The pineapple will drop at Main Street and Lemon Avenue once again as we ring in the new year!  This very popular regional event is being organized by the Downtown Enrichment Association and supported by the City with in-kind services, such as safety barrier set up/removal, garbage collection and public safety.

The festivities are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. with family-friendly amusement rides and games at Selby Five Points Park.  Live music, with performances by Big Night Out, Randy McNeeley and the Dr. Dave Band, will be on stage at Main St. and Lemon Ave. from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.  Food, drinks and concessions will be available for purchase.  And the night will be capped off with a dazzling fireworks display on Sarasota Bay!

More information on New Year's Eve, including where to park, is available here.  We look forward to a fun and safe celebration.  Happy 2022!

City administrative offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 31 in observance of New Year’s Day.  Garbage/recycling and yard waste will be collected as usual.

The following recreational facilities will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1:

• Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex
• Lido Pool
• Payne Park Tennis Center
• Robert L. Taylor Community Complex

For those looking to boost mental and physical well-being by spending more time outdoors in 2022, we invite you to get a head start before the new year!  The Nature Trails at Bobby Jones Golf Club are open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

The Box Office at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will be open New Year’s Eve 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Jefferson Starship performs at 8 p.m. Limited tickets are available for the show. Click here to learn about the health and safety policy for area arts and culture venues.

With holiday travel plans and concerns about the spread of the Omicrom variant, COVID-19 testing needs in the community are on the rise.

The free walk-up and drive-thru testing sites located within the city limits will be closed New Year’s Day.  Hours of operation:

• Robert L. Taylor Community Complex - 1845 34th Street:  Monday – Friday  9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday  9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Closed Jan. 1.
• Ed Smith Stadium - 2700 12th Street:  Daily (seven days a week) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Closed Jan. 1.
• Former Sarasota Kennel Club - 5400 Old Bradenton Road: Monday – Saturday  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Closed Jan. 1.

Florida Department of Health-Sarasota County tells us wait times at RLTCC and Ed Smith Stadium are significantly shorter, although that is subject to change. All three testing sites are operated by private health and lab service providers. 

Additional information on Florida testing sites is available here.

Following the City Commission’s adoption of an ordinance last May requiring vacation rental registration in the residential neighborhoods within the Coastal Island Overlay District, City staff in the Development Services Department have been working diligently to put the new program in place.

Registration begins Jan. 3, 2022 and a certificate of registration must be obtained by June 1.

Recently, letters were sent to 109 property owners whose property was identified as a possible vacation rental on St. Armands Key, Lido Key, Otter Key, Coon Key and the portion of Siesta Key within the city limits. 

The Development Services Department is using available software to identify possible vacation rentals through VRBO, Airbnb and other rental property sites.

After hearing extensive testimony from residents about how vacation rentals are impacting their quality of life, the City Commission adopted the vacation rental registration ordinance last spring. The ordinance establishes an occupancy limit and requires 24-hour contact information for the rental, among other requirements such as a written reminder about sound and parking.

All rentals must adhere to the City’s minimum stay requirement of longer than one week.

More information is available online at www.sarasotafl.gov/government/development-services/vacation-rentals

Fresh Fridays, the new special event held in downtown on the first Friday of the month, resumes after the holidays on Friday, Jan. 7.

The January 2022 edition of Fresh Fridays will be held 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at a new location:  Palm Avenue between the Palm Avenue Garage and Main Street. The theme will be “Dance Under the Stars”.

With the First Friday Gallery Walk on Palm Avenue starting at 6 p.m., it's sure to be a fun-filled evening of strolling, shopping, dining and dancing on Palm Avenue!

Even with stormy weather in November, hundreds turned out for the inaugural Fresh Fridays and interest increased significantly earlier this month for the holiday edition. With Jan. 7 set to be the third installment of this fresh, new event, a review is underway by the Downtown Improvement District and the City on how to fine-tune Fresh Fridays to best suit merchants, visitors and residents. 

Learn more and sign up for the Fresh Fridays newsletter at FreshFridaysSarasota.com

The Van Wezel is back and the 2021-22 season is off to a strong start. The performing arts hall fully reopened in October, after last season was stifled due to the ongoing pandemic.

The season kicked off with two Broadway sensations, Escape to Margaritaville and Come From Away.

The 2021-22 season includes something for everyone. Mid-season highlights will include the return of Beautiful -- The Carole King Musical, Jay Leno, Tango Fire, and KANSAS: Point of Know Return.

Safety remains a top priority at the Van Wezel. Earlier this month, new screening devices from Evolv Technology were installed at both entrances for an added layer of protection and security. Executive Director Mary Bensel and her team are committed to doing whatever they can to make the Hall a safe place for everyone.

COVID-19 protocols continue to be followed and updates are available on the Safety Page of the Van Wezel website as well as social media channels.

A heartfelt thank you to the community for continued support of Sarasota’s cultural arts crown jewel!