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🍦Greek food, Oktoberfest, and More
Best Things To Do in SRQ: 10/2 - 10/5
Carson B
September 30, 2025
Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!
October is knocking. Is it too early to put up Halloween decorations?
Either way, we’re heading into the busy season as far as events. If there are any upcoming events that you want to make sure I include here — just shoot me an email!
In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:
Thanks for reading,
Carson
🧠 Think You Know Sarasota? Trivia!
When the Sarasota Terrace Hotel opened in 1926, what special feature made it stand out from other hotels of its time? |
📰 Local Headline Roundup
Sarasota Memorial Nursing Home Earns Top Spot on Newsweek List
Sarasota Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center just snagged a spot on Newsweek’s “America’s Best Nursing Homes 2026” list. They’re ranked #1 in Sarasota County and #26 in Florida..
They have 120 beds, offer skilled nursing and rehab care, and were judged on things like safety, quality measures, reputation, staff training, and patient satisfaction. The author quotes a system VP saying this recognition honors the years of dedicated service.
Restoring the Ringling’s Rupp Pavilion
Work begins in October to restore the Rupp Pavilion on The Ringling campus, bringing it back closer to its original 1961 midcentury modern form. The restoration aims to honor William Rupp’s original architectural intent, preserving signature elements like the skylight “timepiece,” diagonal block patterns, and connections to the landscape. The Pavilion originally housed a café, and was built for about $15,000 as a bold modern piece—not just another snack stand. 
Rupp’s design is part of Sarasota Modernism’s legacy. The project reflects both respect for history and a desire to revive a quietly iconic building many might have forgotten.
🔦 Spotlight: Athens Family Restaurant
Athens Family Restaurant is one of those spots where friends had recommended checking it out but I kept putting it off. I finally got over there last week.
The menu is loaded with Greek staples. Portions lean generous, so it’s the kind of place where you’ll likely leave with leftovers. Daily specials like grilled fish or mousaka keep regulars coming back, and the prices make it easy to share a spread without breaking the bank.
The staff are warm, attentive, and seem to genuinely enjoy walking guests through the menu. The space itself is casual and spotless, with cozy tables and that comfortable, lived-in charm of a neighborhood spot. Families, couples, and groups celebrating birthdays all fit right in, and plenty of folks say it’s their go-to for authentic Greek food in Sarasota. Between the welcoming service, hearty plates, and value that keeps locals loyal, Athens Family Restaurant has earned its reputation as a true hidden gem.
Thursday
Beginner Sewing Class
📍16410 Rangeland Parkway, LWR | 🕦 5:30pm | 🔗 details
Comedy Show: Joe DeVito
📍McCurdy's Comedy Theatre | 🕦 Multiple shows | 🔗 details
Friday
Art in the Park
📍The Bay Park | 🕦 9am | 🔗 details
Johnson Preserve Guided Walk
📍Johnson Preserve at Braden River | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Children's Entrepreneur Market
📍8100 Lakewood Main St, LWR | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details
Showfolks Of Sarasota Annual Circus
📍Robarts Arena | 🕦 6:45pm | 🔗 details
Main Street Mixer
📍Main Street Sarasota | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Tin Can Tourist - Beatles Tribute
📍Troll Music, Sarasota County | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details
Beetlejuice (1988) Movie Screening
📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Saturday
FST Children's Theater: Peter Pan
📍Florida Studio Theatre | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Dakin Dairy Farms 2nd Annual Harvest Festival
📍Dakin Dairy Farms | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
37th Annual Pumpkin Festival
📍Fruitville Grove Farm Market | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Youth and Teen Fishing Tournament
📍8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, LWR | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Barktoberfest at Suncoast Humane Society
📍Suncoast Humane Society, Sarasota | 🕦 11am | 🔗 details
Intro to Hobby Farming
📍See details | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Taste of North Port Food & Fall Fest
📍City Hall, North Port | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Fest
📍Fruitville Grove Farm | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details
Barktoberfest
📍Suncoast Humane Society | 🕦 11am | 🔗 details
Wellen Park Oktoberfest
📍Downtown Wellen Park | 🕦 12pm | 🔗 details
Decoupage Rope Basket Workshop
📍The Artistic Flip Flop | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details
Reggae Nights on the Island
📍Centennial Park, Venice | 🕦 2pm | 🔗 details
FL2K25 Drag Racing Event
📍Bradenton Motorsports Park | 🕦 All Day | 🔗 details
Grunge is Not Dead - A Tribute Night to Seattle Grunge
📍The Osprey, Sarasota | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Orchestra: Hidden Treasures
📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details
WONDERBALL 2025
📍Sailor Circus Arena, Sarasota | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details
Sunday
Poker Run 5K
📍Myakkahatchee Creek Park, North Port | 🕦 8am | 🔗 details
EcoWalk at Red Bug Slough Preserve
📍Red Bug Slough Preserve, Sarasota | 🕦 4pm | 🔗 details
Oktoberfest by Geier's Sausages
📍Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa | 🕦 11am | 🔗 details
5th Annual Oktoberfest
📍Pop’s Sunset Grill | 🕦 1pm | 🔗 details
PLAN AHEAD
The Nutcracker in Venice
📍Venice Performing Arts Center | 📆 Dec 12th | 🔗 details
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