This is the weekend October has been building toward. Between Friday the 16th and Sunday the 18th, you can do a Venice festival, a downtown art show, an island art show, two tribute concerts, and still have time for a bayfront Halloween party. From my base in Palmer Ranch, every one of these is an easy drive, and the cooler air makes this the best stretch of the month to be out in it.
Sun Fiesta in Venice: The Centennial Bed Races
The 53rd Sun Fiesta takes over Centennial Park in downtown Venice Friday through Sunday, and this year the Saturday morning bed races roll down Venice Avenue under the theme "Running for 100 Years of Venice Celebration." The same day brings the Miss Sun Fiesta Pageant and the Venice's Got Talent showcase, with live music, arts and crafts vendors, and food, beer and wine tents filling the weekend. It is pure small-town energy, and admission is free.
Two Art Festivals, Two Ways to Spend a Saturday
Up in Sarasota, the 30th Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival fills Five Points Park Saturday and Sunday with juried makers, ceramics, jewelry and fiber in the festival's 30th year. Across the bridge, the St. Armands Fall Festival of the Arts turns the Circle into an open-air gallery the same two days, a lovely slow lap of the boutiques and sidewalk cafes on St. Armands. And if you want a music close to the bayfront, Take 6 brings Saturday Night Jazz to The Venue on Saturday evening.
An Evening on the Water, Then a Halloween Warm-Up
Boo! at The Bay brings trick-or-treating, free pumpkin picking and a movie under the stars to the bayfront on Saturday, while the Venice Night Market & Music Halloween Edition fills Maxine Barritt Park with live music, food trucks and costume fun for kids and pets from 5 to 10. On the stage side, Sophisticated Ladies runs at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe through Sunday, and the Van Wezel pairs Rumours of Fleetwood Mac on Saturday night with an ABBA tribute on Sunday.
How I'd Pace the Weekend
If you want to feel the season, try this: bed races and festival tents in Venice on Saturday morning, a lazy afternoon wandering the craft festival in Five Points Park, then Boo! at The Bay and dinner on the Blue Sunshine Patio at Marina Jacks as the sun goes down. Sunday is made for the farmers market on Lemon Avenue, a tribute concert at the Van Wezel, and a sunset walk on Siesta sand. My full season calendar is in the Community Events guide, and I update it as dates firm up.
If you are visiting to research a move, this is a wonderful weekend to feel the pace of the place between tours. Reach out and I will help you build a plan, festivals and all.