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Sarasota calendar 12.31.15

Sarasota and Siesta Key events for the week of Dec. 31.


  • By
  • | 6:00 a.m. December 31, 2015
Rudy and Cindy Branson with their son Brad at the 2014 Pineapple Drop in Downtown Sarasota.
Rudy and Cindy Branson with their son Brad at the 2014 Pineapple Drop in Downtown Sarasota.
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BEST BET: 

Thursday, Dec. 31
Pineapple Drop
Starts at 1 p.m. in Downtown Sarasota on Lemon Avenue and Main Street. The annual Pineapple Drop celebrates New Year's Eve with a family carnival in the afternoon, live music and beer stations. The pineapple will drop at midnight. Admission is free. Visit sarasotanewyearsparty.com.

Community 

Saturday, Jan.2 and Sunday, Jan. 3
59th annual Orchids Expo Show and Sale
Runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail. "An Explosion of Orchids,” is the theme for 2016 celebration. The show will spotlight thousands of award-winning orchids in the displays created by vendors and local orchid societies. Tickets are $5 per adults. Adults $5, under 8 free. Visit sarasotaorchidsociety.org. 

Thursday, Jan. 7 to Sunday, Jan. 10 
Thunder by the Bay
Times and locations vary by event. For one weekend each year, motorcycles take over Downtown Sarasota with contests and concerts down Main Street. Festival events include a Cruise for Cash and a sporting clay tournament. Admission is free for the downtown festival. Prices vary for parties and contests. Visit thunderbythebay.org.

Friday, Jan. 8 to Sunday, Jan. 10 
Gem, Jewelry and Bead Show
Runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trial. The show will feature exhibitors with a wide variety of the finest gem, jewelry and bead collections and more. Admission is $4 for adults. Visit frankcoxproductions.com.

Sunday, Jan. 10
8th Annual Jewish Food Festival
Runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Road. Indulge in your favorite Jewish foods ranging from knishes, matzo ball soup and pastrami sandwiches.  Desserts ranging from cookies to entire cakes are handmade by temple members and the sell out very quickly. Admission is free but guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation. Visit templesinai-sarasota.org.


Circus Ring of Fame Ceremony
Starts at 1:30 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park. It's a celebration of circus history and heritage for the 29th Annual Circus Ring of Fame induction ceremony. Anticipate a live concert performance of circus music prior to the induction ceremony. Admission is free. Visit starmandscircleassoc.com.


Wednesday, Jan. 13
Looking into the Crystal Ball
Runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Selby Public Library, 1331 First St. Friends of Selby Public Library will sponsor the 6th annual fundraiser. More than two dozen local restaurants and food vendors will offer samplings of their specialties. There will be more than 30 continuous quality performances, along with intuitive readers plus exhibits featuring artists, authors and more. Proceeds benefit Selby Library’s youth programs. Tickets are in advance $25; $30 at the door. Call 861-1140.


Entertainment

Thursday, Dec. 31
Starlight and Fire Family New Year’s Eve Party
Runs from 6 to 10 p.m. at Historic Spanish Point, 337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osptey. The family-friendly gathering will include snow falling on the white cottage, bonfires, marshmallows over the fire, hot chocolate and crafts for children. Tickets are $8 for adult members; $4 for children members; $10 for nonmember adults; and $5 for nonmember children. Call 966-5214.

New Year’s Eve with WSLR 
Starts at 8 p.m. at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court. Celebrate a family-friendly New Year's Eve with music, hat making and performances by Renesito Avich and The Dram and other acts to be announced. Tickets are $10 in advance; $15 at the door; free for ages 16 and under. Visit sarasotapeacenter.org.

Fireworks on the Bay Celebration
Starts at midnight at Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza. The fifth annual event includes live music, plus dinner and entertainment packages available for purchase. This event benefits the Suncoast Charities for Children. Midnight. Cost is $149.95 per person. Call 365-4232.

Friday, Jan. 8 
Jazz at Two
Starts at 2 p.m. at Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road.  Get your toes tapping at "Jazz at Two" featuring Dave Morgan Quartet w/Billy Marcus, Billy Pillucere & Stephen Bucholtz. Admission is $10 for Sarasota Jazz Club members; $15 for non-members. Call 366-1552. 

 

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