Neighbors | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Neighbors

Janet Combs
January 2, 2025

Sarasota rings in 2025 with 25th annual block party and pineapple drop

The event, held downtown New Year's Eve, attracted more than 30,000 people to celebrate.

Sarasota
Neighbors

By None
January 1, 2025

Make Space for Good

As you reflect on your resolutions, take a moment to go through closets, storage bins, and those forgotten corners of your home.

East County
Neighbors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ian Swaby
December 13, 2024

Sarasota neighborhoods light up for the holidays

Neighborhoods in the area are decking homes with holiday displays.

Sarasota
Neighbors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.