Local events for October 2018 in Sarasota and Manatee

Although it may not feel like it, Autumn has arrived in Florida.  Enjoy the slightly cooler fall weather by grabbing your favorite pumpkin spiced treat and checking out these fun local festivals and events.

October 5, 2018: Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch. 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Live music, beer, wine and food available. The Hydramatic will fill the air with stripped down Soul with Soul music and the DJ will keep you dancing with today’s Top 100 hits. Lakewood Ranch is off University Parkway east of I-75.

October 6, 2018: 4th Annual Beer, Bands and BBQ featuring local food and BBQ Vendors, and of course an assortment of beer available for purchase. The music lineup includes 7 top local bands: The Good Time Groove Band, Auto Kania, Jah Movement, Daisy Dukes Band, Steve Arvey, and Fiya Wata. Family friendly. Tickets: $10 – $15 General admission, Students $5. Children 10 and under are free. Noon – 7 p.m. Music Compound, 1751 Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota, FL

October 6 – 7, 2018: 30th Annual Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Fest features hay rides, pony rides, pumpkin painting, face painting, mini train rides, a petting zoo and more. Lots of Halloween decorations for sale, too, from scarecrows to hay bales. Admission, Parking, Petting zoo, playground, live music, and decorated photo spots are FREE! Individual ride and game activity booth, including pony rides, rock wall, bounce house, and pumpkin painting, has their own set price ranging from $2 – $7. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Additional dates are: 10/13 – 10/14, 10/20 – 21, & 10/27 – 10/28. Free admission and parking. East of I-75 off exit 210, on the right. 7410 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL.

October 6 – 7, 2018: 24th Annual Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival. Held in downtown Sarasota at Orange and Main Street, annual two day event features everything from paintings to woodwork. Find, explore and shop among a variety of jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, painting, clothing and much more. Free admission. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 1 Central Avenue, downtown Sarasota, FL.

October 7, 2018: Sarasota’s own Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Team Sunday afternoon show at 2 p.m. at Ski-A-Ree Stadium. This free show takes place at 1602 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL.

October 13, 2018: 4th annual Howl-O-Ween Movie night Spooktacular shown on the Ed Smith Stadium outfield video board. Children can come dressed in their favorite costume to enjoy free games, candy and prizes from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and a costume parade around the bases at 6:40 p.m. The movie, Hocus Pocus, begins at approximately 7 p.m. Bring your blanket for outfield viewing or watch from stadium seating. Concessions available. Admission is a non-perishable food item donation to All Faiths Food Pantry. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Entry is at the left field gate. Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St, Sarasota, FL.

October 13 – 14, 2018: 27th Annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival featuring fun for all including craft booths, live music, pioneer trades village, scarecrow displays, pumpkin games for charity, hayrides, pony rides, petting zoo, frog jumping championships, kids train ride, fresh roasted sweet corn, rock climbing wall, face painting and more. Additional dates: Oct 20 – 21 and Oct  27 – 28. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission $10, kids 12 & under free, parking $5. Hunsader Farms: C.R. 675, halfway between S.R. 64 & S.R. 70, 10 miles east of I-75. Heading north on I-75 from Sarasota take exit 217A or heading south on I-75 take exit 220.

October 19 – 21, 2018: Florida International Air Show at the Punta Gorda Airport. From static displays of aircraft to flying high overhead, the show will also feature a variety of performers. Various ticket prices and options. Friday: gates open at 5 p.m. with performances from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and a fireworks finale. Saturday & Sunday: gates open at 9 a.m. with noon shows. Punta Gorda Airport, 28000 Airport Rd, Punta Gorda, FL.

October 20, 2018: The 21st Annual Cortez Nautical Flea Market with lots of used boat stuff, some new boat stuff, too, to buy or trade along with antiques, dive gear, fishing gear and more. Meet fellow boaters, enjoy some live music, food and have a good time. 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.  Free admission and parking. Open to the public. Rain date: October 27, 2018. Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th Street West, Cortez, FL.

October 20, 2018: 18th Annual Anna Maria Island Bay Fest featuring live music all day including the Dr Dave Band plus a Classic Car Show featuring vintage cars from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., a Kids Zone, arts and crafts vendors, “Taste of the Island” Food Court from local restaurants and vendors, soda, water, beer, wine & rum drinks for sale. Free admission. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Pine Avenue, Anna Maria Island.

October 27, 2018: The 15th Annual Boo Run & Boo Dash is a family oriented 5K run & Dash with a costume contest and awards. More info by clicking here! With over 1,200 runners and spectators expected, the race begins at 8:30 a.m. with a Boo Dash Kids Race at 7:45 a.m. All runners will receive a bib, t-shirt and a treat bag at registration. Costumes will be judged in these categories: Best Couple, Most Creative, Most Funny, Best Male/Female Kids Under 10. Day of late registration starts at 6:30 a.m. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. Main Street off Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Lakewood Ranch, FL.

October 27, 2018: Main Street Live Downtown Street Party kicks off its new season and it takes place on Historic Old Main Street in Bradenton from 5 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. with live music and dancing in the street throughout the night. The event also features food and drink vendors and arts and crafts. No charge to attend. Old main Street, Downtown, Bradenton, FL.

October 28, 2018: Selby Gardens Spooktacular with the whole family. With fun and not too scary festivities, bring your camera for pictures of your costumed family! There will be Trick or Treating, pumpkin decorating, a mad scientist experiment center for kids who are a little older and fun and educational activities for all. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Members: Free, Members’ Guests: $10. Regular admission: Adults $20, kids 4 – 17 $10, Reciprocals: free, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL.