- April 4, 2025
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Central Park's Cristin Rieskamp tosses a beanbag in a game of cornhole at Ranch Nite Wednesdays.
University Park's Mara Putt dances with Callan Putt at Ranch Nite Wednesdays as Kaia Putt watches.
Sarasota 4-year-old Johnni Szabo gives 4-year-old Mia Szabo an opportunity to view Saturn at Ranch Nite Wednesdays.
Bradenton's Paul Rotunno holds 1-year-old Sophia Rotunno and talks with friend Josh Silvis during Ranch Nite Wednesdays.
Sarasota's Marissa Blardi has a permanent bracelet welded onto her wrist by Link x Luxe owner Sarah Seay.
Austin DeGroot and Aaron DeGroot of the Sinewaves Band provide live music.
Sarasota's Breanna DeGroot explains the concept of flowers to 1-year-old Ezra DeGroot.
Country Club's Linda Wokoun talks with her daughter-in-law, Megan Wokoun, visiting from Illinois at Ranch Nite Wednesdays.
Panther Ridge's Andrea Malcolm browses the jewelry of Beryl Oduour of Beryl Oduour Designs.
Ron Balsai plays drums for Sinewaves Band.
MVP Sports and Social Club members, Greenbrook's Eric Flack and Jillian Sacco from Nokomis, catch up with one another before a game of cornhole.
Lorraine Lakes' James Thompson, Riverside Preserve's Mike Burdick, and Lakewood National's Michael Baio said they belong to a group which always attends Ranch Nite Wednesdays together.
Ethan Elroe pours a drink for Del Tierra's Michelle Middleton.
Sarasota's Sophia Quickel and Katelyn Abel listen to the live music.
Punta Gorda's Lauren Hansen, who joined MVP Sports and Social Club as she plans to move to Sarasota, and Central Park's Josh Rieskamp, team up for cornhole.
Indigo's Alex King learns about astronomy from Alex Martin of Sidewalk Science Center.
Amanda Champ of Surfing Coconut describes the offerings to Maria and Dmitri Topal, who come from New Port Richey.
With the popular Ranch Nite Wednesdays back in business at Waterside Place, many area residents have filled in a spot on their social calendars.
“We’ve been waiting to be able to participate in some of these events, where we can get to know our new neighbors,” Central Park's Crystal Selby said.
Features included a mobile bar by Cornerstone & Co., live music by Sarasota’s Sinewave Band, and numerous food vendors.
The MVP Sports and Social Club's cornhole league is again a regular attraction at the weekly event.
Chris McComas of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities said he runs the largest cornhole league in the United States.
“It’s just been an incredible success seeing all the people of all skill levels, abilities, and walks of life, from every corner of the world even, play in this league,” he said.
“You're not going to find anything like this anywhere,” he also said. “It’s the greatest thing you can do on a Wednesday night to break up the week.”
Amanda Champ, owner of Surfing Coconut, said it was her first time participating in the market, although she had already been involved in the Farmer’s Market at Waterside.
“It’s new, it’s different,” she said. “It’s more of a community, all-ages type of midweek break from the workweek,” she said. “This is a fun evening market where people can unwind and relax, and forget they have to go to work tomorrow.”
“It’s nice to eat, drink, and support a local business,” said Sarasota’s Marissa Blardi, who was shopping for jewelry.
Country Club’s Karren Morgan said the event was an important gateway for newcomers to the community.
“It’s a great way to meet lots of people that you wouldn't have access to normally ... a lot of age groups,” she said.
