• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Families celebrate New Year's Eve at the downtown midway

Kids and adults rang in the new year with a carnival atmosphere.


  • By Jack Short
  • | 7:03 p.m. January 1, 2016
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Downtown Sarasota became an impromptu midway on New Year's Eve with games, music, rides and attractions. Kids and families played under Sarasota's distinct icon, the pineapple, poised to descend at the end of 2015. 

Ariel Gil (right) tries for a prize, while Ana Ennos (left) looks on.
Ariel Gil (right) tries for a prize, while Ana Ennos (left) looks on.
(left to right) Mason and Vaughn Vicker shoot hoops.
(left to right) Mason and Vaughn Vicker shoot hoops.
Zion Clark puts a bit of pepper on it.
Zion Clark puts a bit of pepper on it.
Phoenix Avery, perched on his dad's shoulders at the celebration
Phoenix Avery, perched on his dad's shoulders at the celebration
The Avery family (left to right): Lyra, Jeremiah, Phoenix and Orion.
The Avery family (left to right): Lyra, Jeremiah, Phoenix and Orion.
Disembarking (left to right): Elizabeth Patrick, Annie Patrick, Michael Patrick and Luke Mitchell.
Disembarking (left to right): Elizabeth Patrick, Annie Patrick, Michael Patrick and Luke Mitchell.
(right to left) Erin Noe and Jersey Baldini take a break for some cotton candy.
(right to left) Erin Noe and Jersey Baldini take a break for some cotton candy.
Stephanie Kosobucki and John Rainey at the ring toss
Stephanie Kosobucki and John Rainey at the ring toss
Myreli Zamora and daughter Camila Diaz ride the Silver Streak
Myreli Zamora and daughter Camila Diaz ride the Silver Streak
(left to right) Julio and Maximo Santander
(left to right) Julio and Maximo Santander
Maximo Santander at the pop gun booth
Maximo Santander at the pop gun booth
Kendall Riebe performs acrobatic stunts.
Kendall Riebe performs acrobatic stunts.
Barbara Spears and Sean Breter serve up the goods.
Barbara Spears and Sean Breter serve up the goods.
Connor Pippen-Craven is fascinated by his bubble gun, not so much by the festivities.
Connor Pippen-Craven is fascinated by his bubble gun, not so much by the festivities.
The pineapple waits to descend
The pineapple waits to descend
(left to right) Stacey and McKenna Karns ride the slide
(left to right) Stacey and McKenna Karns ride the slide
Even dogs love new year's eve! The Chase family (left to right): Stella, McKayla, Sarah, Logan and David.
Even dogs love new year's eve! The Chase family (left to right): Stella, McKayla, Sarah, Logan and David.
Rob Eisemon tests his strength
Rob Eisemon tests his strength
Amber Taylor, Lindsay Page and Jocelyn Freed watch as Julie Freed tries to win $100 on the hard climb.
Amber Taylor, Lindsay Page and Jocelyn Freed watch as Julie Freed tries to win $100 on the hard climb.
Jackson Kernion comes a hair's breadth from winning the grand prize on the climbing wall.
Jackson Kernion comes a hair's breadth from winning the grand prize on the climbing wall.
The crowd waiting for Big Night Out to take the stage.
The crowd waiting for Big Night Out to take the stage.
Big Night Out tunes up on stage as festivities go on.
Big Night Out tunes up on stage as festivities go on.
Mikael Tafesse looks over his shoulder as the wheel spins.
Mikael Tafesse looks over his shoulder as the wheel spins.

 

Latest News

Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays
Osprey play an important role in local ecosystems, and they seek out high perches on either designated nesting perches or, as in this case, power poles.
  • December 18, 2025
Ospreys get a home renovation
Emily Chana, 10, rehearses the swinging trapeze.
  • December 17, 2025
Sailor Circus Academy students prepare for 'Winter’s Dream' show
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents
Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise
Zac Boone, 6, showcases his crystals.
  • December 15, 2025
Children's Entrepreneur Market offers kids business experience

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now