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🍦 Fireworks for the Fourth & Family Fun
Best Things To Do in SRQ: 7/3 - 7/6
Carson B
July 01, 2025
Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!
I’ve always have been a bit of an American History nerd, so celebrating the 4th of July is one of my favorite weekends of the year. Grilling, fireworks, town parades, and all the rest!
Here’s your fun fact to share at the BBQ — John Adams & Thomas Jefferson both died within hours of each other…on July 4th 1826 (50 year anniversary of independence!).
In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:
Thanks for reading,
Carson
🧠 Think You Know Sarasota? Trivia!
Last week, not many people got the question right. Congrats to those that did!
If you didn’t know, here’s the quick history…
The El Vernona Hotel was originally owned by developer Owen Burns, who named the hotel for his wife. After the stock market crash of 1929, John Ringling bought the property and renamed the hotel after himself.
After some years as a hotel, then an apartment complex, the building was finally razed in 1998 to make way for the Sarasota Ritz-Carolton.
Better luck this week!
Which bright yellow flowering tree, officially designated as the City of Sarasota’s tree, is often mistaken for the “gold tree”? |
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📰 Local Headline Roundup
Longboat Key’s Incoming Police Chief
Last week, Russ Mager, fresh off a 29-year run in Delray Beach, introduced himself to the Town Commission. He told them he is big on relationships and sees his job as making their jobs easier. Chosen from more than 75 applicants, Mager officially takes over on Aug. 4 while Deputy Chief Frank Rubino holds the fort. Town Manager Howard Tipton likes that Mager knows beachfront policing and hurricane prep. In Delray, stalled union talks had leaders lamenting the loss of a chief praised for integrity and steady leadership. Longboat leaders welcomed him warmly and highlighted last year’s contract boosts of about 30 percent that keep the department competitive and well rated in citizen surveys.
Backpacks Stuffed for Boys & Girls Club Kids
The annual “Stuff the Backpack” drive, sparked a decade ago when organizer Jessica Seper saw just three donated packs, hit a new record on June 26 at Gold Coast Eagle. A twenty-dollar sponsorship filled each bag with pencils, notebooks, folders and more. Half the packs roll to Manatee County, the rest to Sarasota and DeSoto, all courtesy of community donations capped by presenting sponsor Sarasota Ford. Builders often get tagged as the bad guys, Seper joked, but this lightning-fast hour of packing showed their hearts are every bit as big as their projects
⭐️ Featured Event: Family Fun Parade
There are DOZENS of great ways to celebrate the 4th this year in Sarasota.
Before catching fireworks at night, stop by for some family fun at the Family Fun Parade, hosted by the Sarasota Farmers Market.
Thursday
Agents of Discovery
📍Pinecraft Park | 🕦 9am | 🔗 details
LWRBA School Supply Drive
📍8131 Lakewood Main Street | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Bingo Night
📍Peculiar Pub | 🕦 5pm | 🔗 details
Sarasota Concert Band
📍 Waterside Place | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
Fireworks on the Lake
📍Nathan Benderson Park | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details
Friday
LBK Freedom Fest
📍Bicentennial Park | 🕦 9am | 🔗 details
Light Up Lemon Bay
📍Blind Pass Beach Park | 🕦 9pm | 🔗 details
Anna Maria Privateers 4th of July Parade
📍Bradenton Beach | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Fourth of July All-American Cookout
📍Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota | 🕦 5:30pm | 🔗 details
Fireworks in a Bottle
📍Sarasota Children's Garden | 🕦 11am | 🔗 details
Star-Spangled Spectacular
📍Waterside Place | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
4th July Warehouse Party
📍1810 Seeds Ave, Sarasota | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
4th Weekend Pool Party
📍Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar, Sarasota | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details
Siesta Key Community Fireworks
📍Siesta Key Beach | 🕦 8pm | 🔗 details
Saturday
Bug-Off: Bioblitz
📍Urfer Family Park | 🕦 7am | 🔗 details
Liberty Litter Cleanup 2025
📍Blind Pass Beach Park | 🕦 7:30am | 🔗 details
Suncoast Food Truck Festival
📍Mall at UTC | 🕦 11am | 🔗 details
Kid's Clay Hand Building Workshop
📍Arts a Blaze | 🕦 11am | 🔗 details
Eclectic Expressions
📍Arts Advocates Gallery | 🕦 2pm | 🔗 details
Chris Anderson Band
📍BigTop Live | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Sunday
Sundays at The Bay
📍The Bay Park | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
Comedy Show: Carl Rimi
📍McCurdy's Comedy Theatre | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details
Beertopia
📍Manatee County Fair Grounds | 📆 August 23rd | 🔗 details
Downtown Venice Craft Festival
📍200 Miami Ave West, Venice | 📆 September 6th | 🔗 details
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