Dragon Boats To Circus Day; Here's What's Happening This Weekend

SARASOTA, FL -- If you're making plans for the weekend, we've got some suggestions for activities occurring around Sarasota.

Dragon Boat Festival

A colorful armada of dragon boats will invade the 400-acre lake at Nathan Benderson Park. 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle in Sarasota for the annual Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival Saturday, April 21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Competitive and recreational rowing teams will compete in 200- and 500-meter and 2K events hosted by the World Rowing Championships while spectators look on and learn more about the ancient Chinese team sport that dates back to 278 B.C.

In addition to the dragon boat races, the event will include a Health and Wellness Village, where participants and spectators can receive products and services to help maintain a healthy lifestyle, food vendors and a beer garden.

The event is free but parking is $5. All proceeds will benefit the local nonprofit, In the Pink.

For more information, visit the Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival website.

Suncoast Boat Show

The 36th annual Suncoast Boat Show will take place at downtown Sarasota's Bayfront Marina April 20 - 22. Along with hundreds of Cruisers, Runabouts, Bowriders, Sportfishers, Center Consoles, Motor Yachts and inflatables, there will be marine products and accessories. Hours Thursday through Saturday are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admittance is $14 for adults. Children 15 and under will be admitted for free.

World Circus Day

Celebrate World Circus Day with all-day free admission to the Circus Museum at the Ringling April 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See the world's largest miniature circus, John Ringling's Club Cars and explore the history of the circus from ancient times to today at the Ringling Museum Complex, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.

Sarasota Earth Day

Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota are co-hosting an Earth Day celebration Friday, April 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Selby Five Point Park, 1 Central Ave., downtown Sarasota. The family-friendly event will feature music, food for purchase, prizes, a tiny home to tour, electric vehicles and information on how individuals can help the planet by cutting energy use, exploring nature, carpooling, growing local foods and composting. live and work more sustainability, including cutting energy use, exploring nature, carpooling, buying/growing local foods, composting, and more. Visitors can enter a city raffle that will award trees and sustainability-related prizes.

Then, on Saturday, April 21, residents are invited to the 29th annual Sarasota Earth Day Celebration at Oscar Scherer State Park. Admission is free. There will be live music and nature and wildlife to enjoy from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

TownieFest Block Party

The third annual TownieFest Block Party hosted by the Shamrock Pub, 2257 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, will be held Saturday, April 21. The fest will feature live reggae, pop-up food joints, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Waldos' Ale & beers and TownieCup 3v3 street soccer starting at 11 a.m. with DJ Shamrockable cranking tunes. Closing the streets, stages will be set up to host live music starting at 3:45 p.m. with Jah Movement, CLoud9 Vibes, Guerrilla Panic, Summer Survivors and Bri Rivera SRQ. The event is free.

Chillounge Night

The ultimate outdoor lounge party returns to Sarasota Saturday, April 21 from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Chillounge Night is the Sarasota Film Festival's Closing Night/Wrap Party. Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota will be transformed into an outdoor lounge. There will be a Brazilian Samba parade, three live bands, a fashion daybed parade and a variety of food and beverages. Tickets start at $30. Tickets and more info here.

Art, Rhymes & Beer

Art, Rhymes & Beer will present an appetizer party to benefit Shriners Hospital for Children Saturday, April 21 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Shriners Auditorium, 600 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota. The event is a celebration of music, people, art and culture.

Join local artists, musicians and businesses for a live silent auction, a music and art show and the release of curator Ryan "Ryanito" Larranaga's latest EP titled "The Appetizer," with supporting performances from AMIAM, Kristen Warren and Monteasy.

For more information, visit the Art, Rhymes & Beer Facebook page.

Image via Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival