Kiwanis Lawn Party on City Island will host 32 restaurants

By Dana Kampa
| 5:00 a.m. November 25, 2025

Organizers of this year's Lawn Party by the Bay eagerly anticipate the foodie festival, which will feature more restaurants than ever before. From left, The Resort at Longboat Key Club Managing Director Rick Konsavage, Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding, Children's Guardian Fund Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko and Kiwanis Club Past President Michael Garey.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Foodies attending this year's Lawn Party by the Bay will have the most selections in its history at the 2025 festivities, with the participation of 32 local restaurants.

Organizers shared their excitement for several developments surrounding the Dec. 6 event at Ken Thompson Park.

Attendees can look forward to the return of the 50/50 raffle, art sales and more while sampling bites from restaurants throughout Longboat Key, according to Danielle Gladding, president of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key — the organization that hosts the Lawn Party each year.

Kiwanis Club past president Michael Garey said members are happy to bring the event back after last year's hiatus caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

"The good news is that it's going to be bigger because we have more restaurants than ever," he added.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Children's Guardian Fund, a 501(c)(3) group that responds to the needs of children removed from unsuitable homes.

The Lawn Party has long benefitted this nonprofit. In April of last year, the Kiwanis Club presented a check for $102,150 from the 2023 event.

Attendees can also offer their support by shopping at the artists' tent, which will include the works of Lynn Armstrong Coffin. Part of the proceeds will go to the Kiwanis Club.

Sonya Bottni with her tray at the Longboat Key Lawn Party

Photo by Petra Rivera

Participating Restaurants

As of the week before the event, the restaurants participating in this year's Lawn Party on the Bay are:

Alma de España
Blue Dolphin Cafe
Café on St. Armands
Columbia Restaurant
Crab & Fin
Daiquiri Deck St. Armands Circle
Drift Kitchen & Bar
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
Food+Beer
Gecko's Grill & Pub
Good Liquid Brewing
Harry's Continental Kitchens
Island Time Bar & Grill
Kacey's Seafood & More
La Norma Italian Restaurant
Lazy Lobster of Longboat
Lo' Key Island Grille
Longboat Key Fire Rescue
Mean Deans Local Kitchen
Ocean Prime
Old Salty Dog
Pascone's Ristorante
Pesto
Poppo's Taqueria
The Resort at Longboat Key Club
Ringside at Cirque
Sara's Italian Kitchen
Stonewood Grill & Tavern
Tsunami Sushi
Tyler's Gourmet Ice Cream
Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Viento Kitchen

The Resort at Longboat Key Club, which played an essential role in the Lawn Party's history, is stepping back in to more robustly support the event.

Managing Director Rick Konsavage said the resort wanted to step in as the main sponsor because it aligns with its philosophy of being community-minded.

"Especially if it's a cause that supports kids, that's a soft spot for us," he said.

Garey said receiving the support of the resort was the "final piece of the puzzle" when it came to essential planning.

Visit LBKLawnParty.org for more.

Svetlana Ivashchenko, executive director of the Children's Guardian Fund, explains what contributions to the organization allow it to do for local foster families during their annual fall luncheon on Nov. 12.

Photo by Dana Kampa

What does the Children's Guardian Fund do for families?

Leaders at the Children's Guardian Fund shared insight into how the organization benefits local families with supporters at its annual fall luncheon on Nov. 12 at Michael's On East.

The organization focuses on assisting children entering the foster system and their foster families. That support comes in the form of legal services in court via the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, but also in more social ways, like covering the cost of a volleyball camp or supplying a tutor so students don't fall behind.

For those wishing to donate directly to the Children's Guardian Fund, visit ChildrensGuardianFund.org.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.