- December 3, 2024
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Amid the damage left in the wake of Hurricane Milton, Sarasota residents still have some happenings to look forward to as the fall season gets underway.
That's due in no small part to some quick cleanup efforts.
Following the storm's interruption to everyday life, Fruitville Grove prepares to host its annual Pumpkin Festival, while The Bay moves ahead with its Two Terrific Years at The Bay Anniversary Community Celebration.
At Fruitville Grove, a family-owned farm, the cleanup process has been underway since the day after Milton came through.
The facility saw some damage, with roofs destroyed on two buildings, and a concessions trailer incinerated during the storm due to a downed power line.
However, Fruitville Grove owner Kim White said the hurricane will not be putting a stop to the fall spirit, with the festival, which is normally held throughout the month of October, resuming for Oct. 19-20, and 26-27.
This year, visitors can also find a new "Haunted Manor" attraction.
“There’s so many local families; all the craft vendors, the artisans, and also the food trucks, they really depend on the Pumpkin Festival, and so the show must go on," White said.
She said some in the community have been asking whether the festival could be extended into November to make up for the lost time, but said this may not be possible based on permitting.
On Oct. 14, the farm was still awaiting some necessities. Although power had been restored and the downed power line removed, White said she was hoping to have water restored on Oct. 15.
“We’re so grateful and so blessed that all the people are okay, all the animals are okay, and no major structures were lost," she said.
About three days were spent on roof work.
When the festival opens, the public can find everything offered in the past including crafts, pony rides, hay rides, a mini train ride, pumpkin painting and face painting.
The Hollowgraves Haunted Manor attraction comes from New Jersey, where it was formerly featured in Keansburg Amusement Park.
The attraction is entirely the work of Stan Ambro, now a resident of Englewood, who created it by hand, including its animatronic characters.
Intended for brave younger kids about eight and older, it has multiple rooms to visit, as well as live actors.
It's the first time the festival has hosted a haunted house in several years.
Previously, the manor had had to withstand the impacts of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, and although it was disassembled entirely for Hurricane Milton, it made it safely through that storm as well.
For both of the upcoming weekends, there will also be circus performances, with a magician who will create balloon animals.
White hopes everyone can find a respite from the storm at the event.
“We would love to have the leaves change, and some sweater weather, and just peruse around and enjoy an outdoor festival and a market and have some fun," White said. "Forget cleaning up limbs and taking plywood off of our windows. We all just want to walk away for a moment and have some have some fun with the family.”
In Saturday's newsletter, The Bay surveyed the community on what they hoped to see in October's event schedule.
The overwhelming response, from 90 percent of the public, was that they wanted the Two Terrific Years at The Bay Anniversary Community Celebration to continue, as planned, throughout the month of October.
The park is now open to the public, but according to Diana Shaheen, director of park guest experience at The Bay, that wasn't without a considerable effort.
On Thursday and Friday, the Bay Park Conservancy assessed the damage to the park, then worked quickly to make the park operational again.
That included the Ibis Playground, the mangrove walkway, as well as every path and feature within Phase 1 of the park, amid the collapse of trees large and small, and many debris.
“The park performed as it's designed to do for resiliency,” Shaheen said of its Phase 1 projects. “It suffered some damages, but for the most part, those damages are predictable.
The series of anniversary events, which is being held throughout the month of October, can now go on.
That includes an Oct. 18 concert by the Scottish funk and R&B band Average White Band, now on its final concert tour, with an opening performance by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, as well as the popular Boo! at The Bay on Oct. 25, a family Halloween celebration that will include a haunted trail for trick-or-treating in addition to sensory-friendly experiences.
It also means the Two Terrific Years at The Bay Community Celebration Party, which celebrates all things two, including twins, can also take place on Oct. 16.
The storm did result in the cancellation of Bark-toberfest at The Bay, which had been planned for Oct. 12, while The Bay is working to reschedule Taste at The Bay, which involves 20 restaurants of the Sarasota Manatee Originals.
The Nest, a concessions facility, also reopened Oct. 12.
Nonetheless, the park did see damage to its Phase 2 area.
Alongside the Van Wezel, a bayside walkway and its overlooks were damaged.
"You can't stand on them," Shaheen said. "The concrete got thrown up. Big trees and planters got thrown; the benches moved 100 yards."
However, Phase 2 includes the Resilient Shoreline Project, designed to protect the property against similar weather events in the future.
As the weather cools down, the community will still be able to enjoy the rest of the month-long celebration.
"This will allow the community to come together during this time on Common Ground and experience a little bit of normalcy," Shaheen said.
