Siesta Beach

948 Beach Road, Sarasota

Also features: sand volleyball. Relax and enjoy lunch on the Siesta Sundeck. This park offers outdoor reservable space/pavilions. Visit scgov.net (keyword reservations) or contact 941-861-PARK (7275).

ACTIVITIES

ANNUAL CRYSTAL CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL SAND SCULPTING FESTIVAL

Nov. 12-15 / All ages / Fee: $10 adult, $5 children ages 5-17 / Beach / Friday-Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with special extended evening hours offered Don’t miss the opportunity to see more than 20 of the best “master” sand sculptors create wonderful works of art from piles of sand. Food, live music, arts and crafts vendors, an amateur contest and educational classes are all part of the fun. For festival details, visit siestakeycrystalclassic.com.

BEACH YOGA

June-December / All ages / Fee: Donation / Beach / Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 9-10:30 a.m. Exercise on one of the nation’s most beautiful beaches. Bring a towel or mat and drinking water. For details, visit yogaonsiestabeach.com.

KIDS’ SUMMER BEACH RUNS

June 8-July 27 / Ages: 1-17 / Fee: Free / Beach / Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, New Balance Sarasota and Sarasota Crew are partnering with Manasota Track Club to present the popular Kids’ Summer Beach Runs once again. This one-mile fun run for kids is a summer favorite and a great opportunity for families to exercise together and have fun at the beach! Weekly registration begins at 5:30 p.m. with staggered race start at 6:30 p.m. Kids receive a participation ribbon at each run. Complete four runs and earn a custom t-shirt. For more details, call 941-861-5000.

SPECIAL EVENTS

5TH ANNUAL SEAFOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

Dec. 3-5 / All ages / Fee: $5 for general admission / In the park / Friday, noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bring family and friends to enjoy fresh seafood and outstanding live musical performances. General admission is $5. There will be food and beverages for sale. For festival details, visit seafoodfestivals.com.

JULY FOURTH COMMUNITY FIREWORKS SHOW

July 4 / All ages / Fee: Free / Sunday, 7-10 p.m. Celebrate our nation’s independence with your feet in the sand as you watch one of the area’s best fireworks shows, hosted by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce. General admission is free. For details regarding reserved parking and special seating opportunities, call 941-349-3800.

LIFESAVING SURF CHAMPIONSHIP

July 21-22 / All ages / Beach / Free to spectators / Wednesday, Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Let’s show support for our Sarasota County lifeguards who protect our citizens and visitors every day of the year. Come cheer them on as they test their skills in various team and individual physical competitions against lifeguards from across the state.

45TH ANNUAL SANDY CLAWS BEACH RUN

Dec. 11 / Fee: $20 youth, $30 adult / Beach / Saturday, 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. fun run start, 8:20 a.m. 5K run start Participate in this 5K or one-mile fun run. Pre-registered participants receive a long-sleeve custom event shirt. This event is sanctioned by the Manasota Track Club. Register at scgov.net/parks. Call 941-861-5000 for more information.

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER EXCITING EVENTS:

June 5-6 SSOVA Volleyball Tournament ssova.com June 27 Run941 Triathlon Series run941.com

Aug. 1 Run941 Triathlon Series run941.com Sept. 26 Siesta Key Triathlon Oct. 2 Great Strides Walk fightcf.cff.org Oct 9-10 SSOVA Volleyball Tournament ssova.com