variety of local musicians, live chef demos in partnership with the MTC Culinary Arts program, and an interactive art corner for kids in partnership with Native Little Ones.
Sunday, May 8 • 11 AM – 3 PM
Sunday Funday at the Artful Giraffe
The Artful Giraffe, 1861 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL
Join us on the 2nd Sunday every month for Sunday Fundays! IT’S GOING TO BE AN ARTFUL GOOD TIME! Enjoy live music, food trucks, raffles, and more! This is a great opportunity to support local artists and businesses in the Historic Downtown District.
Tap into your creative side and browse through a vast collection of fine art and handmade one-of-a-kind gifts! From shopping to creating you can unleash your inner artist with ceramic painting and other fun activities. A portion of the proceeds is donated to local charities and organizations.
Let us know what you’re up to this weekend in Sarasota, we’d love to hear from you! What do you like to do over the weekend in Siesta Key? Do you have any hip happenings to share with us? We would love to hear … email me at [email protected].
