Valentine Stroll, Circus, Fishing Festival & Lots More this Weekend! (Sarasota: Valentine's day, purchase)

[Sunshine Rules]

Love is in the air on Siesta Key Beach, with couples renewing their vows on the beach Friday at 6 pm (reservations had to be in by 2/12 to participate). However, you can still participate in the Siesta Village Valentine Stroll from 5 to 8 pm. Live music, hugs for a buck (no clue as to who will be doing the hugging), free chocolate given out at the gazebo, face painting for the kids. Free. Parking may be a problem, you can park at the beach parking lot & catch a free trolley to the village.

Other Valentine's Day offerings:

Live from Downtown Sarasota It's Friday Night -- Burns Square (So. Pineapple) 6 - 9 pm, free fun.

Free music night at Centennial Park in Venice, 7 - 9 pm, bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.

Romantic dinner at the Powell Crosley Estate, reservations required & ticket prices vary. Go to www.crosleysupperclub.com for more info.

Tony Bennett will be performing at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center at 8 pm, ticket info on their web site.


Friday - Sunday

Antiques Festival at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. Friday & Sat 10 - 6, Sunday noon - 5. Ticket prices?

Sarasota Shell Show -- it's moved to the Bradenton Convention Center this year (aka Manatee Convention Center, they renamed it) in Palmetto, just over the bridge from downtown Bradenton. Friday 12:30 - 5, Sat 10 - 5, Sun 10-4. Tickets $5, kids under 12 get in free.

McCurdy's Comedy Theatre -- Tracy Smith performs (she's been on HBO, Comedy Central). Friday 7 pm, Sat 7 or 9:15, Sun 7 pm. Ticket info at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre


Saturday

Scrub Jay 5K & 10K runs - Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey. Sign up between 6:45 & 7:45 am, 10k starts at 8 am, 5k at 8:10 am. Entry fees $30 per runner.

Sounds of the Beatles show at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum. Shows at 5 & 7:30 pm. $15 per person + 1 drink minimum.

Comedy Magic Show at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, downtown Bradenton. 2 pm show. Adults $30, kids 6 - 12 $25, but you can get 30% off on online tickets purchase with the code: Hypnosis at www.magicdomico.com

Lewis Black, the comedian, will be at the Van Wezel, 8 pm show, ticket info on their web site.


Saturday & Sunday

Sarasota Festival of the Arts -- this is the big arts festival of the winter, nationally known. 10 - 5 pm, on Main Street.

One of my favorites, the Cortez Commerical Fishing Festival in NW Bradenton, off Cortez Rd just before the bridge. Fishing exhibits, lots of seafood, live music & events for the kids. 10 - 6 each day, $3 for adults, kids under 12 get in free. There will be offsite parking at GT Bray Park with a shuttle at $2.50/person round trip.


Running now thru Feb 23rd -- Circus Sarasota Winter Performance, at the big tents on 12th at Tuttle (by Ed Smith Stadium).



A couple of things to put on your calendar for next weekend:

Feb 22nd -- Exotic Car Fest at St. Armand's Circle. Lots of Ferraris, Lamborghinnis & other very expensive 4 wheel toys, 10 - 3.

Feb 22nd -- Pittsburgh Pirates Pep Ralley & Street Festival, downtown Bradenton, 5 - 7 pm.


Which brings up baseball and Spring Training..... both the Baltimore Orioles & Pittsburgh Pirates will be starting their spring training this month in our area. Yes, end of Feb & month of March = spring in Sarasota. When I lived up north we watched for the return of Robins as a sign of spring, here we watch for Orioles.

By the way, the Baltimore Oriole players will be participating in a benefit golf outing on Feb 17th at Laurel Oak Country Club, the Birdland Golf Classic.