Longboat Key plans for smooth 60th birthday

On Nov. 14, 1955, the Town of Longboat Key officially incorporated. Now, as the town's 60th anniversary approaches, it's as if the day was planned perfectly.

“It couldn’t work out better,” said Gail Loefgren, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce President. “The actual anniversary falls on a Saturday this year, and we knew we wanted to have the party on a Saturday.”

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and the town will host the anniversary party at Bayfront Park.

Guests are invited to bring their own dinner in this picnic-style setting, or they can buy food from a variety of food trucks: Croz’s Surf Shack, which srves gourmet hot dogs, Flying Sliders, which offers sandwiches, and B’s Cool Treats ice cream truck.

Sponsors of the event will be served a catered meal from Harry’s Continental Kitchens.

In addition to the food selection, the Sarasota Jazz Project will perform. Local jazz musicians make up the 17-piece ensemble, including several Longboat residents.

“I hear they’re really good,” Loefgren said. “It makes it even better that we have some Longboaters in there too.”

Loefgren hopes the music will be a preview for a new "Savor the Sounds" concert series the chamber hopes to begin next year.

The evening will end with a fireworks show over the bay.

Loefgren began planning the event, along with a committee of 11 people, at the end of July.

“I’m excited to actually have it happen,” Loefgren said. “You have a vision and all this planning, and getting to actually have your vision happen, it’s always exciting.”

Around 500 people are expected at the celebration

“We’re 60 years old, and I think it’s important that we as a community celebrate our milestones,” Loefgren said. “It brings us all together.”