Sarasota Bay Water Festival Seeks Vintage Boats to Display at the Festival Nov. 17th

SARASOTA – The Sarasota Bay Water Festival (SBWF) on Saturday, November 17 at Ken Thompson Park on City Island will showcase vintage boats acknowledging the history of boating and fishing on Sarasota Bay. The free regional event celebrates the importance of Sarasota Bay to the region’s environment and economy.

The Florida Gulf Coast Traditional Small Craft Association will display three boats including the Sallie Adams, a 21-foot 1890’s design Cortez mullet boat, the Esperanza, a 15-foot Cuban refugee boat, and a 14-foot Cortez poling skiff used for fishing. The Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage (FISH) associated with the Cortez Fishing Village is also supporting the effort to display vintage boats celebrating the history of Sarasota Bay.

Please email Bryan Moore at bryan@triple3marketing.com if your club, group or family is interested in displaying a vintage boat at the Sarasota Bay Water Festival.

The theme of the water festival is Enjoy the Bay and the event is organized around three areas: Bay Recreation, Bay Creative Arts and Bay Science & Education. Highlights include a Creative Arts Tent showcasing some of the area’s top wildlife photographers selling art items, the winning submissions to the I Love Sarasota Bay Photo Contest with three age divisions, non-profit groups focused on conservation and wildlife protection, and displays promoting boating, fishing, paddle board sports, scuba diving, birding, and other fun activities.

The free event will also showcase live music, local food vendors, and a 4pm show by the award-winning Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team. Visitors can also gain free admission to the popular Mote Aquarium which is open from 10am to 5pm. The free access to the Mote Aquarium requires that visitors obtain a stamp at the festival.