Fun Fall Happenings in Southwest Florida

Fall is here. While our temperatures don't normally 'fall' here in Southwest Florida, our events heat up.


11/1/2011 Penguin Island Exhibit at Mote Aquarium, 10:00 a.m.
Repeats daily until February 29, 2012
Location: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
For more information: www.mote.org

Huey Lewis and the News Soulsville Tour, 8:00 p.m.
Location: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
For more information: www.vanwezel.org

11/2/2011
Free Yoga On Siesta Key Public Beach, 9:00 a.m.
Repeats weekly on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat until December 31, 2011
Location: Siesta Key Public Beach

11/03/2011
Seussical, 8:00 p.m.
Repeats daily until November 6, 2011
Location: The Players Theatre

11/4/2011
Music On Main, Lakewood Ranch, 6 - 9 p.m.
Location: Main St. Lakewood Ranch FL

11/5/2011
Madama Butterfly, Sarasota Opera, 8 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Location: Sarasota Opera House
Host: Sarasota Opera

24th Annual Downtown Venice Art Festival, 10 a.m.
Location: Downtown Venice

21st Annual Sarasota Bluesfest, 11 a.m.
Location: Ed Smith Stadium Complex

Sunnyside Village's 6th Annual Holiday Bazaar, 10:00 a.m.
Location: Sunnyside Village Community Center

11/6/2011
SECA Car Show at Southside Village, 10:00 a.m.
Location: Southside Village at Hillview Street
Host: Southside Village Business Association

11/7/2011
Live From Downtown - It's Friday Night, 6:00 p.m.
Repeats until December 2, 2011
Location: Downtown Sarasota
Host: Downtown Sarasota Alliance

11/10/2011
Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Competition
Nov. 10-14, various hours
Repeats daily until Mon Nov 14 2011 .
Location: Siesta Public Beach Pavilion

Bleus, Brews and Schmooze- Gulf Coast Cheese Fest, 6 p.m.
Location: Polo Grill and Bar

11/11/2011
11-11-11 Marathon of Sarasota, 11 a.m.
Location: Whitaker Gateway Park

11/12/2011
23rd Annual St. Armands Art Festival, 10 a.m.
November 12 - 13, 2011
Location: St Armand's Circle

Sarasota Medieval Fair, 10:00 a.m.
Location: Sarasota County Fair Grounds

11/19/2011
Harvest Festival and Craft Fair, 9 a.m.
Repeats daily until November 20, 2011
Location: Mixon Fruit Farms
Host: Mixon's Fruit Farms

Hispanic Latino Festival 2011, 5:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Sarasota

3rd Annual St. Andrews Scottish Festival11, 6:00 p.m.
Location: MacAllisters Grill & Tavern

14th Annual Great Teddy Bear Run, 9:00 a.m.
Location: Twin Lakes Park

11/20/2011
The Wedding Village, A Bridal Show, 1:00 p.m.
Location: Sarasota Municipal Auditorium

11/26/2011
Light Up Siesta Village, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Siesta Key Village

11/30/2011
Holidays at the Crosley, Festival of Trees, 11:00 a.m.
Repeats daily until December 7, 2011
Location: Powel Crosley Estate

Fun Halloween Happenings in Sarasota

Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Fest - October 15 - 31, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Free admission, and free parking. Activities for the whole family, pony rides, free hay rides, face painting, moon bounce, 40 foot slip n slide, Glob of Death, Torres Family Circus for free and more!
Location: Fruitville Grove, 7410 Fruitville Rd.
Information: www.fruitvillegrove.com or 941.377.0896

Halloween Fun for the Sea Monster in Us All - October 21, 6:30 - 9 p.m.
Delight your inner sea monster just in time for Halloween at Mote's Night of Fish, Fun and Fright. Buoys and ghouls of all ages can discover creatures from the deep in a safe and fun trick-or-treat zone and explore Mote's haunted house, "Shipwreck on City Island." Guests can also unearth shark teeth in "Coffin Creek" and enjoy deep sea delights in the "Diner of the Dead." Mote is also inviting our favorite mateys, the Anna Maria Privateers, for a pirate invasion during this year's event. And don't miss our signature underwater pumpkin carving in our spooktacular shark habitat! Tickets are $6 per person if purchased before Oct. 19. Tickets at the door are $10 per person ($8 for Mote Members). Children younger than age 4 get in free.
Location: Mote Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Information: www.mote.org or 941-388-4441

9th Annual Goblin Gathering - October 21, 6:30 p.m.
Manatee County Parks and Recreation is celebrating the 9th Annual Goblin Gathering at G.T. Bray Park. Bring the family out and join in the costume contest, face painting, hayride, bounce houses, and 18' inflatable slide. In addition, several local businesses will be participating by passing out "treats & sweets" to participants, providing a safe alternative for children to trick-or-treat. Concessions will be available.
Location: 5502 33rd Avenue Drive West, Bradenton
Information: www.mymanatee.org or 941.742.5923

Pup-kin Festival - October 22, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Human Costume Contest Come in Costume or Bring Photo of your Best Halloween Costume, $5.00 Donation Entry Fee, 1st 2nd and 3rd Prizes, Judging is @ 5:00 pm All photos must be in on 10-22-11 by 4pm. *Trick or Treating *Raffles *Bake Sale *Refreshments *Cat Scratch Punch
Location: Humane Society of Sarasota County
Information: http://www.hssc.org/ or 941.955.4131

3rd Annual Sarasota Pumpkin Festival - October 28 - 30, 12 - 10 p.m.
Expected to attract 30,000 Festival Goers. There will be live music, hayrides, face painting, a large variety of cuisine, and tons of games & activities to amuse all ages. Among other things, a costume parade, pie-eating contest, Not So Scary Haunted House and Safe Trick or Treating will also add to the festive atmosphere. Halloween night will be the lighting and unveiling of a wall of approximately 10,000 - 15,000 jack-o'-lanterns donated by our community and local schools. The Grand Finale allows the tradition to continue and will benefit All Children's Hospital Foundation
Location: Sarasota County Fair Grounds
Information: www.SarasotaPumpkinFestival.com or 941.706.7605

Boo Run - October 29, 8 a.m.
Come join us at Lakewood Ranch's Boo Fest 2011 for the Boo Run. The Boo Run is a 5K run, but don't worry you can also walk. In the spirit of Halloween, costumes are much appreciated. It is $30 to register Online and $30 to register on Race Day. Awards: Three Deep for Each Age Group, Best Adult Costume and Best Child's Costume. So come on down to Lakewood Ranch Main Street for a fun, festive Saturday activity.
Location: Westgate Shopping Center
Information: www.bgcofmanatee.org or 941.761.2583