Mid-August weekends on the Gulf Coast are a wonderful blend of familiar traditions and new discoveries. The Saturday morning farmers market is at its peak with summer produce, the Sunday LWR Market at Waterside Place has become a favorite new tradition, CoolToday Park keeps the live music going at the Tiki Bar, and the Art Ovation Hotel hosts a complimentary IMPROV game show night on Sundays. Here is your guide to the weekend of August 15-17 and beyond.
Sarasota Farmers Market: Summer Produce at Its Peak
Every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Sarasota Farmers Market fills Lemon Avenue and Main Street downtown with more than 80 vendors offering fresh produce, artisan goods, and prepared foods. This time of year, the market is absolutely bursting with Florida summer produce. Look for sweet corn, vine-ripened tomatoes, mangoes, peaches, figs, fresh herbs, and the first of the local cantaloupes. The summer stone fruit season is winding down but still going strong.
Beyond produce, the market features local honey, fresh-baked bread, handmade pasta, and artisan cheeses. The live acoustic music sets a relaxed pace, and there is plenty of shaded seating if you want to enjoy a breakfast pastry and coffee on the spot. The market is about 15 minutes north of Palmer Ranch up US-41. I like to arrive early, around 8 a.m., when the selection is best and the temperature is still comfortable. Parking is available in the Lemon Avenue garage for a small fee.
LWR Sunday Market at Waterside Place
A newer addition to the weekend market scene, the LWR Market at Waterside Place (1651 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch) runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and has quickly become a community staple. Set along the lakefront at the mixed-use Waterside Place development, this market features local farmers, artisan food vendors, craft makers, and live music. It is a smaller, more intimate market than the downtown Sarasota one, but the setting is beautiful and the vibe is relaxed.
Waterside Place itself has become a dining and social destination for the entire Palmer Ranch corridor. After browsing the market, I recommend grabbing brunch at Freckled Fin or Ford's Garage, or picking up a coffee from Overture Coffee and walking the lakefront path. I covered the Waterside Place dining scene in more detail in my Waterside Place review. The Sunday market runs through the summer and is a wonderful way to spend a weekend morning.
Live Music at CoolToday Park
CoolToday Park in North Port (1881 South West Villages Parkway) is wrapping up its summer entertainment series at the Tomahawk Tiki Bar & Grill. On Friday, August 21 from 1 to 4 p.m., the Music Box Duo performs live at the Tiki Bar. The outdoor setting, with the ballpark beyond and the tiki bar under shade, makes for a relaxed afternoon outing.
CoolToday Park is the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves, and during the off-season it transforms into a community gathering space. The Tiki Bar events are free to attend, and the food menu features ballpark classics plus Florida-style offerings. It is about 25 minutes south of Palmer Ranch, but the drive down US-41 through Venice and North Port is scenic and straightforward. If you have not been to CoolToday Park yet, summer is a great time to discover it.
IMPROV: 70's Game Show at Art Ovation Hotel
Every Sunday at 6 p.m., the Art Ovation Hotel (1255 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota) hosts a complimentary IMPROV: 70's Game Show in partnership with Florida Studio Theatre. The show combines improv comedy with retro game show elements, and it is a fun, low-key way to spend a Sunday evening. The hotel's lobby bar serves craft cocktails and small plates, and the event is free to attend.
The Art Ovation Hotel has become a cultural hub in downtown Sarasota, with its rotating artist-in-residence program, rooftop bar with city views, and regular performance events. If you come early, you can explore the current art exhibition in the lobby gallery or grab a drink on the rooftop before the show. The hotel's central location on North Palm Avenue has ample parking in the nearby garage. It is a perfect Sunday evening destination after a day at the farmers market or the beach.
Ongoing Events Worth Your Time
A few other events to keep on your radar:
- Songbirds of the Seventies at Florida Studio Theatre's Gompertz Theatre runs through September 6. This cabaret celebrating Carole King, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, and Linda Ronstadt is a must-see. Read more in my earlier post.
- Scott Curts at Marina Jacks on Thursday, August 13 from 5 to 9 p.m. on the Blue Sunshine Patio. Live music and waterfront dining, one of my favorite evening combinations.
- The Saturday Sarasota Farmers Market continues every week through summer and fall. It is a year-round tradition that never gets old.
- Looking ahead, the Music on Main series in Lakewood Ranch returns with performances on the first Friday of September. Mark your calendar!
There is always something happening on the Gulf Coast, and I love being able to share these discoveries with you. If you are considering a move to the area, browse the Palmer Ranch communities or reach out to start a conversation. I would be happy to help you find your place here.