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🍦 Farm Visits, Turtles, and Local Fun
Best Things To Do in SRQ: 5/1 - 5/4
Carson B
April 29, 2025
Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!
Did you take advantage of the amazing spring weather this past weekend — maybe some pickleball or a beach day? I know I did.
I was hoping to have the Guide to Outdoor Gems for you all this week, but do some personal stuff getting in the way it’ll have to wait until next week.
Make sure to check in next week for the release of the Guide to Outdoor Gems.
That said, I still have more than enough in store to keep you busy this week. Check it out 👇
In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:
Thanks for reading,
Carson
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📰 Local News
🐢 Turtle season is here: What to Know
What’s new: Sea turtle nesting season officially kicked off on Sarasota County’s beaches. Longboat Key saw its first loggerhead nest of 2025 on April 18, laid by a female that returned to the same beach she nested on in 2023.
Why it matters: Sarasota County hosts one of the densest loggerhead nesting sites in the Gulf of Mexico. Protecting these endangered turtles requires the cooperation of residents and visitors alike.
By the numbers:
Sea turtle nesting runs May 1 to Oct. 31
Last year, Longboat Key saw 1,164 nests, all loggerheads
Mote Marine monitors 35 miles of beaches daily
What’s required:
Lights out: Turn off or shield lights visible from the beach after dark. Artificial light disorients turtles.
Clear the way: Remove beach furniture and fill in holes each evening to avoid hazards for nesting turtles.
Hands off: It’s illegal to touch or disturb sea turtles, hatchlings, or nests. Call Mote’s hotline at 888-404-3922 for stranded or injured turtles.
What they're saying: Mote’s Kaitlyn Hofmann says the team is excited and ready. “Every day they’re surveying the beach by sunrise.”
Zoom out: All five species of sea turtles found in the Gulf are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
🔦 Spotlight Activity: Day Trip to Dakin Dairy Farm
If you haven’t been to Dakin Dairy Farms yet, it’s worth the short drive east. Tucked away in Manatee County, this family-run operation has been going strong since 1973.
It is now one of fewer than 150 dairy farms left in the entire state. What makes Dakin stand out is not just longevity, but their commitment to doing things the right way: sustainably, locally, and transparently.
It’s the only dairy farm in Florida open to the public that produces and bottles its own milk entirely on-site.
Their cows graze on fresh, omega-rich grass year-round, which leads to nutrient-dense milk packed with beta-carotene, vitamin D, and vitamin E.
The flavor is something locals genuinely appreciate, especially the chocolate milk.
Beyond the milk, Dakin is a great spot for families. The farm offers an up-close look at daily operations and plenty of opportunities for kids to meet the animals.
Visitors are also able to do a special chocolate milk tasting!
Dakin Dairy Farms a rare behind-the-scenes experience that gives visitors a genuine feel for where their food comes from.
If you’re looking for a local outing that’s both educational and enjoyable, Dakin delivers.
Thursday
Cultural Crafts
📍Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center | 🕦 9:30am - 12:30pm | 🔗 details
Sarasota County Heritage Awards Ceremony
📍Sarasota Art Museum | 🕦 5pm - 8pm | 🔗 details
John Crist: Jokes For Humans
📍Van Wezel PAC | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Friday
Ride and Paddle at The Bay
📍The Bay Park | 🕦 8:30am | 🔗 details
Beach Blast Trifecta
📍Manasota Beach Park | 🕦 5pm - 7pm | 🔗 details
Family Game Night: That’s My Jam
📍The Green at UTC | 🕦 5pm | 🔗 details
Comedy Show: Ryan Hamilton
📍McCurdy's Comedy Theatre | 🕦 Multiple shows | 🔗 details
Live Music at the Plaza
📍Waterside Place, LWR | 🕦 6pm - 9pm | 🔗 details
Pirates and Friends
📍Fruitville Elementary School | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
Illusionist Rick Thomas
📍Van Wezel PAC | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Country Hits: Songs From Nashville
📍Ed Smith Stadium | 🕦 8pm | 🔗 details
Saturday
Cars & Caffeine
📍19745 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice | 🕦 7am - 10am | 🔗 details
SUP & RUN 5K
📍See details | 🕦 8am - 12pm | 🔗 details
Master Gardener Volunteer Spring Plant Sale
📍IFAS Manatee County Office | 🕦 8am - 12pm | 🔗 details
Classic Corvette Car Show
📍St. Armands Circle | 🕦 9am - 3pm | 🔗 details
Star Wars Day (Crafts & Costumes)
📍Central Library | 🕦 10am - 5pm | 🔗 details
Intro to Pickleball
📍5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, LWR | 🕦 8:30am - 10am | 🔗 details
Wellen Park Fishing Rodeo
📍Wellen Park | 🕦 9am - 12pm | 🔗 details
Plant Clinic
📍Shamrock Park and Nature Center | 🕦 10am - 12pm | 🔗 details
Chicken Egg-sperience
📍Manatee County Ag Museum | 🕦 11am - 1pm | 🔗 details
Space Saturday
📍Bishop Science Museum | 🕦 11am | 🔗 details
Manatee's 4th Annual Taco Fest
📍Manatee County Fairgrounds | 🕦 12pm - 7pm | 🔗 details
Cinco de Mayo Party
📍Casa Masa, LWR | 🕦 3pm - 8pm | 🔗 details
Kentucky Derby Party
📍The Grove, LWR | 🕦 4pm - 7pm | 🔗 details
Intro to Dancing
📍7500 Island Cove Terrace, LWR | 🕦 4pm - 5pm | 🔗 details
Fleetwood Mach Tribute Show
📍Van Wezel PAC | 🕦 7:30pm | 🔗 details
Sunday
Two Guys Gun Show
📍Robarts Arena | 🕦 9am - 3pm | 🔗 details
Downtown Sarasota Spring Craft Fair
📍1 Central Avenue, Sarasota | 🕦 10am - 5pm | 🔗 details
Hungarian Festival
📍Robarts Arena | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details
PLAN AHEAD
Wizard of Oz
📍Sarasota Ballet | 📆 May 17th | 🔗 details
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