Mote Marine makes a splash with its fintastic Party on the Pass

When Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium opened its doors to some 300 guests for its annual Party on the Pass, it knew that its restaurant partner, Sarasota Manatee Originals, would satisfy the sophisticated palate of each guest. 

Held March 16 at the aquarium, area restaurants served up light bites while a band played and performance artists including an octopus and mermaid aerialists entertained guests.

It seemed a bit fishy, but a well-armed octopus on stilts welcomed guests to the evening. Under the 100-pound-plus costume was one tiny Lynn Sky, who designed and sewed the costume, complete with lights. 

Volunteer docents, the Miller sisters are Virginia, who has been a volunteer with Mote for 28 years, and Carol, who has been with Mote for 25 years. 

There was much somber chatter about the 44-foot endangered sperm whale that beached itself on March 11, before dying on Service Club Park Beach in Venice. Mote's Stranding Investigations Team led the collection of samples from the 70,000-pound whale, which was underweight and showed signs of old age, before it was towed out about 15 miles offshore. 

Proceeds from Party on the Pass support Mote's marine animal rescue, rehabilitation and release programs, which include the Stranding Investigations Team.