Spring has sprung and April welcomes another month of fun-filled local events! From Meet the Marauders to the Siesta Fiesta there are definitely some can’t miss events and festivals going on this month.
April 3, 2018 – Meet the Marauders: 5:30pm-8pm – The Bradenton Marauders will host “Meet the Marauders” with live music and games, including corn hole, speed pitch, prize wheel, photo booth where fans can pose for pictures with Marauders players, and on-field autograph session! LECOM Park, 1611 9th Street West, Bradenton, FL.
April 5, 2018 – Ringling Underground: 8pm-11pm – This event features an eclectic mix of local and regional live music. Check out up-and-coming artists displaying their work in the Museum of Art Courtyard. Select galleries will be open until 11:00pm. For tickets or more information Click here to visit Ringling Underground.
April 5 – April 8, 2018 – Florida Winefest Auction: Various times and places – It’s wine weekend in Sarasota! There are numerous events throughout the weekend including: wine tastings, lunches, Winemaker Dinner Party, Sparkling Wine Reception and Luncheon, Banquet on the Block, Grand Tasting Brunch and Charity Auction, and Wine on the Water. Visit Florida Winefest for more information and to purchase tickets.
April 6, 2018 – Music in the Park at the Riverwalk in Bradenton: 6pm- 8pm – Pack a picnic basket and bring a blanket or chairs and come enjoy this pet friendly, free event. Kim Betts & The Gamble Creek Band will be performing at the Bradenton Riverwalk Mosaic Amphitheater. Beverages and snacks available for purchase. This concert series will occur every Friday evening through April 27, 2018.
April 6, 2018 – Music on Main at Lakewood Ranch: 6pm-9pm – It’s the first Friday of the month so that means it must be time for Music on Main at Lakewood Ranch. Bring your chairs and leashed pets but please leave the cooler at home. Beer, wine and food available for purchase.
April 6 – 7, 2018 – Rowing Returns to Sarasota – Watch the southeast’s top collegiate rowing teams take to the waters of Nathan Benderson Park for the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association (FIRA) FIRA Rowing Regatta. Click here for more race information
April 6 – 8, 2018 – Sarasota Bradenton Spring Home Show – Explore new ideas and everything for the home as you interact with a wide variety of home improvement experts and get inspired for your next DIY project. Free admission and parking. Friday 10 am. – 7 pm, Saturday 10 am. – 7 pm & Sunday 10 am – 6 pm. Robarts Arena at the Sarasota Fairgrounds Visit Home Show Florida for more information.
April 7, 2018 – 32nd Annual Run/Walk for the Turtles – sponsored by Mote Marine on Siesta Key Public Beach. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Siesta Key Gazebo south of the pavilion. The one-mile fun run or walk begins at 7:30 a.m. The 5-K Run begins at 8 a.m. The entry fee benefits the Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory. Click here for more info or to sign up.
April 7, 2018 – 16th Annual Sarasota-Manatee Ohio State Alumni Club Golf Outing – The event will be held at the Highlands Course of The Meadows Country Club, 3101 Longmeadow, Sarasota with a tee-time of 8:30 am and lunch following in the Regency Room. Those wishing to register for the golf tournament can do so by going to www.sarasotabuckeye.org to register.
April 11 – 14, 2018 – 6th Annual Whiskey Obsession Festival – Whiskey Obsession is the largest world whiskey festival in the U.S., with four days of classes, tastings, lunch and dinner pairings, bartender academy, panel discussions, cigars, VIP pours, live music street party, and grand tasting with hundreds of whiskies to sample. For more information visit the Whiskey Obsession website.
April 13 – 15, 2018 – 26th Annual Venice Sharks Tooth Festival on the Airport Festival Grounds in Venice. Admission is only $4, kids under 12 are free and there’s even free parking! This is one of the spring’s most popular events in Venice, there are fossils, food, arts and crafts, entertainment and children’s activities. Friday 4 pm to 9 pm, Saturday 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday 10 am. to 5 pm. Learn more at sharkstoothfest.com.
April 13 – 22, 2018 – 20th Annual Sarasota Film Festival. All the glitz and glam of Hollywood comes to Sarasota during this event’s 10 days of movies, celebrities and parties! For a full schedule and more information visit the Sarasota Film Festival website.
April 14, 2018 – Beach’N Food Truck Festival on Anna Maria Island. This event will feature several live bands, a huge classic car show from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., arts and crafts vendors, a kid zone and Local bands. Plenty of food trucks will be on site including some of the area favorites! Beverages will be available for purchase including wine, margaritas, rum runners and cold beer to soft drinks and water. Event runs 10 am – 8 pm on the South end of Coquina Beach.
April 14, 2018 – Children’s Book Fair and Family Fun Day at the Bradenton Farmers’ Market from 9 am – 2 pm. This free event includes a dozen children’s book authors signing their books, live readings of the authors’ books, hands-on activities about how food grows and vegetable gardening, planting summer vegetable seedlings to take home and grow, craft making, a scavenger hunt, and more.
April 20 – 21, 2018 – 9th Annual Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash at the Venice Airport Festival Grounds. This food and fun-filled event will feature, live music, kids park, chili cook off and more chicken, ribs, pork and beef brisket than you can sink your teeth into! Friday 5 pm. – 9 pm, Saturday 10 am – 6 pm. Free parking and admission.
April 21, 2018 – Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival – Gather 24 of your friends, co-workers, family, etc. and form a team! Boats, life-vests, paddles and coaches are provided…you provide the fun! Various entrant/team fees. Beer garden, food vendors, Health & Wellness Village and more. This event is open to the public for free. $5 parking (cash only). This festival benefits the local non-profit, In the Pink. For more information call 904-534-3266. 8 am. – 5 pm at Nathan Benderson Park. Visit the Dragon Boat Festival website for more information.
April 21, 2018 – 29th Annual Sarasota Earth Day Celebration at Oscar Scherer State Park. Get back to nature and enjoy the beautiful sunshine-filled Florida sky with free admission to one of Sarasota’s most popular parks. With so many events scheduled, sites to see, live music and nature and wildlife to enjoy, you can probably fill the entire day’s schedule from 10 am to 4 pm.
April 28, 2018 -De Soto Heritage Festival Grand Parade – Come out and see this region’s largest parade! Parade route will begin at 6:30 pm at Manatee High School then goes west on 9th avenue, north along 39th street to Manatee avenue, then turning east headed toward downtown to 9th street. With over 150 parade entries and about 200,000 expected attendees, you’ll be in great company!
April 28 – 29, 2018 – 40th annual Siesta Fiesta – This always popular will take place in Siesta Key Village from 10 am. – 5 pm. It’s sort of a farewell party for all of our “snowbird” friends from the colder climates of the northern U.S, Canada and around the world. It is one giant outdoor block party with hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, merchants, food stands and live musicians jam-packed into Siesta Key Village.