It will be an uncommonly busy weekend events-wise in the Sarasota area during the off-season in June, with numerous fun and free festivities.
In downtown Sarasota, there will be the final edition of a popular street party series until next season on Friday, a pop culture convention on Saturday, and Asian food festival all weekend.
Ahead of Father’s Day, a block party will celebrate dads at University Town Center on Saturday, while another first Friday street party will take place in Lakewood Ranch.
Looking for even more options? St. Armands Circle Craft Festival will take place in the Sarasota shopping and dining district 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, while Silver Pride celebrating older LGBTQ community members will be held noon-4 p.m. Saturday at Senior Friendship Centers. Both events are free.
Not free, but should still be fun, is the Sarasota Guitar & Amp Show running 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday (plus a 10 a.m.-5 p.m. VIP Dealer Day Friday) at Robarts Arena. Laser Light Nights also returns to Bradenton’s The Bishop Museum from Thursday to Saturday, featuring the music of Pink Floyd, KISS and Aerosmith, plus a family night.
And for fans of stand-up, “Last Comic Standing” season four winner Josh Blue appears Thursday through Saturday at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre in downtown Sarasota, while the very funny comic Matt Braunger performs through Saturday at Visani in Port Charlotte.
1. Fresh Fridays finale in downtown Sarasota
The popular downtown Sarasota street party series, held the first Friday of each month with free admission, will host the final edition of its current season this weekend.
Featuring the theme Dance Dance Sarasota, the event will include music by DJ D2, dance instruction, outdoor games, activities, local vendors and giveaways. 7-10 p.m. Friday; North Palm Avenue, Sarasota; free; facebook.com/freshfridayssrq
2. Foodie World at J.D. Hamel Park in downtown Sarasota
Downtown Sarasota’s J.D. Hamel Park will host this three-day Asian food festival this weekend.
Along with more than 80 food vendors — serving items such as ramen, sushi, skewers, Korean corn dogs, Filipino barbecue, mochi doughnuts, and boba and Thai teas — Foodie World will offer a “Pan-Asian cultural experience,” live entertainment and DJs, night market shopping, games and interactive fun, and photo opportunities.
2-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday; J.D. Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota; free entry; eventbrite.com
3. Dad’s Day Block Party at The Mall at University Town Center
The block party celebrating dads ahead of Father’s Day this year has the theme “Create Your Own Superhero & Bring Your Super Dad!” with attendees encouraged to dress up as their favorite superhero or Tampa Bay sports team athlete.
The event will feature live entertainment, games and activities, mixology demonstrations, superhero cape and mask giveaways (while supplies last), vendor resources, and meet and greets with former Tampa Bay Bucs and Lightning players.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota; free entry; 727-674-1464; floridapenguinproductions.com
4. SRQCon at Selby Library in downtown Sarasota
Downtown Sarasota’s Selby Library will again host this annual pop culture convention on Saturday.
Vendors will be located on both floors of the library selling art, comics, merchandise and more. The all-ages event will also feature panels, demonstrations, cosplay (including a cosplay contest), gaming, virtual reality, escape room, crafts and food trucks.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota; free entry; 941-861-1110; sarasotacountylibraries.org
5. Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street hosts its own free block party and concert series the first Friday of each month, Music on Main, featuring a rotating band and nonprofit along with food vendors, beer trucks and kids’ games and activities.
June’s musical act will be Schmitz Brothers Band, who “will fill the air with classic rock, blues, and old-time country,” and the event will benefit Suncoast AHEPA Chapter 463.
6-9 p.m. Friday; 8100 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch; free admission; lakewoodranch.com
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top Sarasota events this weekend include free block parties, festivals
Reporting by Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
