Holidays at The Bay offers a party where the community is invited

Director of Park Guest Experience Diana Shaheen noted the large amount of attendees from all backgrounds during the Holidays at The Bay Community Celebration.

"This is a fantastic event. We bring the community together to celebrate the holidays, and you can tell. Every walk of life is here," she said, noting the event fit the park's goal of being "one park for all."

Attendees could take a free photo with Santa Claus, join a holiday craft project, and enjoy dancing sessions with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, including a session of dancing followed by a book reading with children's entertainer and educator Mr. Stevey.

There was also music by DJ Rick Levine and a showing of "Toy Story 4."

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation has been working with Mr. Stevey to offer Mr. Stevey & Friends, a free community program geared towards pre-school and elementary school-aged children, for about three years. 

It offers the program twice a month at local libraries in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

"(Holidays at The Bay) was great because it's so many families that maybe are learning about the program for the first time, and it's a really special day to celebrate the holidays," said the foundation's Kelli Maldonado.