September brings some major events to Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties as the area moves closer to the start of season.
Labor Day weekend will feature a 78th annual regatta (and a newer regatta honoring Florida cultural figure Jimmy Buffett) in Sarasota, and cardboard boat races and a parade in Englewood.
A Sarasota benefit concert commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11, while a Charlotte County pub will throw a day-long party marking the halfway mark to St. Patrick's Day, and a Bradenton German restaurant will celebrate Oktoberfest for a whole month.
Other annual events will include a Key lime/tropical festival, a food and wine festival held in a historic, century-old building and a party on the beach, while two famous comedians come to town
for shows.
Here are the biggest events taking place in September in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, listed in chronological order. Event details are subject to change.
Englewood Pioneer Days
Some of the biggest festivities in this 70th annual event include Sept. 5 cardboard boat races at Indian Mound Park with music and food and drink for purchase, and a Sept. 7 parade with a '70s Disco theme, with post-parade activities at Pioneer Park including pie and watermelon-eating contests, live music and vendors. Aug. 22-Sept. 7; various venues; englewoodchamber.com/pioneer
Labor Day and Parrot Head regattas
Sarasota Sailing Squadron hosts its 78th annual regatta, which it proclaims the "oldest and largest regional sailing event in the Southeast," over the Labor Day weekend, along with a second annual Parrot Head Poker Run Regatta paying tribute to Jimmy Buffett with post-sailing live music, burgers on the grill, and margaritas and Painkillers for purchase. Sept. 5-6 (Labor Day Regatta), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 7 (Parrot Head Regatta); Sarasota Sailing Squadron, 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota; $25 Parrot Head Regatta; 941-388-2355; sarasotasailingsquadron.org
'Summon the Heroes'
Sarasota Orchestra and Van Wezel will present this benefit concert commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11, led by conductor Evan Roider, with music such as "Fanfare for the Common Man," "Adagio for Strings," "Summon the Heroes," "Liberty for All" (with narration by Nate Jacobs of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe) and “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful” (with soprano Amy Owens). Proceeds will benefit Resilient Retreat, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Charitable Foundation, Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund and Sarasota Police Foundation. 7 p.m. Sept. 10; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $40-$50; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
Ron White
Also taking place at Van Wezel in September will be a show by stand-up comedian Ron White, who first became famous to many as a member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour alongside Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Engvall. Yet he's had a very successful separate stand-up career as well, including a gold-selling comedy album "Drunk in Public," the Best Comedy Album Grammy-nominated "You Can't Fix Stupid" and "A Little Unprofessional," and the Netflix special "If You Quit Listening, I'll Shut Up." 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $68-$246; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
Kevin Nealon
Another famous stand-up comedian visiting Sarasota in September will be Kevin Nealon, a former "Saturday Night Live" cast member (earning an Emmy nomination during his time on the show) who has since appeared in several films by his former "SNL" co-star Adam Sandler (including last year's "Happy Gilmore 2") and shows including "Weeds." 7 p.m. Sept. 17 and 6:30 and 8:50 p.m. Sept. 18 and 19; McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $47; 941-925-3869; mccurdyscomedy.com
Halfway to St. Patrick's Day at Celtic Ray
Punta Gorda Irish pub Celtic Ray will celebrate the halfway mark to St. Patrick's Day next year with all-day music including Sarasota rock band Kettle of Fish (8 p.m.), Fresh Air (4-7 p.m.) and former member of The Commitments and owner of Sarasota's since-closed Irish Rover, Paul Duffy (noon-3 p.m.) Noon-11 p.m. Sept. 19; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net
Key Lime and Tropical Fest
Taking place in Punta Gorda the same day, waterfront destination Fishermen's Village will host this annual event featuring live music by The Kollections, Pirates of the Floridian, Chillakaya and Dave Lapio, restaurants and merchants featuring tropical food and drink, and vendors showcasing their creations. Noon-9 pm. Sept. 19; Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda; free admission/parking; 941-639-8721; fishermensvillage.com
Oktoberfest at Edelweiss
The German restaurant in Bradenton will once again celebrate the holiday with a whole month of fun. While this year's specific offerings have not yet been announced, last year they included best-dressed contests every Saturday, drink specials, live music, Oktoberfest food specials, daily giveaways and more. Sept. 25-Oct. 25; Edelweiss, 611 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton; 941-748-3838; facebook.com/edelweiss941
Venice Beach Party
Enjoy live music, food trucks, beer, wine and specialty drinks on the beach, with a free trolley running from Centennial Park to Venice Beach. No coolers or pets are allowed. 1-6 p.m. Sept. 26; Venice Beach, 101 The Esplanade S., Venice; free admission/parking; 941-484-6722; visitvenicefl.org
Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival
The event held at Sarasota Opera House's century-old building will feature a variety of eateries with food samples and wine tastings, supporting the Sarasota Youth Opera. 1 p.m. (12:30 p.m. VIP entry) Sept. 27; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $75 advance, $85 at the door (general admission), $150 per person (VIP); 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 10 exciting Sarasota area events coming in September
