• 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

Guests dine on lobster for Children First

The Rockin' Lobster beach party was hosted Nov. 3 at Sharky's on the Pier in Venice.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 7:59 a.m. November 4, 2018
  • Black Tie
  • Share

As the sun sank off in the horizon the Suncoast, guests mingled on the beach and under the tent at Sharky's on the Pier in Venice. 

The annual Rockin' Lobster beach party was hosted Nov. 3, and is their second event at Sharky's this week. 

Cold drinks and an appetizer buffet were enjoyed before the program began. Vice President of Philanthropy Jessica Rogers opened the program with the welcome. Then the guest speaker, Fitz Otis, came on stage to talk about his experience as being a Children First dad. 

The beach party continued with a lobster meal, roasting marshmallows by the fire on the beach and a firework show.

Co-Chairs Keith and Adrienne Johnson, Janna and Joshua Kim with Andree and Mike Keebaugh
Co-Chairs Keith and Adrienne Johnson, Janna and Joshua Kim with Andree and Mike Keebaugh
Vice President of Philanthropy Jessica Rogers, Speakers Mishya and Fitz Otis and President and CEO Philip Tavill
Vice President of Philanthropy Jessica Rogers, Speakers Mishya and Fitz Otis and President and CEO Philip Tavill
A hand collage showed guests what their donation would go towards at Children First.
A hand collage showed guests what their donation would go towards at Children First.
The centerpieces were made by Krystel Beall.
The centerpieces were made by Krystel Beall.
Rollie and Cindy Horton
Rollie and Cindy Horton
Lobsters were the center of the night.
Lobsters were the center of the night.
Dan and Donna Love
Dan and Donna Love
Guests roasted marshmallows after dinner.
Guests roasted marshmallows after dinner.
HelloGorgeous set up a photobooth.
HelloGorgeous set up a photobooth.
Tony Salas and Rachael Laughlin
Tony Salas and Rachael Laughlin
Daniel and Amy Hammon
Daniel and Amy Hammon
Debbie Shapiro, Barbara Barrett and Fran Nitschke
Debbie Shapiro, Barbara Barrett and Fran Nitschke
Amy and Stefano Ragozzino
Amy and Stefano Ragozzino
Marge and Vinnie Maisto
Marge and Vinnie Maisto
Kirsten Olson, Frank Ford and Kim Reuter
Kirsten Olson, Frank Ford and Kim Reuter
Steve and Melissa Reid with Elaine, Alanna and Jeff Densmore
Steve and Melissa Reid with Elaine, Alanna and Jeff Densmore
Co-Chairs Joshua and Janna Kim with Helena and Doug Black and Daniel and Clarice Dokko
Co-Chairs Joshua and Janna Kim with Helena and Doug Black and Daniel and Clarice Dokko
Steve and Christina Brown
Steve and Christina Brown
The Josh Carroll Band played upbeat tunes.
The Josh Carroll Band played upbeat tunes.
An appetizer bar was set up before the seated dinner.
An appetizer bar was set up before the seated dinner.
Scarlett Guy and Katie Huyck
Scarlett Guy and Katie Huyck
Children First hosts two events at Sharky's on the Pier each year.
Children First hosts two events at Sharky's on the Pier each year.
Tiki torches were set up along the beach to help keep guests warmer.
Tiki torches were set up along the beach to help keep guests warmer.
Chairs were set up around the campfire.
Chairs were set up around the campfire.
The sun sank below the horizon during the event.
The sun sank below the horizon during the event.
Vice President of Philanthropy Jessica Rogers welcomes guests to Rockin' Lobster.
Vice President of Philanthropy Jessica Rogers welcomes guests to Rockin' Lobster.
Fitz Otis was the featured speaker for the evening.
Fitz Otis was the featured speaker for the evening.

 

Latest News

Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota charter official evaluations begin this month
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 4, 2025
SPD set to grow its city camera system

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 Black Tie

Bill and Robyn Sadlo, Barb and Jay Lancer and Marjolaine and Steve Townsend
  • November 23, 2025
Boys and Girls Clubs' Champions for Children honors Baranciks' legacy
Kristin Morton, John Grady Burns, Pat Mudgett and Kellie Menke
  • November 21, 2025
Founders Garden Club welcomes celebrity floral designer to annual luncheon
Troy Turner and Resilient Retreat founder Dr. Sidney Turner
  • November 17, 2025
Resilient Retreat transports guests to the Mediterranean
Marie Monsky and Marvin Kadesh
  • November 17, 2025
Brunch plays a note to raise money for Sarasota Youth Orchestra
Raleigh Mosely, Donald Frison, Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs and Jazzmin Carson
  • November 17, 2025
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe shows off its heart and soul at fall gala
Keep calm and party on: Co-Chairs Renee Phinney, Lauren Dixon, Lauren Wohlwend and Allison Imre along with event planner Minta Getzen (center) make sure that every detail of Wine, Women & Shoes is handled with the utmost care.
  • November 15, 2025
Wine, Women & Shoes steps up in support of Forty Carrots Family Center

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