Top 5 fun things to do in Sarasota, Bradenton this weekend, including a free beach event
Summer has officially arrived and our list of best June events for Sarasota and Manatee counties heats up with a free admission volleyball tournament taking place on one of our favorite beaches. You'll also find information on a Caribbean celebration, as well as where to find circus thrills for the whole family, a movie screening at a spring training baseball park, and light shows set to rock and pop music hits.
In addition to the five events featured below, the second annual Suncoast Summer Fest series of fundraising events organized by Suncoast Charities for Children kicks off with the Bob Rizi Memorial Golf Classic on Friday, Friendliest Catch Fishing Tournament on June 28, and Waves & Wheels Kickoff Party on June 30.
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1. Beach volleyball tournament at Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island
The Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association will be hosting a beach volleyball tournament this weekend at Coquina Beach on the south end of Anna Maria Island in the city of Bradenton Beach. It's free to attend and will take place right by the Coquina Beach Cafe, where you can enjoy casual seafood platters and sandwiches as well as frozen drinks, beer and wine. Play starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday; Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach; free; ssova.com
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2. Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebration in North Port
The seventh annual Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebration will take place in North Port and feature Caribbean cuisine, live music, culinary demonstrations, raffles, and prizes. Until 6 p.m., there will also be a family/kids zone. 1-9 p.m. Saturday; City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port; free (bring your chair or blanket), $12 reserved seating; eventbrite.com
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3. Summer Circus Spectacular at The Ringling in Sarasota
An annual collaboration between the Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling, Summer Circus Spectacular brings family-friendly entertainment to the lavish and intimate Historic Asolo Theater. The production features world-class circus artists including aerialists, acrobats, contortionists and clowns. Also, keep in mind after attending Summer Circus Spectacular, you can enjoy access to the Circus Museum on the same day for just $5 more. Today through Aug. 12; Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; $20, $13 ages 12 and under, $50 opening night gala and performance; 941-360-7399; ringling.org
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4. Summer Movie Nights 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 1996 film "Space Jam" starring real-life basketball legend Michael Jordan alongside Bugs Bunny and a bunch more beloved Looney Tunes characters. 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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5. Laser Light Nights at Bishop in Bradenton with AC/DC, The Beatles, KISS, and The Doors
Since relaunching last May, these planetarium laser light shows set to music by star rock and pop acts have been a huge success. This week's lineup features several titans of classic rock including AC/DC, whose lead singer Brian Johnson lives in Sarasota. The shows are held at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in downtown Bradenton at 201 10th St. W., near the west entrance to Riverwalk. The planetarium has four upcoming shows this weekend: The Beatles at 7 p.m. Friday and The Doors at 9 p.m. Friday; as well as KISS at 7 p.m. Saturday and AC/DC at 9 p.m. Saturday. Beer, wine, soda, water, and snacks will be available for purchase in the planetarium lobby from 6 to 9 p.m., and they can be taken into the theater. Please note that no outside food or drink is permitted inside the lobby or theater. Tickets are priced at $15. For more information, visit bishopscience.org/laser-light-nights.
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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: fun things to do Sarasota, Bradenton this weekend, free beach event
