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Music on Main provides entertainment for all ages in Lakewood Ranch


  • By Liz Ramos
  • | 9:15 a.m. February 3, 2024
Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Aurlyn Esler holds on as tight as she can to see how long she can last on the bull.
Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Aurlyn Esler holds on as tight as she can to see how long she can last on the bull.
Photo by Liz Ramos
  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Aurlyn Esler jumped onto a mechanical bull Feb. 1 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch and held on as tight as possible. 

As the bull started moving, she used all her strength to stay on. 

After a few seconds, and with the bull's speed being cranked upward, Esler fell off.

"It was funny when I fell off," she said. "I felt like I was flying."

While the mechanical bull stayed busy, many other entertainment choices were available, including the main attraction — Kettle of Fish. People also came to support the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, which brought some mini horses.

Every Music on Main supports a regional nonprofit, and SMART benefitted on Friday.

Rudy Keezer, Andrea Keezer, Angela Williams and Rosemary Stack volunteer for Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, which was the nonprofit that benefitted from Music on Main.
Rudy Keezer, Andrea Keezer, Angela Williams and Rosemary Stack volunteer for Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, which was the nonprofit that benefitted from Music on Main.
Photo by Liz Ramos
A sea of people in lawn and folding chairs take over Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
A sea of people in lawn and folding chairs take over Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Kettle of Fish draws a large crowd at Music on Main.
Kettle of Fish draws a large crowd at Music on Main.
Photo by Liz Ramos
People are up moving and grooving as Kettle of Fish performs.
People are up moving and grooving as Kettle of Fish performs.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Dana Lawrence with Kettle of Fish performs at Music on Main.
Dana Lawrence with Kettle of Fish performs at Music on Main.
Photo by Liz Ramos
East County's Phyllis Haan busts a move while Kettle of Fish performs.
East County's Phyllis Haan busts a move while Kettle of Fish performs.
Photo by Liz Ramos
East County 2-year-old Collette Harris and Rudy Jergovic dance the night away.
East County 2-year-old Collette Harris and Rudy Jergovic dance the night away.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Vivian Bodamer and 4-year-old Brody Bodamer feed Rocky, a mini horse, with the help of Ellie Wenzke, a volunteer for Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.
Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Vivian Bodamer and 4-year-old Brody Bodamer feed Rocky, a mini horse, with the help of Ellie Wenzke, a volunteer for Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Rhysand Heller, who is 14 months old, plays Connect 4 with Macala Heller, who is a volunteer for Grace Community Church.
Rhysand Heller, who is 14 months old, plays Connect 4 with Macala Heller, who is a volunteer for Grace Community Church.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Aurlyn Esler holds on as tight as she can to see how long she can last on the bull.
Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Aurlyn Esler holds on as tight as she can to see how long she can last on the bull.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Sarasota's Heather Venetta takes in Music on Main for the first time while Sarasota's Dave Votaw attends regularly.
Sarasota's Heather Venetta takes in Music on Main for the first time while Sarasota's Dave Votaw attends regularly.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch's Janice Cox and Donna Kochno make their way down Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
Lakewood Ranch's Janice Cox and Donna Kochno make their way down Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lola, a goat from Blissful Goat Yoga, visits people at Music on Main.
Lola, a goat from Blissful Goat Yoga, visits people at Music on Main.
Photo by Liz Ramos

 

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.

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