Celebrate National Dog Day, National Cuban Sandwich Day, and more fun things to do in Sarasota this weekend.
What are the best restaurants in Florida? Here are 15 of our favorites.
Discover the best restaurants in Florida, recommended by USA TODAY Florida Network food journalists for 2024.
It’s officially the dog days of summer, and we have the perfect August event to keep you and your pet cool and happy: the National Dog Day Luau Pool Party at Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar in Sarasota.
There’s also the two-day Sarasota Shark Tooth Festival at Robarts Arena, Beertopia benefiting the Hernando De Soto Historical Society at the Manatee County Fairgrounds’ Veterans’ Hall, and a back-to-school party and open house at the new Music Compound facility in Sarasota. Classic film fans can also catch “Meet Me in St. Louis” at the Sarasota Opera House.
Read on to learn more about all of these events, and remember that Friday is National Cuban Sandwich Day. I recommend celebrating the day with a Cubano at Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle (411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota), JR’s Old Packinghouse Cafe (987 S. Packinghouse Road, Sarasota), or Mirna’s (7980 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota) – my three favorite Cuban restaurants in the Sarasota and Bradenton area.
Now open: The St. Regis beach hotel in Sarasota with waterfront restaurants and bars
August Events 50+ Fun Things to Do in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice and Punta Gorda in August
September Events 50+ Things to Do in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice and Punta Gorda in September
Ticket newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news, reviews, and activity information every Friday.
1. National Dog Day Luau Pool Party at Boo’s Ice House and Dog Bar in Sarasota
Celebrate National Dog Day by bringing your dog to Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District. Boo’s, which also serves delicious pizza and has a full bar, brings pools and splash pads to the backyard. There will be live music from the band Cabana Dogs, along with cold, tasty treats from Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Happy Paws Salon will offer dog baths and nail trims, and Tender Heart Charities will be on-site offering dog items for sale as well as adoptable dogs and puppies. Sunday, 2-5 p.m.; Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar, 1314 10th St., Sarasota; 941-960-2669; boosdogbar.com
2nd Sarasota Shark Tooth Festival at Robarts Arena
Not to be confused with the Venice Shark’s Tooth Festival, which takes place in April and was founded in 1992, the second annual Sarasota Shark Tooth Festival will be held at Robarts Arena. There will be exhibits, vendors, activities and educational sessions. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $12, $6 for military and seniors, free for children under 12; sarasotafair.com
3. Beertopia at the Manatee County Fairgrounds
The Hernando De Soto Historical Society’s annual Beertopia fundraiser, presented by Cerveza Pacífico Clara, offers guests a selection of local and craft beers, seltzers and spirits. There will also be food from local restaurants, live music, silent and live auctions and raffle tickets. 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday; Manatee County Fairgrounds (Veterans’ Expo Hall), 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto; $65 (21+ only); 941-747-1998; desotohq.com
4. Back to School Party and Open House at the Music Compound in Sarasota
Music Compound, which recently moved into a new 10,000-square-foot facility at 775 Bell Road in Sarasota, is hosting a back-to-school party and open house. The event includes tours, practice sessions, live music, food trucks and a bounce house. Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Music Compound, 775 Bell Road, Sarasota; free admission; 941-379-9100; musiccompound.com
5. “Meet Me in St. Louis” with Judy Garland at the Sarasota Opera House
The historic downtown Sarasota Opera House continues its summer classics series with “Meet Me in St. Louis,” originally scheduled to be shown in June but canceled due to an air conditioning malfunction. A 1944 Christmas musical classic starring Judy Garland. Her unforgettable performance notably includes the debut of the timeless holiday carol “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $12; 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org
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 Þjórsárden, on facebook. And Instagram. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribe.
