Neighbors | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Neighbors

Ian Swaby
July 9, 2025

WBTT to conclude summer camp with 'Alice in Boogie Wonderland'

The performance combines "Alice in Wonderland" with music including pop, disco and R&B.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
July 9, 2025

Mote's final public days bring forward warm memories

City Island's Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium officially held its final day of being open to the public on July 6 as it prepares for its move to the new Mote Science Education Aquarium facility.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

By Florida Power & Light Company
July 8, 2025

FPL Announces Planned Upgrades for Sarasota County to Continue Building a Stronger, Smarter Grid

Florida Power & Light’s smart grid technology prevented more than 800,000 outages during the active 2024 hurricane season.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Hamlet's Eatery celebrates Hot Dog Day with furry friends

The fifth annual Hot Dog Day was celebrated at Hamlet's Eatery with a hot dog topping bar, free beer samples and furry friends.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
July 5, 2025

Community enjoys barbecue, bubbles at Selby Gardens' Fourth of July

Selby Gardens hosted its annual Fourth of July All-American Cookout.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
July 5, 2025

Fourth of July fireworks light up the Sarasota skies

The public once again had the chance to enjoy fireworks on Sarasota Bay.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Carlin Gillen
July 5, 2025

Sarasota church celebrates Fourth of July with special gathering

The Church of the Redeemer celebrates Independence Day with barbeque, music, prayer and fireworks.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Andrew Warfield
July 3, 2025

Sarasota brothers paddleboard from Bimini to Florida for cystic fibrosis

Two brothers and two friends take on and wi, an 80-mile Atlantic paddleboard challenge in an effort to provide support for individuals and families battling cystic fibrosis.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
July 2, 2025

Sarasota Youth Opera campers perform scenes they produced

Kids created their own lyrics and choreography for four opera scenes, which they performed for their families on the last day of camp.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 1, 2025

The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for July 3-9

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

Arts + Entertainment
Things To Do

Madison Bierl
June 30, 2025

Manatee, Sarasota experts share 'lessons from the eye of the storm'

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance partnered with Florida Power & Light to shed some light on how best to prepare for hurricane season.

East County
Neighbors

Observer Staff
June 26, 2025

Fourth of July 2025 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch

From parades to the classic fireworks, check out these events to help you celebrate Independence Day right.

Arts + Entertainment
Things To Do

Ian Swaby
June 26, 2025

Kids Summer Beach Runs continue to draw crowds

The event takes place every Tuesday at Siesta Beach through July.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
June 25, 2025

Kids come together to plant butterfly garden at Leonard Reid House

Three different educational organizations in Sarasota came together to help plant the garden.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
June 25, 2025

Visitors begin bidding farewell to Sarasota's City Island arm of Mote exhibits

After generations of visitors have enjoyed being entertained and educated at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, many took the opportunity to say farewell before operations shift to the new facility near University Town Center.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
June 25, 2025

Sarasota Chamber of Commerce honors local businesses with spectacle

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce honored winners in 10 categories.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
June 24, 2025

Former Rays pitcher is behind new Raining Berries location in Sarasota

The new Raining Berries location is co-owned by former MLB player and World Series Champion Edwin Jackson and Super Bowl champion star Kenneth Gainwell.

Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink

Observer Staff
June 23, 2025

Tickets now available for 2025 Siesta Key Crystal Classic

Early-purchase ticket, parking and sponsorship opportunities for the annual Siesta Beach sandsculpting event are now available.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Eric Garwood
June 21, 2025

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry stop in Sarasota for lunch

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and Longboat Key condo owner Joe Perry stopped in last week for lunch at Morton's Gourmet Market.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
June 20, 2025

Former Rays pitcher to appear at Southside coffee shop opening

Meet MLB legend and World Series winner Edwin Jackson at new business grand opening.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
June 19, 2025

Local library volunteer showcases collection of dolls from around the world

Jennifer Joseph has collected what she estimates at around 80 dolls from 40 different countries.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
June 18, 2025

Sarasota church The Harvest encourages community unity at Diverse Fest

Residents of all ages turned out for the third annual Diverse Fest at The Harvest Sarasota, which aims to uplift community members from all walks of life.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
June 17, 2025

Juneteenth celebration brings together entrepreneurs

The sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way street fair celebrated some of Newton's best food and craft pop-ups.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
June 17, 2025

The Bay Sarasota celebrates Father's Day

Families packed The Oval for a special Father's Day edition of Sundays at The Bay last weekend.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Carlin Gillen
June 16, 2025

All smiles no trash at Mote's Sea to Shore: Clean and Explore Event

Volunteers of all different ages and organizations came together to celebrate World Ocean Week 2025 and learn more from Mote's Homeschool Students Program.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

By Manasota Flooring
June 12, 2025

Rising Together When Storms Strike

When disaster strikes, families often focus on roofing, windows, and structural repairs—but flooring plays a major role in recovery too.

Hurricane Season

Years of hard work pay off for local high school graduate

Despite dealing with the hurricanes, Sarasota High School graduate Jacob Kalua of Lido Key celebrates his consistent academic record as a scholarship recipient.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
June 10, 2025

Sarasota seniors ring in Pride Month

Project Pride SRQ recognized long-term couples and newlyweds at Silver Pride this year, among other activities celebrating Pride Month.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Carlin Gillen
June 10, 2025

Heroes, villains and cartoon characters come to life at SRQCon 2025

People of all ages were in their best dressed armor, swords and masks for the pop culture convention hosted at the Selby Library.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
June 9, 2025

Keeping 'America's best beach' sharp for World Ocean Day

Representatives from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and Sarasota County are collaborating for an expanded celebration of World Ocean Week, which kicked off with a cleanup at Siesta Key Beach.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Dana Kampa
June 9, 2025

From aluminum to acrylic, St. Armands gets crafty

Local craftspeople showcased their work at last weekend's annual St. Armands Circle Craft Festival.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Ian Swaby
June 9, 2025

Run club at local craft beer bar grows to hundreds in size

99 Bottles' Run Club has become a fitness and social hangout for the local community.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Eric Garwood
June 9, 2025

Maryland Girl Scout donates to Sarasota hurricane relief

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently received a handwritten letter from the fifth-grader, and $77.04. She sold lemonade and hot chocolate to raise the money from last fall until April.