🍦 Halloween Festivities & Live Music

Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!

Halloween is just around the corner and there are plenty of fall festivals to get your spooky spirits up.

This weekend is packed — make sure you get out and check some out!

In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:

• Local headline roundup

• Featured Event

• Tons of local events!

Thanks for reading,

Carson

🧠 Think You Know Sarasota? Trivia!

📰 Local Headline Roundup

Mote SEA Opens Its Doors at Benderson Park

The new Mote Science Education Aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park is officially open, marking a major moment for Sarasota. The $130 million facility features 1 million gallons of seawater and 100 species of marine life, including sharks, manatees, and sea turtles. Alongside its stunning exhibits, Mote is focusing on education and research, offering classrooms and labs for students and visitors to learn about ocean science up close.

Charter Schools Gain Ground in Sarasota County

Charter schools are taking a bigger role in Sarasota County’s education scene, now serving over 20 percent of public school students. The county’s 14 charters, including popular ones like Sarasota Military Academy and Pine View’s new virtual program, continue to draw families with promises of choice and flexibility. Still, some residents and school leaders are raising concerns about transparency, funding, and the long-term impact on traditional public schools.

Thursday

Cultural Crafts

📍Lemon Bay Park | 🕦 9:30am | 🔗 details 

Adult Drop-In Art

📍16410 Rangeland Parkway, Lakewood Ranch | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details 

Orchestra: Bugs, Bats, and Birds

📍Holley Hall | 🕦 7:30pm | 🔗 details 

Friday 

Ride and Paddle (Guided)

📍The Bay Park | 🕦 8am | 🔗 details

Decades of Determination: 31st Annual Fashion Show

📍Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | 🕦 11:30am | 🔗 details

Adult Learning: Louisiana Purchase and Lewis & Clark Expedition

📍Sarasota Art Museum | 🕦 1pm | 🔗 details

Ananda Farm Pumkin Festival

📍579 Ken Hubbard Road, Terra Ceia | 🕦 3pm | 🔗 details 

Goblin Gathering

📍G.T. Bray Park | 🕦 4pm | 🔗 details 

52nd Sun Fiesta

📍200 W. Venice Ave., Venice | 🕦 4pm | 🔗 details 

OKTOBERFEST Celebration

📍1445 2nd Street, Sarasota | 🕦 5pm | 🔗 details

Live Music: Dr. Dave Band at Tarpon Bay

📍Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details

Hemingway: A Rum & Bourbon Dinner

📍10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details 

Twilight in Concert

📍Van Wezel | 🕦 7pm | 🔗 details 

Comedy Show: Jodi White

📍McCurdy's Comedy Theatre | 🕦 Multiple shows | 🔗 details

Saturday

Ecowalk: Shinrin Yoku: "Forest Bathing" Meditation

📍Red Bug Slough Preserve | 🕦 9am | 🔗 details   

24th BayFest

📍See details | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details    

29th Annual Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival

📍1 Central Avenue, Sarasota | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details      

Adult Leisure Learning: Introduction to Hobby Farming

📍See details | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details  

Flower Arranging Basics

📍Selby Gardens, Downtown | 🕦 10:30am | 🔗 details 

Charlie Kirk Tribute

📍Robarts Arena | 🕦 11am | 🔗 details

Monster Mash & Splash

📍North Port Aquatic Center | 🕦 12pm | 🔗 details 

Rocktober at JD Hamel Park

📍JD Hamel Park | 🕦 3:30pm | 🔗 details

Sarasota Art and Dance Night

📍Art Ovation Hotel | 🕦 4pm | 🔗 details  

Arcadia Championship Rodeo

📍Mosaic Arena | 🕦 3pm | 🔗 details  

Bradenton Fall Craft Fair

📍1 Haben Blvd, Palmetto | 🕦 4pm | 🔗 details     

2025 St. Armands Fine Art Festival

📍434 St Armands Cir, Sarasota | 🕦 5pm | 🔗 details

Collard Greens Festival

📍Robert L. Taylor Community Complex | 🕦 12pm | 🔗 details 

Trick-or-Treat Halloween Event

📍Mall at UTC | 🕦 5:30pm | 🔗 details

Boo! at The Bay

📍1055 Blvd of the Arts | 🕦 6pm | 🔗 details   

Sunday

37th Annual Pumpkin Festival

📍See details | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details

Youth Livestock Show Ethics and Animal Care

📍Robarts Arena | 🕦 1pm | 🔗 details 

Firehouse Chili-Cook-Off

📍1924 S. Osprey Ave | 🕦 2pm | 🔗 details 

Paint & Sip

📍Green at UTC | 🕦 4pm | 🔗 details

Lights at Spooky Point

📍Selby Gardens, Historic Spanish Point | 🕦 6:30pm | 🔗 details 

PLAN AHEAD

5th Annual Grilled Cheese Festival

📍CoolPark Today | 📆 Nov 22nd | 🔗 details

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