Happy Independence Day and welcome to the best weekend of the summer here in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, and probably everywhere else in the land of the free and home of the brave.
If you are reading this on Thursday, July Fourth, be sure to make plans to see some of the fireworks displays lighting up the sky this evening over iconic places such as Sarasota Bay, the Manatee River, and Charlotte Harbor.
Of course, the weekend fun does not end after the fireworks finale! Continue reading to discover the five best events taking place in Sarasota and Manatee counties on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
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1. Hot Dog Day at Hamlet’s Eatery in Sarasota
If you’re like me and love eating a hot dog or three over the July Fourth holiday weekend but don’t enjoy manning the grill in this Florida summer heat, stop by Hamlet’s Eatery for their anniversary celebration. In addition to hot dogs (regular or vegan), there will be live music, “wiener” dogs from Low Rider Rescue, and, my second favorite part, free beer samples from Big Top and Sun King Brewery. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; Hamlet’s Eatery, 821 Apricot Ave., Sarasota; 941-445-1938; hamletseatery.com
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2. Fourth of July Weekend BBQ at Boo’s Dog Bar in Sarasota
One of my favorite restaurant openings of 2023, Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar, celebrates the holiday weekend with everything from barbecue plates and adult slushie drink specials to a special “four-legged platter” for the canines. Plus, there will be complimentary cake and live music by Dirty Little Secrets. 5-9 p.m. Saturday; Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar, 1314 10th St., Sarasota; 941-960-2669; boosdogbar.com
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3. Free block party Music on Main at Lakewood Ranch
The monthly Lakewood Ranch block party series, Music on Main, continues with the street lined with food vendors and beer trucks, as well as rides and activities for children. The free entertainment also includes live music, and proceeds from the event benefit a different local non-profit organization each month. 6-9 p.m. Friday; Main Street, Lakewood Ranch; lakewoodranch.com
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4. Summer Circus Spectacular at The Ringling in Sarasota
Summer Circus Spectacular, the annual collaboration between the Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling, brings family-friendly entertainment to the lavish, intimate and air-conditioned Historic Asolo Theater. The production features world-class circus artists including contortionist Uranbileg Angarag, the Bello Sisters acrobatic hand balancing, and hair hang act by Camille Langlois. Also, keep in mind after attending Summer Circus Spectacular, you can enjoy access to the Circus Museum on the same day for just $5. Friday through Aug. 17; Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; $20, $15 children age 12 and younger; 941-360-7399; ringling.org
5. Classic Movies at the Sarasota Opera House
The historic Opera House in downtown Sarasota continues its annual summer movie series with a screening of “On the Waterfront,” a 1954 crime drama often touted as one of the best motion pictures ever made. Directed by Elia Kazan, it stars Marlon Brando in one of his iconic performances, which includes the famed line, “I coulda been a contender.” 7:30 p.m. Friday; 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 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: Best things to do this July 4th weekend in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice
