Pictorial of Events

Author: Siesta Sand

The Wallenda Walk Things that make Sarasota unique: Where else can you go to a neighborhood park for a walk or bike ride and happen upon a circus aerialist practicing his craft? That was the case on a recent weekday morning as Nik Wallenda held one of his last practice sessions at Nathan Benderson Park before heading to Arizona to take a stroll across the Grand Canyon. A bit of rain was no problem for the Circus Sarasota performer. After all, if he can deal with 3500 feet of vertical drop, what's a little bit of rain? (photo by R. Frederickson)
Aspiring aerialists testing the lines on Siesta Beach

Pan American Championships
The Pan American International Masters Swim Championships were held in Sarasota and for the first time in the USA. The championships were attended by swimmers from 28 different countries.

Sarasota resident, Tony DeDominicis was ranked 8th for the 800 meter Freestyle and 9th for the 200 meter Breast Stroke. His biggest coup was to be awarded a bronze medal for the one-kilometer Open Water Swim, which he actually accomplished while nursing a broken foot.

Juan Luis Martinez Luccani of Venezuela crossing the finish line of the Pan Am Masters Open-Water Swim Championships. Juan finished in third place in his age category. (Photo by Treber Britt)

Ryan Ballance (48) of Siesta Key, (upper right) looking for his name on the final results sheet of the Pan Am Masters Open-Water Swim Championships. He competed in the three kilometer open-water race in the 45-49 year-old age group and finished 5th. Ryan is a firefighter at Sarasota County Fire Department Fire and Rescue Station 13 on Siesta Key. (photo by Trebor Britt)

Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Race
photos by Trebor Britt
Bruce Day (foreground) of Siesta Key, waiting for the start of the 6-mile "Elite" division stand up paddle board race off the glistening shores of Siesta Beach. He and his wife own Siesta Key Fitness Center.

Mia Raffaele (12) and Madison Massey (14) of St. Petersburg posing with the stock paddle boards they will use in 3-mile junior girls race, under 17 division. This is the fifth time they've raced competitively. (Madison Massey finished 2nd in the Junior Girls division)

THEY'RE OFF…Competitors beginning their 6 mile stand up paddle board (SUP) race.

About 130 racers have come from as far north as Georgia, and as far south as Key West. The two other races this year willb be held at Nathan Benderson Park on August 24, and at Sarasota Sailing Squadron October 12.

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Announces Dates for 2013 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition

4th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic confirmed for November 15-18, 2013

2012 First Place Winners: Delayne Corbett and Craig Mutch from Canada

Ten teams of master sand sculptors from the United States and abroad competing for 1^st place on the #1 beach will be back Nov. 15-18, 2013, for the 4^th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic. The Crystal Classic has become a favorite of many of the professional sand sculptors who have competed here. Citing the beauty and cleanliness of the pristine white sand, sculptors have remarked that their sculptures look almost as if they are "carved in marble."

Sponsorships and vendor spaces are now available. For more information visit: www.SiestaKeyCrystalClassic.com. VIP Parking packages with multi-day passes starting at $49, will be available for purchase online in the next few weeks.

Proceeds of the Siesta Key Crystal Classic benefit Mote Marine Laboratory's sea turtle research and conservation programs.

For more information about Siesta Key Crystal Classic contact the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce – 941-349-3800; email info@SiestaKeyCrystalClassic; or visit www.SiestaKeyCrystalClassic.com.

Author: Siesta Sand

May 30, 2023

Register for Liberty Litter Cleanup

The ninth-annual Liberty Litter Cleanup will be held throughout Sarasota County, including Siesta Beach, from 7 to 9 a.m. July 5. The locations are those that receive heavy use during the Fourth of July. The five-year average of trash and recyclables collected is 1.5 tons per year. Preregistration is required by noon on June 28. […]

May 15, 2023

‘Scooter’ to be at Siesta Key Rum tent May 21

Fans of both Scooter of the Beach and Siesta Key Rum can double-dip on Sunday, May 21, when Scot Ruberg (aka “Scooter”) will be signing bottles of the limited-edition toasted coconut rum that celebrates his likeness. He’ll be at the Siesta Key Rum tent at the Siesta Key Farmers Market in Davidson Plaza, which runs […]

May 15, 2023

Get prepared for hurricane season via public presentations

Do you know what you need to prepare for hurricane season? Prepare early, plan ahead!The Sarasota County Emergency Management team will hold a series of free, public presentations at the following dates and times to help residents prepare for hurricane season, which begins June 1. This is an opportunity for the community to meet the […]

May 15, 2023

Fireworks sponsorships now available

Sponsorship opportunities for the annual Siesta Key Community Fourth of July Fireworks are now available. Sponsor packages include reserved parking as well as food, beverages and seating in the VIP viewing area on Siesta Beach. VIP packages available on limited first-come, first-serve basis. To register online, visit: https://siestakeychamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/1717 To download a registration form: https://chambermaster.blob.core.windows.net/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/2312/File/2023FireworksSponsorshipForm.pdf For more […]

May 15, 2023

Vendor spots now available for Crystal Classic

Vendor registration for the 2023 Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival is now open. Each November the festival attracts more than 30,000 people to Siesta Key’s award-winning Siesta Beach. Here’s a chance to market your product or service at this year’s event. A limited number of vendor spots are available along the west […]