Save the dates

The social scene is packed, as usual, for the fall. We’re looking forward to countless events this season — but here are 10 through the end of 2014 we already have circled on our calendar.

Taste of St. Armands
When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17

Where: St. Armands Circle

Savor the Circle at the Taste of St. Armands, which highlights the restaurants and food-related businesses of St. Armands Circle. The event benefits All Faiths Food Bank. For information, call 388-1554.

Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun & Fright
When: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17

Where: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway

Cost: $8 online in advance; $12 at the door, or $10 for Mote members

Sail the spooky seas in costume at Mote’s Night of Fish Fun and Fright.

Children of all ages are invited for a night of trick-or-treating that includes Dr. Frankin-Fish’s Lab of Horrors, recommended for children 8 and up, Coffin’s Creak, where children can unearth sharks’ teeth and deep sea delights in the Diner of the Dead. The event includes an educational program for ages 2 to 5 and underwater pumpkin carving in Mote’s spooktacular shark exhibit.

For information, visit mote.org/Halloween.

Longboat Key Triathlon
When: Race starts at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 19

Where: Begins at Islandside golf course at the Longboat Key Club and Resort, 301 Gulf of Mexico Drive
The Longboat Key Triathlon and Duathlon is already 90% sold out, according to organizers.

The international distance triathlon course consists of a half-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, 20-mile bike ride and 5-mile run. For sprint distance, participants will swim a quarter-mile, bike 10 miles and run 2.5 miles. Duathlon racers will bike 20 miles and run 5 miles.

This year, the Michelob Ultra After Party will follow the race with table dining and entertainment. To register, visit lbktriathlon.com.

Ageless Creativity Concert featuring Al Hixon
When: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23

Where: Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art & Design, 6860 Longboat Drive S.

For the sixth year, the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design will hold its “Ageless Creativity” exhibits and awards in celebration of the creative process and its transcendence of time.

This year, the Arts Center will celebrate with a concert featuring legendary Longboat jazz drummer Al Hixon, who has pursued his love of music since childhood.

The concert is one of several events planned as part of the “Ageless Creativity” series. For a full list of events, visit ringling.edu/LBKCA.html and search for the Fall 2014 preview.

Fright Night on St. Armands
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31

Where: St. Armands Circle

This Halloween event is a “Thriller” of the night, culminating in an 8 p.m. Sarasota High School Drama Department’s performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Throughout the evening, children can trick-or-treat in their costumes and experience the Circle’s spookiest night with frightening characters, storefront decorations and statues decorated in the Halloween spirit. For information, call 388-1554.

Sarasota Bay Water Festival
When: Festival is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1; After Party and Aqua-Garde Fashion Show are 7 p.m. to midnight.

Where: Ken Thompson Park, City Island; After Party continues at a downtown Sarasota location.

“Enjoy the bay” is the theme of the third annual Sarasota Bay Water Festival, which celebrates the importance of Sarasota Bay to the region’s environment, economy and way of life.

The festival includes live music, dragon boat races, raffles, an art zone, panel discussions, an “I Love Sarasota Bay” photo contest and more.

This year’s festival features a new component: The After Party and Aqua-Garde Fashion Show that will continue at a downtown Sarasota location to be announced. The party will feature more live music and a costume contest.

For information, visit sarasotabaywaterfestival.com.

Longboat Key Historical Society Annual Fish Fry
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7; dinner is served from 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Cedars Tennis Resort, 645 Cedars Court

Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at the door

This year, the Longboat Key Historical Society will offer another chance to fill up on fish and other fried fare at the Annual Fish Fry.

For the second year, the fundraiser will take place at Cedars Tennis Resort, where attendees can fill their plates and enjoy two complimentary beers or glasses of wine, along with spirit drinks on a cash basis.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Annual Fish Fry without music from Blues Pig, which will perform live at the event.

36th Annual Holiday Night of Lights
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5

Where: St. Armands Circle

Santa Claus is coming to St. Armands Circle.

The holiday event begins with a performance by the Cuban Ballet School from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Then, the Circle joins in a Christmas carol sing-a-long to welcome Santa Claus as he arrives in the Santa parade to help light up the Circle’s Christmas tree. The event includes entertainment, specials at many Circle businesses and photo-ops with Santa throughout the evening. For information, call 388-1554.

Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party
When: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

Where: Islandside golf course at the Resort at Longboat Key Club, 301 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at the gate

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key pushed the Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party back by four weeks this year, but the event will be worth the wait. This year, organizers hope to draw 32 restaurants and raise $70,000 for scholarships and local children’s charities.

One lucky raffle winner will walk away $20,000 richer, and organizers have four major runner-up prizes planned that they will soon announce.

15th Annual Observer Challenge
When: Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14

Where: Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, 590 Bay Isles Road

Swing into season with the 15th Annual Observer Challenge in which teams of four (two men and two women) compete in four levels of play. The format is unique to USTA tournaments because it includes both singles and doubles for each team. For information, call 316-8367.