Looking for fun events in February?

 https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/events/2022/01/31/fun-events-in-february-top-10-things-to-do-for-sarasota-bradenton-port-charlotte-florida/9283197

Wade Tatangeloand Jimmy Geurts  Sarasota Herald-Tribune January 31, 2022

Top 10 things to do in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte

From food and music fests to power boat races and a circus show, the biggest events taking place this month in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice and Port Charlotte.

To help plan ahead, here's our list of the top 10 things to do this month in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. You'll find everything from food and music festivals to power boat races and a circus show.

Please keep in mind that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, events are often canceled or postponed. We highly recommend checking the status online or by phone before attending any of our picks for weekend fun. For instance, a few events set to take place this month have already been put on hold, including Venice Pride Festival, which has been rescheduled for Nov. 12.

Charlotte County Fair, now-Feb. 6

The 33rd annual Charlotte County Fair brings another bunch of family-friendly activities and live entertainment, as well as tasty foods, to Port Charlotte. Info: thecharlottecountyfair.com

Giving Hunger the Blues, Feb. 6 

The 24th annual music festival benefitting Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program is set to take place at Nathan Benderson Park, with a lineup including Blues Music Award-winning musicians Selwyn Birchwood and Albert Castiglia. Info: jazzclubsarasota.org/giving-hunger-the-blues 

Circus Sarasota, Feb. 11-March 6 

Held under a big top in Nathan Benderson Park on the Regatta Island, this year’s show is set to feature an international cast of circus artists, including some who’ve appeared on “America’s Got Talent” such as Bello and Annaliese Nock. Info: circusarts.org 

Bradenton Area River Regatta, Feb. 12 

The largest single-day spectator event in Manatee County returns to the shorelines of Bradenton Riverwalk and Palmetto with powerboat races, concerts, fireworks and many other family-friendly activities included in this free event that debuted in 2015. Info: bradentonarearegatta.com

Thunder by the Bay, Feb. 18-20 

The 24th annual music and motorcycle festival returns to Sarasota Fairgrounds with live music including rockers FireHouse (“Love of a Lifetime,” “When I Look Into Your Eyes”), along with vendors, motorcycle competitions, food court, “Thunder Alley” and more. Info: thunderbythebay.org 

St. Barbara Greek Festival “Glendi,” Feb. 18-20

St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church hosts this celebration of Greek culture, now in its 38th year, that in past years has featured authentic foods, folk dancing, crafts and live music. Info: stbarbarafestival.org

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Feb. 19-20

Seafood, live music, libations and nautical art will again be the main attractions at this event celebrating its 40th year in the historic commercial fishing village of Cortez, nestled along north Sarasota Bay just east of Anna Maria Island. Info: cortez-fish.org 

Venice Italian Feast & Carnival, Feb. 24-27 

Pizza, calzones and cannoli are just a few of the tempting foods likely to appear on the menu at the 33rd annual event presented by the Italian American Club of Venice. Info: italianamericanclubofvenice.com

Osfest, Feb. 26 

Local reggae favorites Jah Movement throw this sixth annual block party honoring the late Oswald Caines, who used to play in Democracy Reggae Band, with live music, vendors and more on Main Street and Lemon Avenue in downtown Sarasota. Info: jahmovement.com/osfestreggaeblockparty 

Spring training, Feb. 26-March 29

Baseball fans will find the reigning world champion Atlanta Braves kicking off spring training at their CoolToday Park home in North Port against the Boston Red Sox on Feb. 26. Meanwhile, Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota is spring training home to the Baltimore Orioles, Bradenton’s LECOM Park is the Pittsburgh Pirates’ and Charlotte Sports Park is the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays, whose Kevin Cash is a Tampa native who was named the American League Manager of the Year in 2020 and 2021. 

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Poinsettia Parade & Festival

https://www.cityofnorthport.com/government/city-services/parks-recreation/special-events/poinsettia-events

Kick off your holiday with the annual Poinsettia Parade & Festival! This annual North Port tradition will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021  from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the City Center Campus (4970 City Hall Blvd). 

Prefer to watch from home? We've partnered with our friends at WKDW 97.5 FM to livestream the Poinsettia Parade. You can tune in to 97.5 FM for entertainment and event updates throughout the evening. If you will be attending in person and would like to opt in to receive safety messages about this event, text Parade2021 to 888-777.

About the Poinsettia Festival

Presented by Achieva Credit Union, the Festival will take place throughout the grounds of the City Center Campus, including on the Front Green and inside City Hall. This fun-filled holiday festival will feature a tree lighting ceremony, food vendors, entertainment, performances by local school choruses, attractions, vendors, and so much more.

About the Poinsettia Parade

Presented by Quality TV, the Poinsettia Parade will march south down Sumter Boulevard starting from Sylvania Avenue through the City Center Campus, ending at the Festival (a prime location to catch the parade). The theme this year is "Retro Rockin' Holidays". An esteemed judging panel will select the winners of the various parade awards, 

Route Description

Floats adorned with poinsettias, decorated vehicles, and walking groups will start at Sylvania Avenue and follow the one-mile route south on Sumter Boulevard. The route will turn east onto City Hall Boulevard, before making its way along the Front Green. Escorted by North Port Fire Rescue, jolly St. Nick will make a special appearance in the parade.

The parade will end at the annual Poinsettia Festival, presented by Achieva Credit Union. The Festival will include a tree lighting ceremony.

Entertainment Schedule 

4:00 p.m.- Poinsettia Festival Begins

4:15 p.m. - 60 West Band

5:00 p.m. - Poinsettia Parade Begins

5:15 p.m. - The Rock Box

6:20 p.m. - Imagine School of Young Marines Presentation of Colors accompanied by Linda Zick Performing the National Anthem

6:25 p.m. - North Port City Commissioners and Mayor Opening Remarks and Holiday Message

6:35 p.m. - Tree Lighting

6:40 p.m. - Announcement of Gingerbread House Winners

6:50 p.m. - Announcement of Parade Winners

7:00 p.m. - Universal Dance Academy

7:15 p.m. - North Port High School Theatre

7:45 p.m. - 60 West Band

8:30 p.m. - Poinsettia Festival Ends

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

The Atlanta Braves Win the NLDS over the Milwaukee Brewers

https://tomahawktake.com/

by Trent Dickeson,   Oct 13, 2021

The Atlanta Braves defeat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 and advance to the NLCS for the second straight season.

The Atlanta Braves elected to start Charlie Morton on short rest for game 4. Morton gave the Braves a solid 3.1 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 5.

Maybe Morton went an inning too long, but regardless, he gave the Braves a solid start in a pivotal game. Morton on short rest is better than most options, and there was always Max Fried on regular rest in game 5 if necessary.

Jesse Chavez came in for Morton after the starter yielded one run, though one of his inherited runners scored to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the 4th inning, the Braves tied up the game thanks to a pinch-hit two-run single from Eddie Rosario to score Austin Riley and Travis d’Arnaud.

The 5th inning was just as eventful, as Huascar Ynoa allowed a two-run home run to Rowdy Tellez to push the Brewers lead back to two. However, a Joc Pederson RBI fielder’s choice and d’Arnaud RBI single tied the game up again at four apiece.

The Braves bullpen slammed the door on the Brewers at this point. A.J. Minter, Luke Jackson, and Tyler Matzek combined for 3 perfect innings with 5 total strikeouts.  One could feel the momentum shift thanks to these efforts.

But the game was still tied.

The Face that Runs the Place Comes Through

The Brewers elected to go to their lockdown closer Josh Hader in the 8th inning in an effort to shut down the Braves offense.

On the season, Hader had a 1.23 ERA, 2.18 xERA, 1.69 FIP, 2.35 xFIP, and a 2.6 fWAR. He struck out 45.5% of the batters he faced during the year… including his first 2 hitters tonight.

What he hadn’t done this season was execute a multi-inning save.  In 60 regular season appearances, he had never even been called upon for even a 4-out save… much less 6 outs.

Nonetheless, Hader has a strong case to win NL Reliever of the Year and manager Craig Counsell had every reason to be confident in his guy to shut down the Braves offense.

There was only one problem: Freddie Freeman.

It only took one pitch.  Freeman gave the Braves a 5-4 lead with his 8th inning Home Run off of Hader… who still has not pitched a multi-inning save.

Freeman did what superstars do. He pulled through in the clutch when it was needed most, something he has done time and time again for the Braves.

Will Smith then entered in the 9th with a chance to save the game and send his club to the NLCS.

After a leadoff single from Eduardo Escobar, and a pop-out bunt attempt from Kolton Wong, Willy Adames and Christian Yelich both struck out to end the game.

The Atlanta Braves are back in the National League Championship Series and will face either the Dodgers or Giants.

In a season where the team did not get over .500 until game 109 on August 5th, they will now play for a shot to get to the World Series. What a year, what a team.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179