• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota Chamber of Commerce puts on outdoor party at Van Wezel

Chamber restaurants and businesses were on display at the annual party.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 8:06 p.m. February 24, 2021
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce put on an outdoor celebration with its annual Party on the Bay on Feb. 24.

Chamber members mixed and mingled at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, where various chamber restaurants and businesses were present to pass out samples and raise awareness. Rather than the typical setup where guests could pick up food and drinks themselves, this year had vendors handing out samples to masked guests at spaced-apart tables. 

Crystal Vatrt and Alexandra Presely
Crystal Vatrt and Alexandra Presely
The Bidges restaurant at Embassy Suites had samples ready for guests.
The Bidges restaurant at Embassy Suites had samples ready for guests.
Donna Steffen and Sarah Albritton
Donna Steffen and Sarah Albritton
Dave and Jennifer Miereu with Nita and Bruce  Wesner
Dave and Jennifer Miereu with Nita and Bruce Wesner
Danielle Blakely, Stacey Crawford and Alyssa Barnsley
Danielle Blakely, Stacey Crawford and Alyssa Barnsley
Mercy Cortez, Ashley Pullon and Lana Walsh
Mercy Cortez, Ashley Pullon and Lana Walsh
Phoebe and Erin McDermott
Phoebe and Erin McDermott
Amy Leithauser and Fiona Farrell with Gecko's
Amy Leithauser and Fiona Farrell with Gecko's
Alexis Fraser and Sue Colao
Alexis Fraser and Sue Colao
Mary Bensel and Patty Kondash
Mary Bensel and Patty Kondash
Devin Gottschalk, Danielle Carpenter and Connor Andrew
Devin Gottschalk, Danielle Carpenter and Connor Andrew
Liz Stamoulis and Mark Creech
Liz Stamoulis and Mark Creech
Josh Fetzer and Jordan Kornmann
Josh Fetzer and Jordan Kornmann
Derick Kitson and Ceaser Navarro
Derick Kitson and Ceaser Navarro
Dr. Larry Thompson and Chamber president and CEO Heather Kasten
Dr. Larry Thompson and Chamber president and CEO Heather Kasten
Krystal Karahalios and Sinead Carr
Krystal Karahalios and Sinead Carr
Alexis Ekberg and Anna Halley
Alexis Ekberg and Anna Halley
Jenny Townsend with Mareya Eavey
Jenny Townsend with Mareya Eavey

 

Latest News

Longboat Key has dozens of canals, 88 according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal.
  • May 13, 2026
Canal payment plan gets first approval by Longboat commission
A great egret perches on a mangrove that fronts Longboat Pass. Mangroves are an important habitat for birds and juvenile sport fish while providing erosion protection.
  • May 13, 2026
30 years after mangrove law passed, enforcement still relies on citizen reporting, education
Commissioner George Kruse stops to greet Chula, a 2-year-old mastiff mix, during a walk-through of the Bishop Animal Shelter May 9.
  • May 13, 2026
Animal activists continue complaints despite efforts to improve Bishop shelter
Sarasota Schools Superintendent Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon in April.
  • May 12, 2026
School-tax fee reversal slated to come before county commissioners next week

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

Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ed Hill (left) receives the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Professional of the Year Award from Noel Martinez of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.
  • May 12, 2026
Chamber executive wins top statewide professional award
William Gensmer and Zaeta, of The Tilt, perform on stage.
  • May 10, 2026
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest held at Selby Five Points Park
Joseph Sprouse created costumes based on "Tron" that he and his sister Isabel Sprouse wore to the event.
  • May 10, 2026
SiestaCon continues to bring a comic con experience to Sarasota
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Wendy Feinstein now divides her time between Longboat Key and Carbondale, Colorado.
  • May 8, 2026
American Jewish Committee names new regional president
Photo Credit: John Revisky
  • May 7, 2026
Where Prestige Meets Performance: Redefining Real Estate Excellence
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase

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 © 2026 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.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free