- February 18, 2025
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Ranch Nite Wednesdays makes its season debut at Waterside Place on Oct. 4.
Photo by Lesley DwyerLakewood Ranch resident Beth Edelstein grabs a spicy beef empanada for her husband.
Photo by Lesley DwyerCountry Club resident Sandra Aranibar enjoys a girls' night out with Cali and Bella.
Photo by Lesley DwyerFancy Larry & the Plain Jaynes perform at the pavilion in Waterside Place on Oct. 4 for Ranch Nite Wednesdays.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSarasota resident Maxwell Ahring attends Ranch Nite for the first time. The 3-year-old didn't stop dancing.
Photo by Lesley DwyerDogs are welcome at Ranch Nite Wednesdays, too.
Photo by Lesley DwyerCornerstone and Company serves craft cocktails including a spicy mango margarita.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMarcia Bailey and Carl Carbone have been playing cornhole at Waterside Place since the entertainment hub it opened.
Photo by Lesley DwyerLayla Lamoreux, 7, and Olivia Burton, 5, enjoy an interesting two-scoop ice cream combo of mint chocolate chip and cotton candy.
Photo by Lesley DwyerFather and daughter John and Savannah Davis man the Carousel's truck at Ranch Nite.
Photo by Lesley DwyerBradenton resident Veronica Hernandez carries her pooch Chewie in her bag.
Photo by Lesley DwyerRanch Nite Wednesdays is back for another season at Waterside Place.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMax Paczesny watches the action from his dad Alex's shoulders. They're visiting Sarasota from Indiana for a week.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSarasota residents Zuri and Asani Simmons enjoy Ranch Nite Wednesdays from the comfort of their wagon. This isn't their first spin around, it's their return for the new season.
Photo by Lesley DwyerRanch Nite Wednesdays is back for the season at Waterside Place.
“We have a lot of returning vendors, so we’re excited to have them back, but there are a lot of new vendors, too, in the night market,” said Nicole Hackel, the Lakewood Ranch events and resident experience manager.
Ranch Nite rambles down Island Cove Terrace in sections. It starts with a row of food trucks that turns into the night market, where vendors sell everything from baked goods to leather pocketbooks.
The food and shopping depends on the week because the food trucks and vendors are rotated out to keep the experience fresh for regular visitors.
After exiting the night market, the plaza is straight ahead and a massive game of cornhole is around the corner. The league has grown to include 508 players.
The plaza offers a craft cocktail truck on the sidewalk and live entertainment under the pavilion. Fancy Larry & the Plain Jaynes was the band for Ranch Nite’s 2023 debut on Oct. 4.
The band was a hit with the crowd.
“I love sultry voices,” Country Club resident Sandra Aranibar said of the singers.
Aranibar was enjoying a night out on the town with her two dogs, Cali and Bella. She’s lived in the Country Club for 20 years.
“I can’t believe how it’s blown up,” she said. “People would come, but it used to be half this.”