It’s "boom" and "zoom" this weekend in Sarasota, with fireworks and the newly renamed Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival.
"Boom" comes at dusk on Saturday, July 4, with fireworks on the Sarasota Bayfront. Ditto Siesta Key.
"Zoom" culminates Sunday, July 5, with the boat races off Lido Beach. There are two runs: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. It’s the 25th anniversary of the races, which have packed the already-packed July 4 beaches with fans of sun, sand, surf and offshore boat-racing.
But there’s more going on this weekend.
On Thursday, July 2, "The Friendliest Catch" fishing tournament takes place at 8:30 a.m. at City Island in Sarasota. This event, which has been going on as long as the boat races, brings youths who are physically or developmentally challenged out on the water and lets them enjoy great fishing opportunities offered by some great fishing captains.
The best vantage point for watching the races will be the shore at Lido Beach.
Then there’s the parade downtown that night. The boats, the crews and more will head down Main Street from U.S. 301 to Gulfstream Avenue. The parade starts at 7 p.m.
A block party with the boats will be at Main and Lemon Avenue downtown beginning at 8 p.m. There will be live entertainment, food, venders and … oh, yeah, powerboats.
There’s also the Sarasota Reds versus the Tampa Yankees baseball game at Ed Smith Stadium, on 12th Street and Tuttle Avenue, beginning at 6 p.m. Fireworks will be involved. Tickets are $5.
The World Kilo Record Run starts at 7 a.m. and goes through noon on Friday, July 3. The runs start from Centennial Park at 10th Street and U.S. 41 and go north to New College, 5800 Bay Shore Road, near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The runs are one of the most underrated but enjoyable events of the whole weekend, fans say.
Be sure to stop at the "Powerboats by the Bay" event at Centennial Park between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, too. It’s free; there’s food and vendors – oh, and powerboats – plus live entertainment by "Déjà vu" from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and "The Cherry Bombs" from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bikers should enjoy the "Patriotic Souvenir Ride" starting at 9:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post No. 30, 4015 Lockwood Ridge Road. There’s a $10 admission for this event, which ends at the Powerboats by the Bay event.
Bikers also may want to stop by the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall between noon and 2:30 p.m. for the "People’s Choice Bike Show." There’s a $15 charge to enter your motorcycle. The return is a slew of prizes.
"Meet and Greet Who’s in the Driver’s Seat" is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Boathouse at the Hyatt Hotel, at Sixth Street and Sarasota Bay. There’s a $5 charge for adults at the event, but in attendance will be Capt. Keith Colburn of the "Wizard." He’s featured on Discovery Channel’s "Deadliest Catch."
Hang around the Hyatt that night for what is billed as the "World’s Largest Offshore Party" in the ballroom beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15; music will be provided by "My Friend Scott."
Capt. Keith will be back at the Powerboats by the Bay Saturday to sign all sorts of things from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
And then there’s the race off Lido Key on Sunday.
Spearheading this year’s Grand Prix Festival is Director Lucy Nicandri, along with Co-chairs Bob Soran and Tom DeLong.
Since it’s the 25th year of the event, the organizers say, "Sarasota can proudly claim the title for having one of the longest continuously running race sites in the country and one of the few race sites which has raised money for a charity since the race’s inception."
The festival has contributed more than $14 million to construction of facilities that provide programs and services to physically and mentally challenged children and adults, thanks to the efforts of the Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped. Charities assisted by the Suncoast Foundation include Loveland Center, Special Olympics, United Cerebral Palsy, Community Haven and Adult Center, The Florida Center and Oak Park School.
Proceeds this year once again will benefit the Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped.