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Sarasota | Neighbors

Attendees get busy in a Lego building zone.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 31, 2024
BrickUniverse Lego expo event postponed to November

The Lego fan expo, originally scheduled for Jan. 4-5, will now be held Nov. 22-23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Don't miss these Sarasota events in 2025
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 31, 2024
Don't miss these Sarasota events in 2025

Here are some of the top picks to mark on your calendar for the new year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Attendees get busy in a Lego building zone.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 30, 2024
BrickUniverse event will showcase the creative possibilities of Lego

The Lego fan expo event offers a place for both major artists and hobbyists.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eddy Ossa welcomes grand opening attendees into CreArte Latino.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 29, 2024
CreArte Latino enters the new year with a new space

The organization, which serves as a creative hub for the Hispanic/Latino community, held the grand opening for its space on Dec. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
In 2024, Sarasota proved its strength in its resurgence
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • December 26, 2024
In 2024, Sarasota proved its strength in its resurgence

In a tough year with the hurricanes, Sarasota still had plenty of enjoyable fun and good times.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Boats numbering in the hundreds came out in support of keeping Midnight Pass open.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • December 21, 2024
Your Observer's most-viewed stories of 2024 reveal not-so-surprising observations

Thirteen of the 25 most-viewed stories of 2024 on YourObserver.com were hurricane-related.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Chamber to host Leadership Educational Conference
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2024
Sarasota Chamber to host Leadership Educational Conference

The half-day Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Leadership Sarasota Educational Conference is designed to cultivate skills and strategies for leadership in the workplace.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 19, 2024
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

Students at Fruitville Elementary School, Tuttle Elementary School and Suncoast School for Innovative Studies shared what they hope to receive this Christmas.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students enjoy the experience at a Holiday House.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 19, 2024
Holiday House SRQ brings the joy of gift-giving to underserved students

The nonprofit, now serving four Sarasota schools, provides a festive shopping experience allowing kids to take gifts for family and one for themselves.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The "Lotus" yacht arrives with a "Joy to SRQ" theme.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2024
Holiday spirits shines at Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

The event, organized by Suncoast Charities for Children, featured vessels decked with holiday lights and decor.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kira Kirilina, 10, her sister Mia Kirilina, 5 and brother Robert Kirilina, 8 meet Santa Claus.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2024
Holidays at The Bay offers a party where the community is invited

The event featured fun and games, activities by Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, a movie screening and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Myakka’s wildlife respond favorably to the habitat restoration zone, which prevents human disturbances and improves their habitats.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • December 16, 2024
Habitat Restoration zone returns to Myakka

By reducing human disturbances, temporary fencing protects plants and wildlife, while offering visitors superior wildlife viewing opportunities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The 5K begins.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2024
Sandy Claws Beach Run brings energy to the holiday spirit

Runners dressed in festive attire for the 48th annual event held on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Karen Holbrook will be succeeded by Brett Kemker, vice provost and regional vice chancellor for academic affairs and student success at USF Sarasota-Manatee, in an interim role.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 14, 2024
USF Sarasota-Manatee honors regional chancellor as she prepares to retire

The campus attributes accomplishments to Karen Holbrook including the opening of the Student Center and Atala Residence Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
An archway covers 3643 Lakewood Dr. in Colonial Oaks
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 13, 2024
Sarasota neighborhoods light up for the holidays

Neighborhoods in the area are decking homes with holiday displays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The 50th annual Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular begins, with a solo by Walter Godfrey.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 12, 2024
Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular celebrates 50th anniversary

The event featured a nativity scene with live animals, a former Broadway performer and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students from Phillippi Shores Elementary School, including Fifth graders Matthew Vinson and Kadence Butler and fourth grader Genevieve Stickley offer a performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 11, 2024
Young performers create holiday splendor in Ringling Museum courtyard

Holiday Splendor at The Ringling showcased performances by local schools, while helping draw donations to Toys for Tots.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manager Samantha Lemmer and employee Laurie Buckel
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 10, 2024
Siesta Key Oyster Bar offers dollar bill decor to employees

The dollar bills that guests leave on the walls of Siesta Key Oyster Bar will be given to employees as hurricane relief.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hans Ocampo, Oliver Ocampo, 2, Yahoira Ocampo and Dominic Ocampo, 4, meet Santa Claus.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 9, 2024
Community spirit goes on display at Sarasota Holiday Parade

The annual parade features many local organizations and businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota volunteer Ken Junkins helps stabalize the RE/MAX balloon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 9, 2024
Hot air balloons come to Sarasota in Balloon Glow & Laser Show

The event showcased hot air balloons, giving the community a chance to enjoy something rarely seen in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lauren and Kim Smith, visitors from Pennsylvania, pose for a selfie in front of the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2024
Downtown Sarasota lights new Christmas tree

The "Light Up The Night" Fresh Fridays event offered live music, a giant snow globe and more, but the focus was the new, larger Christmas tree at Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Kyle Battie, Santa Claus, Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch and the Marketing and Events Director for the St. Armands Circle Association Rachel Burns counted down together to light the St. Armands tree.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 8, 2024
St. Armands Circle hosts annual holiday tree lighting

Santa Claus counted down locals and visitors to light the 60-foot Christmas tree in honor of the end of hurricane season and the start to the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The parade helped usher in the holiday season.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 6, 2024
The best holiday events in Sarasota and Siesta Key

Here are events to help you enjoy a merry holiday season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lights in Bloom features over two million lights.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 5, 2024
See the displays at this year's Lights in Bloom

The holiday display across Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Downtown Sarasota Campus opens Dec. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A decoration hangs in Siesta Key Village.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 5, 2024
Siesta Key enters the holiday season as it recovers from hurricane devastation

Island residents gradually return to normalcy as the last round of businesses in Siesta Key reopens in time for the holidays.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Circus Ring of Fame at St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2024
Circus Ring of Fame Awards postponed until 2026

Storm surge damage to the bronze plaques at St. Armands Circle forces cancellation of the 2025 Circus Ring of Fame Awards ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mary Lou Davidson's dog Lyra is blessed by Prayer Chaplain Jacqueline Fitzgerald.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2024
Holiday Pet Blessing at Unity of Sarasota celebrates the joy of pets

Moving to December this year, the annual event welcomed pets for blessings by the church's prayer chaplains.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Staff from Michael Saunders & Company gather at their float.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2024
Siesta Key parade kicks off the holiday season

The annual event, hosted by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, helped support the community and its businesses.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Alyssa Saggese, Justin Fiedler and Cameron Dempsey
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2024
Black Friday Block Party offers post-Thanksgiving excitement

Celebrating Goose Island beer, the event also featured offerings including vendors, live music and a cornhole tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Laurel Park resident Jackie Haywood hangs an ornament on the tree in the gazebo on Saturday, Nov. 30.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • December 1, 2024
Laurel Park residents gather for clean-up duty

Volunteers get together to spruce up the local park and decorate the Christmas tree in the gazebo.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Igor Pertile works with the plants.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 28, 2024
Farmer education program gives aspiring growers a head start in the field

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County has partnered with Mote Aquaculture Research Park to use its facility for the program, which gives farmers hands-on farming and business development experience.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Choral Society performs Handel's Messiah.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 27, 2024
Sarasota Choral Society celebrates 80 years

The choral society, founded in 1944, carries on the annual tradition of performing the Christmas portion of Handel's "Messiah."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Safe Children Coalition
  • November 26, 2024
Implementing Change for Good

Safe Children Coalition served over 9,000 children in the last fiscal year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The 46th annual Holiday Night of Lights will be held at St. Armands Circle on Dec. 6.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 26, 2024
Holiday Night of Lights set for Dec. 6

The 46th annual tree lighting event at St. Armands Circle marks a significant step in recovery.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Copenhagen Imports
  • November 25, 2024
Furnishing Hope: How Copenhagen Imports is Giving Back to the Homeless This Holiday Season

Copenhagen Imports, is continuing its commitment to support Sarasota's homeless community through its popular annual Stressless promotion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Manasota Flooring
  • November 25, 2024
For 50 Years This “Family Business” Mission Extends to Employees, Their Families, Other Local Businesses and Non-Profits

Manasota Flooring is one of the largest flooring companies in our area, servicing Palmetto to Venice, Longboat Key to Lakewood Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
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