The big theme this week in Sarasota area events will be Oktoberfest, with multiple places celebrating the holiday.
Those will include brewery Big Top Brewing Company, downtown Sarasota park the Bay, and Nathan Benderson Park, with that last location also hosting rowing and dragon boating as part of a newly expanded two-day event.
There will also be boat races, albeit of a different kind, at Englewood Beach Waterfest, and a chili competition for a good cause at Morton's Firehouse Chili Cookoff.
Looking for even more options? The Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Festival that kicked off last
weekend returns 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and all Saturdays-Sundays through October. Admission is $5, free kids ages 6 and under.
For more fall festival fun, kicking off this weekend in Manatee County will be Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, and Dakin Dairy Farms Harvest Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission is $15, $5 ages 5-9, free under age 5 (cash only) for Hunsader Farms, and $20, free ages 5 and under for Dakin Dairy.
The Bay will also host a free outdoor screening of the 1975 cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," whose star Tim Curry died earlier this year, at 9 p.m. Friday. The Sarasota Players will act as "the shadow cast," with attendees encouraged to come in costume and bring park-friendly props, with the park providing a limited supply of props too.
1. Bigtoberfest at Big Top Brewing Company
Sarasota brewery Big Top Brewing Company will throw its third annual Oktoberfest festivities at its Fruitville Commons location.
Contests will include stein hoists; best dressed, beard, and beer belly; and potato sack and wiener dog races. There will also be vendors, kids activities, an event menu featuring dishes such as beer bratwurst and Wiener or Jägerschnitzel with Bavarian apple sausage hash, and of course cold beer, including a special release of the Bigtoberfest Märzen.
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday; Big Top Brewing Company, 3045 Fruitville Commons Blvd., Sarasota; free admission; 941-225-8438; bigtopbrewing.com
2. Morton's Firehouse Chili Cookoff at Morton's Gourmet Market
Take part in one of Homer Simpson's favorite pastimes, the chili cookoff, while supporting a good cause at this 26th annual event in front of Morton's Gourmet Market in Sarasota's Southside Village.
More than a dozen local firehouses will compete for the title of best chili at this cookoff with celebrity judges, live music, raffle prizes, cold beer, fun for the kids and more, benefiting the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund.
1:45-5 p.m. Oct. 11; Morton's Gourmet Market, 1924 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota; free admission, $15 to sample all chili; 941-955-9856; facebook.com
3. Park-toberfest at the Bay
Downtown Sarasota park the Bay will celebrate both Oktoberfest and its own fourth anniversary with this free event, one of many taking place during its month-long "One Park FOUR All" festivities.
The DeLeon Family Band will perform oom-pah and other music, with attendees encouraged to take part in the Chicken Dance, stein-hoisting contest or a game of cornhole. The park's own Nest Cafe will offer brats and brews, while The Pretzel King will serve its namesake snack.
5-7 p.m. Sunday; The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota; free admission; 941-203-5316; thebaysarasota.org
4. Oktoberfest — Two Days of Paddles, Oars & Pours at Nathan Benderson Park
Nathan Benderson Park will combine its own Oktoberfest celebration with its Benderson Chase regatta in this second annual event expanding to a two-day festival this year.
There will be rowing and dragon boating on the water, as well as German food, live German bands, beer garden, DJ, kids zone, stein-hoisting and cold brews on land.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota; free admission, $20 parking per car; 941-358-7275; nathanbendersonpark.org/event/oktoberfest
5. Englewood Beach Waterfest
"Southwest Florida's premier celebration of everything water" will kick off with a free Waterfest Block Party on Friday featuring race boats on display along Dearborn Street, the chance to meet race teams and snag an autograph, live music from Crossfire Creek Band, and food, drink and retail vendors.
The Powerboat races will take place Saturday and Sunday, with tickets good for both days and including access to a cantina and food court with items for purchase, as well as a Family Conservation Center offering kids activities and exhibits from Mote Marine Laboratory and other organizations.
6-10 p.m. Friday; Dearborn Street and Pioneer Plaza; free admission (Waterfest Block Party); 9 a.m. gates open Saturday and Sunday; Englewood Beach; $35 online, $40 day of, free ages 17 and under with paying adult, but child's ticket still required (Waterfest); englewoodbeachwaterfest.com
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top Sarasota weekend events include Oktoberfest, chili, boat races
