Suncoast Summer Fest Runs Thursday Through July 4

SARASOTA, FL — The city of Sarasota is counting down to one of its biggest annual events, the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, which returns this summer rebranded as the new Suncoast Summer Fest.

Starting Thursday and running through July 4 — ending with a spectacular fireworks display that evening — a series of fun community events, including the centerpiece, a double bill of powerboat and personal watercraft racing along Lido Beach, is scheduled.

With Suncoast Charities for Children transitioning from being the primary organizer of the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, to organizing Suncoast Summer Fest, Powerboat P1 will continue its role as race promoter, according to a news release from Suncoast Summer Fest.

This will include all aspects of race management, as well as the production and distribution of a one-hour international television show on CBS Sports Network and Bally Sports Regional Networks in the United States. The one-hour broadcast will also be shown internationally on leading sports channels.

The event returns after last year’s enforced break because of the coronavirus pandemic. Though travel restrictions remain in place for most overseas competitors, the Grand Prix is still expected to attract a significant fleet of powerboats and personal watercraft racers, the Suncoast Summer Fest said.

Event Schedule

There’s a lot planned during the Suncoast Summer Fest. Here’s a full schedule of events:

• Waves & Wheels Festival Kickoff Party: Thursday, June 24, 6 to 10 p.m., at Robarts Arena at Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd.
• Meet and Greet: Who’s in the Driver’s Seat: Friday, June 25, 1:30 to 3 p.m., at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail
• Boats on the Block Downtown Block Party: Friday, June 25, 6 to 10 p.m., Main Street/Lemon Avenue
• Red, White & Blue Motorcycle Poker Chip Run: Saturday, June 26, registration from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson, 330 Cattlemen Road
• AquaX Races: Saturday, June 25, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Lido Beach
• Powerboat & AquaX Races: Sunday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Lido Beach
• Friendliest Catch Fishing Tournament: Tuesday, June 29, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Sarasota Outboard Club, 1604 Ken Thompson Pkwy.
• Rosemary District Night Market: Tuesday, June 29, 5 p.m., in the Rosemary District
• Southside Village Stroll: Wednesday, June 30, 4 to 9 p.m., along Hillview Street and S. Osprey Avenue
• Newtown Backyard BBQ Cook-Off: Thursday, July 1, 6 to 9 p.m., at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and N. Orange Avenue
• Suncoast Summer Fest Boat Fun Run Welcome Reception: Friday, July 2, 6 to 10 p.m., at The Westin Sarasota, 100 Marina View Drive
• Celebration in the Park: Saturday, July 3, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, July 4, 3 to 7 p.m., at J.D. Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive
• Suncoast Summer Fest Boat Fun Run: Saturday, July 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Sarasota Bay
• Suncoast Summer Fest Boat Fun Run Post-Run Awards Dinner: Saturday, July 3, 6 to 9 p.m., at Embassy Suites, 202 N. Tamiami Trail
• July 4 Parade: Sunday, July 4, 8 p.m., starting at U.S. 41 and Orange Avenue and ending at U.S. 41 and Main Street
• Bayfront Fireworks: Sunday, July 4, 9 p.m., at Marina Jack’s at Bayfront Park, 2 Marina Plaza

Learn more about the upcoming Suncoast Summer Fest events here.

Road Closures and Parking

The races and festivities will attract thousands of people to the city, Sarasota police said in a news release.

Police have shared parking and road closures for city residents and guests during the festival. Vehicles not removed by the posted time will be towed at the owner’s expense, police said. For information on towed vehicles, call Upman’s Towing at 941-364-7084.

Van Wezel Parking Lots/Van Wezel Way from East End to 10th Street: Closed from Thursday, June 24 at 11:59 p.m. until Sunday, June 27 at 10 p.m.

Boats on the Block Downtown Block Party: Lemon Avenue closed from First Street to Main Street Friday, June 25, 1:30 p.m. to midnight.

That same day, from 3:30 p.m. to midnight:

• Main Street will be closed from Orange Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue
• Central Avenue will be closed from First Street to Main Street
• Pineapple Avenue will be closed from First Street to Main Street
• South Palm Avenue will be closed from Main Street to McAnsh Square
• North Palm Avenue will be closed from Main Street to Alley Way
• First Street will be closed from Central Avenue to Pineapple Avenue

Centennial Park/Boat Ramp Closures: This area will be closed from Thursday, June 24, 11:59 p.m. until Sunday, June 27, 6 p.m. It will be utilized as the staging area for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. A suggested alternative boat ramp includes Ken Thompson Park on City Island and various boat ramps in Manatee County and southern Sarasota County.

New Pass Closure: On the water, New Pass will be closed west of the New Pass bridge during the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Saturday, June 26, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Boaters will still be able to access the cove.

July 4 Fireworks and Parade Road Closure/Limited Parking:

• On Sunday, July 4, 6 to 9 p.m., Orange Avenue will be closed from Oak Street to Mound Street for the parade staging area.
• Bayfront Drive will be closed from Osprey Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue from 7 to 11:30 p.m. for the parade and fireworks.
• The parking lot at Bayfront Park/Island Park will be closed when the parking lot has reached maximum capacity. No parking will be permitted on the grass area on the south end of Bayfront Park.
• Parking will not be allowed in the median on John Ringling Boulevard, though it has been permitted in previous years.
• Additional parking will be available at the Palm Avenue and State Street parking garages. Expect delays when exiting due to heavy traffic. There are no parking fees on Sundays and city-observed holidays.