The 2nd annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Competition was held in November 2011 on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida. This contest drew international sculptors and over 40,000 visitors to Siesta Beach. This video features the World Sandsculpting Doubles Champions – Karen Fralich and Dan Belcher. This team won First Place, the People’s Choice award and the coveted Sculptors’ Choice award.
The 3rd annual event will take place on Siesta Key Beach from November 9-12, 2012.
Make your plans now to attend.
Category Archives: Kid’s activities and events
Siesta Key Florida – Crystal Classic Master Sandsculpting Competition 2011 Winners
Posted in Art Events, Beaches, Events, Festivals, Kid's activities and events, Siesta Key Beach, vacation
Tagged art, beach, Crystal Classic, festival, florida, outdoor, sand sculpture, Sarasota, Sarasota events, Siesta Key, things to do
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Sarasota Towles Court Kite Day Fun
Children and adults had fun making kites at Artists on the Court, a new gallery in Towles Court. Since things to do in Sarasota slow down during summer, this free community art event was a welcome activity.
Kathleen Johnson invited the community to come and help decorate her gallery by creating kites to decorate the gallery on opening night.
Posted in Art Events, Family Activities, Kid's activities and events
Tagged art, artists, fun, gallery, kites, outdoor, Sarasota, Sarasota events, things to do, Towles Court
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Kite Making at Towles Court in Sarasota
Head to Towles Court on Saturday, July 9th from 10-3.
Families with children can create colorful and whimsical kites to display around the outside of Artists on the Court, a new member operated gallery consisting of 14 local artists exhibiting their artwork. Video of the event will follow on SarasotaUpclose.
Posted in Family Activities, Kid's activities and events
Tagged children, family, fun, kites, outdoor, Sarasota, vacation
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Sarasota Payne Skate Park
The Sarasota Payne Park skating facility is now operated by Sk8skool. In 2010, they took over operation of the skate park from the city of Sarasota. Sk8skool operates it as a not-for-profit organization. Sofia Maldonado is a New York muralist and a skater. Recently she designed a mural and worked with students from Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, Booker High School and Southeast High School to execute the design in the Payne Skate Park bowl. This new mural is a vibrant addition to a park that already has skater inspired art. Extended hours and lower rates draw local skaters. And if you’re vacationing in Sarasota, add the skateboarding at the park to your list of things to do.
Posted in Family Activities, Kid's activities and events, Sports, vacation
Tagged art, Booker High School, florida, park, Sarasota, skate, skateboard, skater, skating, vacation
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Sarasota Hispanic Latino Festival
The Sarasota Hispanic Latino Festival featured Charityn and Yovany and many other well known musicians. Sponsored by The Academy of Latin Arts and Science, the event offered food, music, dancing and family friendly activities for children. Mostly a family crowd, the biggest excitement was when Charityn, who has been called the Latin Oprah, appeared onstage. She took the time to meet and take photos with her fans individually and seemed to sincerely enjoy this.
Posted in Family Activities, Festivals, Kid's activities and events, Music
Tagged Charityn, festival, Hispanic, Latino, music, outdoor, Sarasota, Yovany
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Sarasota Bayfront Island Park
Drive through Sarasota, and you can’t miss our beautiful Bayfront Island Park. Right on Sarasota Bay, this lively park is surrounded with water. The winding sidewalks run all along the perimeter of the park and invite you to walk, jog, roller blade, or walk your dog. In fact, this park is a favorite with local dog owners who often congregate on weekends for some doggy socialization.
With huge grass play areas, picnic tables in the shade, trees made for climbing and plenty of benches and swings, Island Park appeals to all ages. Children love splashing in the water fountains and birthday parties are frequent in playground area. It’s located right across 41 from downtown, so this park is convenient. There’s plenty of parking, so whether you walk, drive, bike or boat to the park, you’re sure to enjoy you time here.
And stop in at the tiki bar at O’Leary’s for a drink or a meal. It’s a great place where you can listen to music, enjoy the tropical breeze and watch the boats go by. Your four legged friends are welcome, too.
Make sure you add Bayfront Island Park to your list of great things to do when you vacation in Sarasota.
Sarasota Florida Fun Family Activities
Sarasota is a splendid destination for your family vacation. Yes, Sarasota does have some of the most amazing beaches in the US, but it’s not just a beach destination. When you’re looking for other diversions, you’ll find a variety of family friendly things to do.
Check out Mote Marine Aquarium for a close up look at marine life and current research and conservation programs. The entire family will enjoy seeing over 100 species of marine life, including sharks, dolphins, manatees, seahorses and sea turtles.
Mote is open every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General admission: Adults (over 12): $17; Youth (4-12): $12; Children (under 4): are admitted free. Mote is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy. on City Island, 1 mile north of St. Armand’s Circle.
If you’re looking for educational fun, you’ll also want to experience the Sarasota Science Museum – G.WIZ. It’s all about having fun with science and technology. See more details about G.WIZ.
For the animal lovers, the Big Cat Habitat is a sanctuary for animals right here in Sarasota. Not just tigers and lions and bears…you can also see coatimundis, a camel, birds, lemurs, tortoises and more. And don’t miss the Mia the Liger. Yes, a liger – her mother is a Bengal tiger and father is a lion!
The sanctuary is located at 7101 Palmer Blvd. The habitat opens at 12:30 five days per week, but the schedule may be changed based on the weather. So check their event calendar for current activities and prices or call them at (941) 371-6377 for all the details.
Your children will also appreciate some non-structured, imaginative play time. Make sure you plan to visit the unique Sarasota Children’s Garden and let the kids be kids. You can’t beat this whimsical spot for family fun.
These are just a few of the family friendly amusements you’ll find when you vacation in Sarasota.
Sarasota Florida International Street Painting Festival
The Avenida de Colores Burns Square Chalk Festival started in 2007 with just 22 adult and student artists. By 2010, the Sarasota International Street Painting Festival had over 250 street painters attending from all over the world. And as if the magnificent performance art isn’t enough, the event includes so many family friendly activities: pumpkin carving, the childrens’ chalk area, almost non-stop bands, great food, magic, street performers. Add a fashion show and a film festival. Where else can you have so much fun in Sarasota?
The excitement goes on all day and into the night during the annual 3 day festival. This is a great event to schedule your Sarasota vacation around. And unlike most activities that provide this much entertainment, there’s no admission fee!
See the video of Tracy Lee Stum from California who created a 60′X30′ 3-d piece entitled Mousetrap.
There’s sure to be a full roster of exciting events this year. One addition will be sponsored graffiti artists who will transform dozens of walls in downtown Sarasota into magnificent works of art and compete for prizes. The 2011 theme is the “Pavement Art through the Ages”. You can keep track of all of the plans at the Sarasota Chalk Festival website.
So mark your calendar! Invite your out of town friends. The 2011 Sarasota Chalk Festival is set for November 4th – 6th. Hope to see you there!
Posted in Art Events, Festivals, Kid's activities and events
Tagged burns court, children, festival, Sarasota events, street painting
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Sarasota Florida GWIZ – The Science Museum
G.WIZ opened to the public in 1991 with only 1,000 square feet and just ten hands-on exhibits. This science and technology museum now boasts a $3.5 million 33,000 sq. ft. facility located downtown on Sarasota’s bay front. A great place for a day of your vacation or an excursion with your children or grandchildren, the facility also offers educational programs and activities for kids throughout the year.
G.WIZ says it’s mission is: To be the gateway for lifelong adventures in science.
I visited during the 1st Annual Maker Faire – a festival “celebrating innovation, arts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset”. Judging by the animation of the children at the museum that day, I’d say GWIZ is on the right track for their mission. Interest in science and technology is clearly encouraged here.
There are numerous interactive exhibits, and it’s great to see kids involved with the level of enthusiasm usually reserved for theme parks and video games! Some of the more popular things to do include:
- Tech Zone: Experiments with screws, levers, pulleys, gears and hydraulics.
- ExploraZone: Learn about electricity, magnetism, sound and light. Float a ball in mid-air at the Bernoulli Blower. Make a bolt of lightning, at the ever popular Plasma Ball.
- Mindball – Relax and move matter with your mind.
- Habitat: Meet some of Florida’s native inhabitants who live in Sutton’s Garden.
GWIZ is open Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday 12 Noon – 5 pm. There are ongoing special exhibits, classes and activities. Check the GWIZ website calendar for details about Sarasota events happening now.
Admission Prices: Child (3-16) $7 ; Adult (16+) $10 General admission prices and membership does not include special events or exhibits, so call for details: 941.309.4949.
Sarasota, Florida – Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – Sarasota, Florida.
Opened to the public on July 7, 1975, Selby Gardens sits on a stunning 14 acre location on Sarasota Bay. Over 130,000 visitors annually come to this museum of over 20,000 plants. In addition to thousands of colorful exotics, Selby Gardens has a remarkable collection of more than 6,000 orchids. The grounds are often a venue for private parties and weddings.
The cafe is open everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and offers sandwiches, salads, soups, pastries and other snacks. The Garden Shop offers a selection of plants, books and gifts especially for children. A great place to shop for gifts for plant lovers, this shop also helps support the gardens.
The Gardens are open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM every day except Christmas Day, so make it a point to schedule part of your vacation time in this lush tropical spot.
Admission prices: Adults $17, Children 6-11 $6, Members Free.
An annual membership begins at $60 and includes:
- Membership for one adult
- 1 guest per visit
- 2 free distribution plants annual Fall Members’ Day
The gardens is the location for many Sarasota events also offers classes year round: gardening, photography, art, and health/self discovery! Members get discounts on class fees.
See a list of the current events at the gardens on their website calendar. Contact the gardens for information about group tours and school programs at 941-366-5731.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is located at 811 South Palm Avenue in Sarasota.
