City News: Grinch Sightings, The Bay's 3rd Anniversary, Veterans Day

City of Sarasota, Florida sent this bulletin at 10/31/2025 03:00 PM EDT

Oct. 31, 2025

Hello Everyone,

Following a month-long celebration filled with dozens of family-friendly events, The Bay Park's "Three Years and Thriving at The Bay" culminates this weekend! We're excited to welcome the headliner Brian Kelley (initially the Florida half of Florida George Line) and Ghost Hounds on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 7 to 10 p.m. The fun will continue on Sunday, Nov. 2 with an all-day Best of The Bay Music Fest. Live performances start at 2 p.m. and wrap up at 6 p.m. with a special performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Details about performances, interludes and information you should know before you go can be found on The Bay’s website. Hope to see you there!

As part of The Bay's festivities last week, we celebrated the restoration of the historic Chidsey Library and the new tree-lined promenade along U.S. 41 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Chidsey rehabilitation was an 18-month, $3 million investment to preserve Sarasota’s first public library that opened in 1941. The new 1,000-foot-long promenade features Royal Palms and canopy trees and connects three historic structures --- Chidsey Library, Blue Pagoda and Municipal Auditorium – all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The walkway now offers a tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly entry into the park. These are significant milestones for The Bay - Phase 2, which also will include new day docks, a bayfront restaurant, resilient shoreline and a town square. These amenities are expected to be completed in 2026-27. In the meantime, the City Commission unanimously approved The Bay moving forward with Phase 3, which will focus on the Canal District with plans to include enhancing boat launch and trailer parking capacity and much more. We’re thrilled with the ongoing transformation of these 53 acres along the Bayfront into a blue-green oasis and one park for all. Thank you to everyone involved -- and keep up the great work!

Tonight is Halloween! Be on the lookout for little ghouls and goblins when you’re out and about. For trick-or-treating safety tips from the Sarasota Police Department, check out City News below.

And…this weekend marks the end of Daylight Saving Time. Make sure you "fall back" one hour on Sunday, Nov. 2. And, however you spend that extra hour -- strolling over the Ringling Bridge, enjoying a beautiful sunset on Sarasota Bay or just catching up on your sleep -- we hope you enjoy a terrific weekend in our special city.

Happy weekend!

Regards,

Liz Alpert
Mayor

News and Updates

SPD: Halloween Safety

Sarasota Police officers loved seeing everyone at the Trunk or Treat event at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex earlier this week! The creativity and excitement from our community remind us why we’re honored to serve and protect such an amazing city.

With Halloween tonight, the Sarasota Police Department encourages everyone to keep safety in mind while enjoying whatever festivities you and your family have planned. Parents are reminded to review trick-or-treating safety tips with their children before heading out:

Stay in well-lit neighborhoods
Walk in groups and on sidewalks whenever possible
Cross streets at corners and use crosswalks
Add reflective materials or glow sticks to costumes to stay visible
Carry a flashlight when walking after dark
Approach only well-lit homes where porch or exterior lights are on
Eat only factory-wrapped candy from trusted sources
Check all treats for anything that looks opened or out of place
Give pets their space. Costumes and crowds can make them uneasy.
Report suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.

Before leaving home, double check that all doors and windows are locked. If you’re handing out candy, keep your porch well-lit and walkways clear of obstacles. Drivers are asked to slow down, eliminate distractions and never drive under the influence. Plan a sober ride home before your night begins.

Also, as we “fall back” one hour on Sunday, Nov. 2, it's a good time to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries if needed. Remember, it will be getting darker earlier now. Please slow down and allow extra travel time during evening commutes.

Stay safe, Sarasota!

Van Wezel: The Grinch has arrived in Sarasota!

The Grinch has made his way to Sarasota a little ahead of schedule after hearing it’s one of the best places to visit! He’s been spotted all over town, meeting kids at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex's Trunk or Treat, hopping on Discover Sarasota Tours’ Trolley, stopping by the beach, and even attempting to steal the show at Nik Wallenda’s Wonderland Circus. If you haven’t seen him yet, you can still catch him at Fright Night on St. Armands Circle TONIGHT from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Grinch checking out Trunk or Treat this week at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.

Soon, you’ll be able to see everyone’s favorite green grouch on stage at the Van Wezel when Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical arrives in Sarasota Nov. 14-16. The beloved Broadway production brings the classic holiday tale to life with eye-catching sets, unforgettable songs like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and plenty of festive cheer for all ages.

The Van Wezel will also host a sensory-friendly performance on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 10:30 a.m. This special showing offers a warm and inclusive environment for all guests, featuring softer lighting, lower sound levels, and a relaxed atmosphere where movement and noise are welcome. A quiet room, fidget tools, and noise-reducing headphones will be available for anyone who needs them.

Celebrate the season with The Grinch and make some merry memories in Sarasota. Tickets are on sale now at VanWezel.org.

Access Sarasota

Access Sarasota, a longtime collaborative effort between Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota for government access television programming, is temporarily unavailable due to the planned relocation of the County’s administrative offices. With the County building in downtown Sarasota recently becoming unoccupied, signal transmission between the Access Sarasota master control center and the City has paused.

Sarasota City Commission, Planning Board and other public meetings still can be watched via livestreaming or on demand on the City’s website at Sarasotafl.gov/City-Services/Meetings-Agendas-Videos City Commission meetings also are livestreamed on Facebook.

The temporary programming interruption only affects Comcast channel 19 and Verizon channel 32 in the Sarasota city limits. Regular cablecast service is expected to resume when the County’s new administrative building, with a permanent Access Sarasota master control center and fiber connection to the City, is completed and opens east of I-75.

Sustainable Communities Workshop: Nov. 6

Sarasota County’s 20^th annual Sustainable Communities Workshop is less than one week away on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Located at the Harvest House Learning Enrichment Campus, 3650 17^th Street, this community event brings together residents, students, and community members from all walks of life to learn from and network with knowledgeable speakers on topics ranging from resilient architecture to sustainable business, climate communication, and more.

Interested in attending in-person or virtually? Tickets are on sale now! Visit scgov.net/SustainableCommunities for more information or contact SustainableSarasota@scgov.net or call 941-861-9874 for assistance with registration.

Veterans Day: Nov. 11

Heads up! City administrative offices will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

Garbage and recycling collection will not be impacted by the holiday. City facility hours may vary.

The Bay Runner will operate regular hours, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a route change from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to accommodate the annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street.

Reminder: The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Main Street and Orange Avenue, a different location than past years, and end at 11 a.m. at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park with a ceremony honoring all who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces.

We hope you’ll join us in this patriotic recognition for all who have served our nation.

Shred Stock: Nov. 8

Shred Stock, a free, drive-thru document shredding event, is back following a successful inaugural event earlier this year!

This popular community event will return Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall parking lot, 777 N. Tamiami Trail.

City residents with proof of residency are invited to participate in this free opportunity to protect sensitive personal information against fraud by securely destroying unnecessary or out-of-date documents.

Participants can have up to four boxes of documents shredded. Just place the boxes in the trunk of your vehicle, then our Records and Information Management staff will remove and securely destroy the documents on site.

While you wait, enjoy live music from well-known local band The Garbage Men who will be playing their signature homemade instruments.

You won’t want to miss Shred Stock!

A Taste of Newtown: Nov. 8

You’re invited to join us Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex from noon to 5 p.m. to enjoy a free, family-friendly festival honoring the rich history and culture of Newtown.

A Taste of Newtown will celebrate the community's listing on the National Register of Historic Places with live entertainment, delicious food, performances, historic tours and more. With many local vendors, cooks, artisans, and performers, there’s bound to be something for everyone!

Registration is not required, but those who RSVP will be entered to win raffle prizes! Join us as celebrating Newtown at this unique community event.

Click here to RSVP.

Whitaker Gateway Park: Historical Marker

Earlier this month, a new historic marker was placed at Whitaker Gateway Park, courtesy of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources.

The marker, titled “Along These Shores,” recognizes the subterranean remains of an expansive Native American settlement below what is now Whitaker Gateway Park. Native Americans inhabited the site from roughly 2,500 years ago until the arrival of European settlers.

The site at Whitaker Gateway Park is one piece of a chain of evidence of Native American inhabitation that extends approximately one mile or more in either direction along Sarasota Bay and inland toward Whitaker Bayou. Although only fragments of evidence of the inhabitants and vast shell middens that previously made up the Sarasota shoreline remain, it is important to memorialize and commemorate what has been and can be preserved.

We appreciate Sarasota County installing this permanent historical marker for residents and visitors alike to learn about the history along these shores.