#siestakeyfl

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Siesta Amateur Sand Sculpture Contest

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources’ Amateur Sand Sculpture Contest returns to award-winning Siesta Key Beach on Saturday, May 5, for the 46th year.

The free, family friendly contest is for all age groups and all amateur skill levels (no pro’s allowed!)

Friends of Sarasota County Parks and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, are sponsoring cash prizes awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd  place finishers in the adult (individual), adult (team), children (10 years old and younger) and youth (11-17 years old) categories and one overall people’s choice winner.

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Siesta Key Nightlife

Chill out and enjoy hand-crafted cocktails at the Beach Club on Siesta Key in Siesta Key Village.  Featuring occasional live local and national bands, the hottest DJ’s around and outdoor seating this trendy club keeps the tourists coming back night after night.

The Daiquiri deck, a local favorite is popular with all, from families to retirees to students on break.  The Daiquiri deck is a great place to have a nice meal, and sit outside sampling a wide variety of daiquiris, watching people walk through the village, or stop down at their new location on Stickney Point Rd.

Gilligans Island Grill prides itself for providing the best quality of foods, cocktails, service, atmosphere and local entertainment on the Key.  Walking in, you’ll see there are  options on where to spend your time at Gilligan’s. Take it all in and look around a bit. They have a new Tiki Bar and Thatched Tiki Roof – the largest Tiki Bar in the Sarasota area – a great place to  waste the night away in Paradise.  Head inside and you will be treated to some of Siesta Key’s best live bands that play their front deck area daily from 6-10pm and weekends from 2-10pm. Take a selfie in front of the VW Bus that is parked in front of Gilligans Kitchen.  Stroll in a little bit further and you find yourself in the Gilligan’s Main Bar area which exudes a certain Old Florida Charm complete with surfboards, A/C, numerous flat screen T.V’s, great service and almost always a great collection of salty locals enjoying a well deserved break in the day.  Be sure to check out their Back Beach Patio and enjoy some relaxation under the palm trees. On cool nights they may have a fire pit going to keep with the feel of paradise.  At night the flickering Tiki Torches and cool breeze off the Gulf are exactly what you have been looking for.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar (or as the locals call it “SKOB”) has a  laid-back, beachy vibe that will transport you right into the Island Spirit. When you’re at SKOB you feel right at home, like you’re hanging out with good friends on your back patio.  One of the things that sets SKOB apart from the other bars in Siesta Key Village is that they have some of the best food on the Key.

Blasé Café touts itself as ‘home to Siesta Key’s best martinis’. Located close to the beach in the heart of Siesta Key Village, Blasé cafe features craft cocktails and like music starting at 6 pm. In a colorful old home with al fresco seating & a martini bar serving eclectic island-inspired eats.

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Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash

April 20 & 21st head out for a finger-lickin’ good time at the 9th annual Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash in Venice, FL.  This free annual festival

features world-class BBQ, grammy nominated music, tons of family friendly activities and so much more.  This event is a qualifier for The Jack Daniels World Championships, Food Network’s World Food Championships and The American Royal World Series of barbecuing. The nation’s top BBQ teams will compete for a $20,000 purse.  Enjoy a variety of Craft Beers from Goose Island, Firefly Moonshine, Kentucky Gentleman Bourbon, Deep’ Eddy Vodka, Platinum Gin, Fireball, Blue Chair Rum and Margaritaville Gin.  Friday, April 20 gates open 5pm, Saturday, April 21 gates open 10am.

  Music with the following International Bluegrass Music Association award winning bands: – Volume 5 -Russell Moore & IIIrd TYME OUT -Lonesome River Band

Insider tips:

No Pets, Coolers, Beverages or Weapons Permitted

No Umbrellas, Tents, or Backpacks

Tram available from parking to the main gates

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Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Sarasota Jungle Gardens has been a tourist attraction in Sarasota, Florida since 1936. Once described as an “impenetrable swamp,” this former

banana grove was converted into a beautiful botanical garden and bird and animal sanctuary that has emerged as one of the oldest continuously operating tourist attractions in Florida.  A wide variety of birds and animals include Florida’s noted parrots, pink flamingos, crocodiles, lemurs, snakes and more. All within 10 acres of lush, tropical landscaping connected by winding jungle trails. It’s one of the only places you can walk up to and feed free roaming flamingos.  The bird and reptile shows are as educational as they are entertaining and for the youngest visitors  – be sure to check the daily schedule.  Food and gifts and a playground are available on-site.  Be sure to check local guides and their website for discount coupons.

  2018 promotions:

Mother’s Day – May 12th & 13th,  (Buy 1 Ticket – Mom or Grandmother gets in free!  One free Mom or Grandmother admission per regular admission purchase. )

Memorial Day – May 26th-28th (Free admission for all active & retired military  with purchase of same day full priced admission)

Father’s Day – June 16th & 17th (Buy 1 Ticket – Dad or Granddad gets in free!  One free Dad or Granddad admission per regular admission purchase. )

Independence Day Weekend – June 30th – July 4th, (1/2 Off all children’s admissions, plus free admission on July 4th for all active & retired military with purchase of same day full priced admission.)

Back to School Celebration – August 4th & 5th, (All kids free* (up to 3) with the purchase of a full priced adult admission.)

Labor Day Weekend – September 1st – 3rd,  (1/2 Off all children’s admissions)

Veteran’s Day Weekend – November 10th – 11th, (Free admission for all active & retired military with purchase of same day full priced admission.)

  Awards:

Awarded Sarasota Herald Tribune’s 2016 Reader’s Choice – Best Local Children’s Attraction

A Top 10 “Must Do” according to Sarasota Visitor Guide

Trip Advisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence Winner

2015 & 2016 Selected “Best of SRQ Local” by SRQ Magazine Readers

Visit Florida Partner

#SarasotaJungleGardens

#SiestaKeyBeach

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Just South of Siesta Key in Venice, known as the “Shark’s tooth capital of the world,” rocky  Caspersen beach is known as an excellent location for finding fossilized shark’s teeth. During low tide, a ribbon of dark sand is deposited at the water’s edge, where collectors and visitors search for the fossilized shark teeth that often wash ashore. With about four miles of beachfront, Caspersen is typically not crowded.  You can walk along the waterline looking down at the black ribbon of dark sand and spot them just sitting there.  If you want to be productive, pick up a Florida snow shovel at a local Walmart, Ace Hardware or bait shop.   Head out a little into the water where the waves break and there is usually a 6-12 inch drop-off with a pile of larger shells and rocks. Just reach down to the edge of the drop-off or even wade out a few feet into the water to scoop up sand and shells. You can use a kitchen strainer, a shovel or just scoop the sand and shells with your hands. Bring it back up to the beach and look through it to find the treasures or Shark’s teeth, shells, and possibly a whale jawbone or stingray plate.  Want to know what you found?  The Fossil Guy has a great image for identifying your teeth.

  Florida Snow Shovel

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Venice Seafood & Music Festival

Coming up May 5 -6, 2018 is the 2nd Annual Venice Seafood & Music Festival in Centennial Park in downtown Venice.  The festival is a weekend of mouth watering seafood creations prepared by top area restaurants including drinks and live music.  Festivalgoers can surround themselves in the sounds of R&B,  steel pan, jazz and  Caribbean music while having their favorite beverage and eating some of the best seafood our are has to offer.  The festival runs from Saturday 11am-8pm to Sunday 11am – 7pm.  Admission is free.  The festival’s seafood dishes are created using native and sustainable seafood from Florida’s coastal waters.  Of course there are meat and vegetarian options and an assortment of side dishes and deserts..  They also offer a VIP Tent admission for $130 which  includes a raw bar serving steamed snow crab, raw oysters,  peel-and-eat shrimp and an open bar serving premium drinks.  The private tent has dedicated servers and is located for optimal viewing of the live music performances.

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Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival April 21st, 2018

Competitive and recreational teams will be competing in the Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival  at Nathan Benderson park in Sarasota on April 21.  30 dragon boat teams will be competing in this one of a kind event.  The dragon boat festival combines international culture, sport and community involvement in continuing a 2500 year old tradition of ancient China into the fun and excitement of a Sarasota festival. The crew of a