What to do this summer in Lakewood Ranch


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  • | 5:00 a.m. May 19, 2023
Lee County’s Terry Johnson participates in a preliminary round of the Special Olympics Stand-up Paddleboard Championship.
Lee County’s Terry Johnson participates in a preliminary round of the Special Olympics Stand-up Paddleboard Championship.
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June

June 2

Music on Main

This monthly event is on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy a free concert, food vendors, beer trucks and kids activities. Tampa Bay-based Modern Measure Band will perform, and the event benefits Selah Freedom. Continues July 7 and Aug. 4. Visit LakewoodRanch.com.


June 4

Yoga in the Park

Join a free yoga session at 9 a.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Sarasota. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. Event continues every Sunday. Visit LakewoodRanch.com.


The Market

Far from the typical farmers market, The Market at Lakewood Ranch is a curated gathering of the best flavors in the region. Visitors can purchase produce, meat, poultry, seafood, breads, pasta and other prepared foods from more than 100 vendors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Event runs every Sunday. Visit TheMarketLWR.com.


June 7

Classic Car Show

Enjoy classic cars from 5-8 p.m. on Lakewood Main Street. Anyone with a classic car, truck or anything with wheels is welcome. Enjoy food, music and prizes. Admission is free; participation is $10 per vehicle. Continues July 5 and Aug. 2. Visit LakewoodRanch.com.


June 8

LWR 101: Resident Orientation

New to the area or just want to get more involved? Join this resident orientation virtually at 6:30 p.m. at Facebook.com/LWRCommunityActivities. It’s a great chance to learn about the community. Continues July 13 and Aug. 10. Email [email protected] to register.


June 8-11
Sophia Stock (right) and her Women’s Youth Second Varsity 8+ teammates row back to the dock after finishing fourth (7:04.09) in the B Final at the 2022 USRowing Youth National Championships.

USRowing Youth National Championships

USRowing will host its Youth National Championship regatta from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, where spectators can watch a top-level rowing competition. Visit NathanBendersonPark.org.


June 10

Cars & Coffee

Join automotive enthusiasts from 8-10 a.m. in the West District at UTC, by Ford’s Garage, 295 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, for a show of exotic, sports and classic cars. All makes and models are welcome. Admission is free; a suggested donation is $10 per car. Continues July 8 and Aug. 12. Visit SarasotaCarsAndCoffee.com.

June 14

Movies For Heroes

Sarasota Film Society hosts a monthly movie event for the military. Active, nonactive and retired personnel, as well as their families, are invited to Lakewood Ranch Cinema, 10715 Rodeo Drive, Lakewood Ranch, for a free movie starting at 11 a.m. June’s screening is of “The Outsiders.” The event continues July 11 with “Private Benjamin” and Aug. 8 with “Every Which Way But Loose.” Visit FilmSociety.org.


June 15

Night Market

Shop more than 40 local vendors offering produce, handcrafted goods, cocktails and more from 5-9 p.m. on The Green in the West District at UTC. Continues July 20 and Aug. 17. Visit MallAtUTC.com.


June 17
Lakewood Ranch’s Joao Deuner tries on gear from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to show off to his 11-month-old son, Ben Deuner, at the 2022 Dad’s Day Block Party.

Dad’s Day Block Party

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. visit the Grand Court at the Mall at UTC, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, to treat your dad. Enjoy burgers, beer, vendors and giveaways while meeting athletes. Visit MallAtUTC.com.


Liger Luau Fundraiser

Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota, hosts its second annual Liger Luau from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Enjoy animal guests, a silent auction, live music, raffles and games, a Hawaiian-inspired buffet, and more. Tickets are $75 or $50 for children ages 3-12. Visit BigCatHabitat.org.


June 23

Sights + Sounds at waterside place: Songs from the sand — a hermitage cabaret

From 7 to 8 p.m. at Waterside Place. This evening of song will feature original songs and words created by artists at the Hermitage Artist Retreat. Registration is required. Use code “LWR” to waive the registration fee. Visit MyLWR.com.


July

July 1-3

Food Truck Festival

From 2-7 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and 3-9 p.m. Monday in the parking lot of The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Drive, Sarasota, celebrate Independence Day at the Suncoast’s largest food truck festival. More than 70 food trucks will be on site, along with a kids zone. Admission and parking are free. Sunday night will end in fireworks. Visit MallAtUTC.com.


July 3
The 2022 Fireworks 4-Miler begins at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Ian Swaby

Fireworks 4-Miler

The Fireworks 4-Miler race begins at 7 p.m., after the kids’ dash begins at 6:30 p.m. Race day registration and packet pick-up open at 5 p.m. The race will provide a race shirt, a medal and glow gear for all participants, and the top 100 male and female finishers will receive a commemorative prize. Stay for a race after party with food and drinks. Fireworks explode over the lake beginning at 9 p.m. Details to come. Visit RaceRoster.com.


Fireworks rain down over the lake at Nathan Benderson Park.
Photo by Ian Swaby

Fireworks on the Lake

Take part in this fireworks show with festivities beginning at 4 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park. The fireworks will begin over the lake when the sun goes down, around 9 p.m. Details to come. Visit NathanBendersonPark.org.


July 22

Back to School Bash

Florida Penguin Productions hosts a business expo with family services on tutoring, education and after-school programs beginning at 10 a.m. at Ellenton Premium Outlets, 5461 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton. Enjoy school supply giveaways, and pre-register for a free backpack. Visit FloridaPenguinProductions.com.


August

Aug. 18-19

State Stand Up Paddle Competition

The 2023 Special Olympics Florida Stand-up Paddle Competition will see more than 100 athletes compete in a variety of SUP races for medals — and for the fun of it — at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The event is free for spectators. Details to come. Visit SpecialOlympicsFlorida.org.


Aug. 26

Beat the Heat

Camp Gladiator’s Island Challenge Series presents the Beat the Heat race at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The chip-timed fitness race begins at 8 a.m. Participants will receive a race T-shirt and medal upon completing the race. Registration is $69. Visit RaceRoster.com.

 

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