Neighbors | Sarasota | Your Observer

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.

Sarasota
Neighbors

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

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

By JL Bainbridge
November 22, 2024

J.L. Bainbridge’s Growth Benchmark: A Year of Success and Future Vision

The JL Bainbridge Team will continue to monitor market trends and companies that have strong performance and consistent earnings growth, and we will strive to adhere to our long-time company investment principles.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Sponsored Content

Ian Swaby
November 22, 2024

All Faiths Food Bank distributes turkeys at Ed Smith Stadium

With the help of the Baltimore Orioles, the food bank distributed 904 turkeys on Nov. 20, and has a goal of giving out 13,500 turkeys this Thanksgiving season.