Top 5 fun things to do in Sarasota, Bradenton this Father’s Day, Juneteenth holiday weekend
It's a double holiday weekend with Father's Day on Sunday and Juneteenth on Monday, and we have lots of exciting events taking place in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
In addition to the five featured events spotlighted below, keep in mind that the Summer Circus Spectacular, the annual collaboration between the Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling, continues to bring family-friendly entertainment to the lavish and intimate Historic Asolo Theater on the museum grounds at 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. For more information, visit ringling.org.
Meanwhile, Laser Lights Nights continues at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in downtown Bradenton at 201 10th St. W., near the west entrance to Riverwalk. For more information on these planetarium laser light shows set to music by star rock and pop acts, visit bishopscience.org/laser-light-nights.
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1. The free Friday Fest concert series returns to Van Wezel lawn along Sarasota Bay with Kettle of Fish
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s free, outdoor summertime concert series overlooking Sarasota Bay returns with Kettle of Fish. One of the region’s most popular and respected acts, the band is led by singer-songwriter Dana Lawrence and specializes in expertly performed rock, blues and reggae classics peppered with smart, fun originals. There will be food vendors and beer, wine and cocktails for sale, and while blankets and lawn chairs are welcome, outside food and beverages, including coolers, are prohibited. 5-9 p.m. Friday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; free; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
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2. Dad’s Day Block Party at The Mall at University Town Center with food, drinks and axe-throwing
The Mall at University Town Center will host its annual Dad’s Day Block Party on Saturday. The free event is scheduled to include food and drink sampling, live entertainment, player meet-and-greets from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning, batting cages and axe-throwing, and a men’s expo with 30-plus vendors. I'd also recommend taking Pops by the newly opened Rocco’s Tacos for some of the tastiest Mexican food in town or fellow UTC favorite Ford's Garage, which is among the best restaurants for burgers in Sarasota-Manatee. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota; 941-552-7000; utcsarasota.com
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3. Sarasota's historic Black community Newtown hosts Juneteenth Block Party
Sarasota’s historic Black neighborhood Newtown will host a family-friendly block party to celebrate Juneteenth, the federal holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. The event will take place along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, between Osprey Avenue and Pershing Avenue. The event will include food trucks, vendors, a DJ, live music, and family-friendly activities. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Newtown, Sarasota; free; sarasotafl.gov
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4. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in Sarasota hosts Juneteenth Arts Festival with a 'Rad' musical performance
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's inaugural Juneteenth Arts Festival will feature an outdoor stage for spoken word and live music including a performance by “RAD.” The group of popular WBTT artists Raleigh Mosely II, Ariel Blue and Derric Gobourne Jr. will perform soul and R&B hits. The free event will also include food trucks and screenings of movies by local filmmakers and students from Ringling College of Art & Design. 1-9 p.m. Sunday; Westcoast Black Theatre, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota; free; 941-366-1505; westcoastblacktheatre.org
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5. A special Father's Day movie screening of 'Top Gun: Maverick' at CoolToday Park in North Port
CoolToday Park, the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves, continues its popular Summer Movie Nights series on Sunday with a screening of the best Dad movie of recent memory, "Top Gun: Maverick." The Movie Nights take place on most Sundays during June and July inside the stadium with the films shown on the scoreboard. Parking is free, and seats are available in the seating bowl. Please note that outside food, beverages, and chairs are not allowed inside the stadium. However, you can enjoy refreshments at the Superior Pools Tomahawk Tiki Bar & Grill, which is open during the event. 5 p.m. Sunday; CoolToday Park, 18800 S. West Villages Parkway, North Port; $7 adults, $3 (ages 4-9); 941-413-5004; cooltodaypark.com/movies
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Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best fun things to do in Sarasota, Bradenton on Father's Day weekend
