2020 Photography as Art - Camera Club
Exhibit
Friday, March 6 at 5 pm. - Opening Reception
Boca Grande Art Center
236 Banyan St., Boca Grande
The show continues Saturday, March 7 and Sunday,
March 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information
call (941) 964-1700.
Annual Strawberry Festival
Saturday March 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Boca Grande Community Center grounds
131 First St. W, Boca Grande
The annual United Methodist Women’s Strawberry
Festival, one of Boca Grande’s most popular community
events, draws hundreds of bargain seekers and
lovers of homemade strawberry shortcake each year.
All proceeds support programs to improve the lives of
women and children locally and internationally through
worldwide mission programs. Contact the Boca
Grande United Methodist Church for information at
(941) 964-2479.
JF Library Foundation Spring Book Sale
Johann Fust Community Library
1040 W 10th St., Boca Grande
• Monday, March 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 11, from 9:30 a.m. to noon
Come to the Spring Book Sale at the Johann Fust
Community Library, presented by the Johann Fust
Library Foundation. Hundreds of almost-new and
used hardback and paperback books, DVDs, CDs and
rare books. Come get your supply of summer reading
material. For more information call (941) 964-0211.
Coffee with a Scientist
Tuesday, March 10 at 9 a.m.
Woman’s Club Room
Boca Grande Community Center
131 First St. W, Boca Grande
Join Speaker Dr. Erinn Muller, Science
Director of Mote’s Elizabeth Moore
International Center for Coral Reef
Research & Restoration for a discussion
on corals. Dr. Muller’s goal is
to determine how coral health and
disease change under climate change and ocean acidifi -
cation conditions. Dr. Moore will be available for casual
conversation and Q&A. This free event is open to the
public.
2 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE January/February 2020
RPP Presents: Nunsense (The Mega Musical)
Tuesday, March10 through Sunday, March 15
Show times are 7 p.m. except Sunday, which is 5 p.m.
Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium
131 First St. W, Boca Grande
Nunsense is a hilarious spoof about the misadventures
of fi ve nuns trying to manage a fundraiser. Sadly,
the rest of the sisterhood dies from botulism after
eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia, Child of God.
Thus, the remaining nuns - Sister Leo, Sister Robert
Anne, Sister Mary Amnesia, the Mother Superior Sister
Regina and mistress of the novices Sister Mary Hubert
- stage a talent show to raise the money to bury their
dearly departed. Featuring tap dancing and comic
surprises, this show has become an international
phenomenon. Tickets are $50. Call the Royal Palm
Players offi ce at (941) 964-2670 for tickets.
Spaghetti Dinner
Sunday, March 15 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Louise du Pont Crowninshield Community House
240 Banyan St., Boca Grande
It’s time to gather the family and head out to one
of the island’s fabulous spaghetti dinners. For just $10
you can get all the spaghetti you care to eat, as well as
side dishes and desserts. All proceeds assist in
providing scholarships for secondary education for
island children. For information call (941) 964-0400.
Free Outdoor Concert Series:
Boca Grande Irish Fest!
Monday, March 16 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Boca Grande Community Center grounds
131 First St. W, Boca Grande
Join us for Boca Grande’s fi rst Irish and Celtic
festival, a little taste of culture “On the Green” at the
Community Center. Enjoy Celtic music, traditional food,
dance demonstrations and whiskey tasting.
Performances by Blue Skye Pipes and Drums, showcasing
bagpipes, drums, Celtic harp and guitar, along with a
rich variety of vocals and highland dancing, and by Emily
Ann Thompson, who will perform traditional Irish,
Scottish and Canadian fi ddle tunes, sing in English and
Irish Gaelic, and clog while fi ddling. Headlining the
festival is West of Galway, providing a mixture of vocals,
guitar, fi ddle, bodhran, whistles, concertina and even
bones.
This is a free family event open to all community
members. BYOB, snacks, and a lawn chair or blanket.
Punta Gorda 16th Annual Hibiscus Festival
Friday, May 1, (6 to10 p.m.), Saturday, May 2 (9 a.m.
to 4 p.m.) & Sunday, May 3 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Gilchrist Park, 400 W Retta Esplanade, Punt Gorda
This one-of-a-kind celebration shares the unique
history and character of Punta Gorda and its connection
to the hibiscus. Friday concert runs from 6
to 10 p.m. There will be fl owers, bands, food and fun.
Admission fee is $2 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Please bring a chair or blanket so you can relax and
enjoy the day. Huge plant sale Saturday 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. and Sunday from10 a.m. to 3. p.m. Many of our
vendors do stay open for business during the evening
entertainment. See thehibiscusfestival.com for details.
Full Moon Ghost Tours
Friday, May 8 - 8 p.m.
Historic Spanish Point,
337 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey
Come explore Historic Spanish Point in the
moonlight. Every month on the Friday closest to the
full moon, there is a full moon walking ghost tour.
This unique storytelling tour will take you on a walk
among historic houses, prehistoric mounds, and our
pioneer cemetery while you hear the ghost stories
and tales of mystery about Sarasota and Florida that
you will not hear during our daylight tours.
All tours are $20 per person and will last
approximately 90 minutes. In the event that the tour
is canceled due to severe weather conditions, then
it will be rescheduled for the following Friday. For
more information, call (941) 966-5214 ext. 0.
Happy Mothers Day! - Sunday, May 10
Sunsets and Show Jumping $25,000
Grand Prix
Saturday, May 16 - 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Fox Lea Farm, 800 N Auburn Rd,
Venice
Join us for the 2020 Spring Concours
Series of Grand Prix Show
Jumping! Gates open at 3 p.m., fi rst
horse on course at 5 p.m. VIP Tables available. Free
parking, admission $10 per person.
Call (941) 809-6361 for information
or see foxleafarm.com.
Sea Turtles Everywhere
Wednesday, May 20, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Stump Pass Beach State Park, Englewood
Come explore sea turtle nests at Stump Pass
Beach State Park with an expert state park ranger.
No fee for this program, however, all donations are
greatly appreciated to further enhance educational
programs.
There is a $3 vehicle fee to park at Stump Pass
Beach State Park. For more information and to
register see BarrierIslandParksSociety.org/events.
16th Annual Howl at the Moon
Invitational Tarpon Tournament
Saturday, May 16 - fi shing from 7 to 10 p.m.
Boca Grande Pass
Ready to do some tarpon fi shing? Cost is $600
per team. Winners will be determined by the most
releases. Many prizes will be awarded. For information
or to register your team call Special Effects/
Gasparilla Outfi tters at (941) 964-0907 or go
online at gasparillaoutfi tters.com.
4th Annual St. Armand’s Seafood & Music Festival
Friday, May 22 - 4 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 23 - 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, May 24 - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
St. Armands Circle Park, Sarasota
Come enjoy delectable seafood dishes and
entertainment by top local and regional musical
performers. Free to attend.
All food entrees (seafood, meat and vegetarian)
prepared fresh onsite by local restaurants and food
purveyors.Seafood dishes are created using indigenous
and sustainable ocean resources from Florida’s
coastal waters. Foods will be accompanied by a delicious
assortment of side dishes, desserts and drinks,
both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
While enjoying your meal and drinks enjoy the
sounds of live musical performances on stage by
some of Florida’s and the region’s top musical talents.
Music will be from such genres and R&B, jazz,
rock, reggae and Caribbean sounds.
Memorial Day - Monday, May 25
All dates & times
are subject to change.
Please contact event
organizer before
attending.
/thehibiscusfestival.com
/foxleafarm.com
/events
/gasparillaoutftters.com
