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Neighbors

Col. Ben Knisely, who served 28 years in the U.S. Army and was honored as Veteran of the Year, interacts with the public during the 2024 Veterans Day parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 14, 2025
Veterans Day parade set for Nov. 11 in downtown Sarasota

The city's annual Veterans Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 11, culminating in a ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Save Our Seabirds Director of Outreach and Education Lisa Wood and the facility's new red-shouldered hawk get to know one another on move-in day.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 14, 2025
Red-shouldered hawk joins avian rescue's flock on City Island

Save Our Seabirds takes in a small bird of prey when it was found in a residential area near Orlando.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
TD Bank is opening a treat-dispensing ATM for dogs on Oct. 17 at its branch on Clark Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 13, 2025
Bank branch caters to canine clientele on Clark Road

TD Bank rolls out an automated treat machine in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Witt, a 5-month-old mixed breed male, gains enrichment through working to get a taste of peanut butter from the lick mat at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 13, 2025
Is it nuts to give dogs peanut butter?

At Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center, peanut butter is used as a tool to distract and provide enrichment in the shelter environment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Steinholding contest winner Susie Jacobbi faces off against the last other remaining contestant, John Roeleveld.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 13, 2025
Attendees get into Oktoberfest spirit during Park-toberfest

The event at The Bay in Sarasota featured live music, German food and beers, and a stein holding contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Jenna Ziegler works quickly to move as much water as she can with a hand pump at the Dakin Harvest Festival Oct. 12 in Myakka.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 12, 2025
Harvest Festival makes a big splash at Dakin Dairy Farm

The event continues every Saturday and Sunday in October.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Ariana Swayka, 4 and Alexia Swayka, 6 are in the full holiday spirit with their Halloween themed shirts and face paint.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 11, 2025
Hunsader Farms kicks off 34th annual Pumpkin Festival

In case you missed it, the festival continues every Saturday and Sunday in October.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A private dining room is transformed into a pop-up shop.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 11, 2025
Fashion luncheon supports Myakka City animal sanctuary

Scout & Molly's Boutique set up a pop-up shop at Pascone's Ristorante to benefit Donte's Den.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Orchid Show 2025: Rebecca Louise Law is on view Oct. 11 to Dec. 7.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 10, 2025
Selby Gardens' orchid show to feature indoor botanical art

The Orchid Show 2025: Rebecca Louise Law incorporates an art installation using preserved plants, created by a Wales-based artist.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Participants of the Citizens Academy visit the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department for one of the sessions.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2025
Citizens Academy enrollment open for Longboat Key's 2026 season

Eight sessions cover aspects of town government, beginning in January.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Early attendees beat the heat at last weekend's St. Armands Circle Craft Festival, which featured artisans in a variety of specialties.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 9, 2025
Get ready for a free art fest on St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Circle is set to host a free fine art festival this October.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sue McGregor
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 9, 2025
Local octogenarian prepares for Athens marathon

Sue McGregor has been running for about 30 years and has competed in races around the globe. Now she sets her sights on Greece.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anthony Baffo celebrates his win in the stein-holding competition at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime's inaugural Oktoberfest on Oct. 4.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
Oktoberfest in Sarasota tests strength and food temptations

Attendees at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime's festivities joined in stein-holding and yodeling competitions, among other themed activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Talia Casey and Alex Perez brought their cat, Mister Figment Spirit Wink, to the Oct. 4 pet blessing at St. Boniface Episcopal Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
St. Boniface hosts paw-inspiring event for pet owners

Rev. Nikki Seger led the Siesta Key church's annual pet blessing on Saturday.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Matt Baar is hosting the first annual Turkey Toss cornhole tournament in his Myakka City backyard Nov. 22 to benefit the Children's Dream Fund.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 8, 2025
Myakka City resident's dream is to help critically ill children

At 14, Matt Baar received a dream from the Children's Dream Fund. At 27, he wants to grant dreams in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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1
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
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2
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Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
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Dolores M. Stevens (2025)
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Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
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'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup

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