• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota block party combines Day of the Dead and Halloween


  • By Ian Swaby
  • | 10:55 a.m. November 2, 2025
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
Photo by Ian Swaby
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez have been living in Sarasota for about 23 years. 

While they celebrated Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) in their original home of Mexico City, they've also enjoyed celebrating the holiday on Main Street in Sarasota for about the past four years. 

"It's a good experience over here in Sarasota," Villegas said. "We love Sarasota."

The couple were both wearing traditional Day of the Dead makeup and attire. 

Nonetheless, costumes of all sorts were found at the Day of the Dead and Halloween Block Party, hosted by the Italian restaurant Clasico on Nov. 1.

 
Sam and Sandy Bennett
Sam and Sandy Bennett
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lisa Grimes, Kim Pitts, Joan Kane, and Pitts' husband Rip Pitts
Lisa Grimes, Kim Pitts, Joan Kane, and Pitts' husband Rip Pitts
Photo by Ian Swaby
Nicoletti Triana pours a drink.
Nicoletti Triana pours a drink.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Luke Moczydlowski and Ashley Archer
Luke Moczydlowski and Ashley Archer
Photo by Ian Swaby
DJ J. Anthony Cruz (Nuans) of Orlando, and Enrique Leão of Sarasota (Lee-O), perform on stage.
DJ J. Anthony Cruz (Nuans) of Orlando, and Enrique Leão of Sarasota (Lee-O), perform on stage.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
Photo by Ian Swaby
Evan Ward, a DJ known as
Evan Ward, a DJ known as "EV, and Donnie Walker, a DJ known as "Awakening," listen to a DJ performance.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ashley Archer and Dillon Ramos, who dressed as a character he created, a
Ashley Archer and Dillon Ramos, who dressed as a character he created, a "Chaos Raider," visit the bar.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Damian Doss and Britnee Valles
Damian Doss and Britnee Valles
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ashly Danko and her father Paul Danko
Ashly Danko and her father Paul Danko
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jon Baxter claps to the music.
Jon Baxter claps to the music.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Front: Angelica Findlay. Back row: Angelica Findlay's sister Katalina Findlay, May Kim and Ana Abati. The group dressed as the three blind mice, and a cat.
Front: Angelica Findlay. Back row: Angelica Findlay's sister Katalina Findlay, May Kim and Ana Abati. The group dressed as the three blind mice, and a cat.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Daniel Marjanovic and his fiancee Marta Staniec
Daniel Marjanovic and his fiancee Marta Staniec
Photo by Ian Swaby
A large inflatable hand provides a backdrop for the event.
A large inflatable hand provides a backdrop for the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Karl and Lucille Messina came from Lakewood Ranch for the event.
Karl and Lucille Messina came from Lakewood Ranch for the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Marco Madrid and Christa Pazienza
Marco Madrid and Christa Pazienza
Photo by Ian Swaby
Stephanie and Jason Garnet
Stephanie and Jason Garnet
Photo by Ian Swaby
The event was hosted by Classico.
The event was hosted by Classico.
Photo by Ian Swaby

 

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.

Latest News

Commissioner George Kruse says Manatee County is in a "questionable financial situation.
  • June 17, 2026
Commissioner calls Manatee County 'poor' during workshop sessions
A piece of driftwood that juts from the shallow water off Beer Can Island is decorated with paint.
  • June 17, 2026
Art or graffiti? Painting on driftwood at Beer Can Island prompts pushback
The Positano condominium complex was one of the properties in Manatee County that had incorrect property evaluations in the 2026 fiscal year.
  • June 17, 2026
Manatee property values rebound on Longboat after mistake in 2025
Diane DelloRusso, who has worked in the jewelry business for 36 years and been a longtime manager at Jewelry by Cole, said she believes customers will appreciate the new St. Armands Jewelry store with its blend of classic and contemporary styles. She came out of retirement to assist with the transition and can't wait for longtime patrons to see the boutique's new look.
  • June 16, 2026
Two new shops coming to St. Armands Circle

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

Jolanta Bremer received the award of the 2026 Queen Helen.
  • June 16, 2026
Attendees get into costume as Mrs. Roper at The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime
Shimon Otsuka joins fans in cheering.
  • June 15, 2026
Hundreds of attendees gather for FIFA World Cup watch party at The Bay
Among Overland Partners designs at Selby Gardens is the new welcome center.
  • June 13, 2026
Architect wins industry award for Selby Gardens design work
Congressman Greg Steube speaks at the ribbon cutting for the completion of the renourishment project at Lido Beach.
  • June 12, 2026
Steube named an MVP in Congressional ballgame
Liz Chappell, DJ and Maddie Lessig
  • June 10, 2026
Camp Shriver creates place of connection for disabled athletes
Amy Snider and Julie Waters bring some ribbon energy to the dance floor.
  • June 8, 2026
Silver Pride draws nearly 1,000 in its celebration of older LGBTQ+ adults

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