Boo! at The Bay | Family Halloween Celebration

Saturday, October 18

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND LEARN MORE

Join in the fun of this Fourth Annual Halloween Family- and Fan-Favorite event at The Bay which includes a not-so-scary evening filled with trick-or-treating, free pumpkin pickings, yard games, a not-really haunted decorated trail, a movie showing of A Minecraft Movie, and more!

Costumes are encouraged (not required) for this not-so-spooky special event.

Pumpkins are available on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 1,800 kids.

Candy will be available throughout the park, including along the not-really haunted trick-or-treat decorated trail thanks to Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Kimley Horn, Sweet Sparkman, Visit Sarasota County, and Wilhelm Brothers.

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Teaching Artists will inspire you to decorate your FREE pumpkin in ways you never imagined.

Don’t forget to take a family Halloween picture at one of the many photo-ops including the “must-do” station created by an Art Center Sarasota talented artist.

Delicious tastes served by Big Blue Grilled Cheese Company, Churrua, The Dawg Pound, Rita’s Italian Ice, and Wingz N Thingz. Boo-licious Lemonade and other beverages, as well as delicious popcorn will be available at The Nest Café.

Schedule of Events:

• 5:00-8:30pm: Food Trucks serve delicious food

• 6:00pm-7:30pm: Trick-or-Treat, Pumpkin Decorating, Games and more!

• 7:00pm-8:45pm: Family Movie Night Showing of A Minecraft Movie

About A Minecraft Movie (PG)

Enjoy a spine-tingling adventure as the A Minecraft Movie brings blocky thrills and Halloween chills to the big screen!

Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home they’ll have to master this world while embarking on a quest with an unexpected expert crafter.

NOTE: In the event of inclement weather, this event will be POSTPONED to Friday, October 24. Notices will be communicated via The Bay website calendar, Eventbrite, Facebook and Instagram up to one hour before start time as unpredictable Florida weather changes quickly.

Join us for the 9th Annual Big Mama’s Collard Green Festival (BMCGF) — Sarasota’s premier cultural food festival celebrating community, heritage, and healthy Southern cuisine. This family-friendly event brings together vibrant traditions from Cajun, Creole, Southern, and Caribbean cultures, offering a full day of food, music, and fun for all ages.

Celebrating Culture Through Food

At the heart of the festival are the iconic “Big Mamas”—local community members showcasing treasured collard green recipes passed down through generations, some over 100 years old. In addition to home cooks, renowned chefs from Sarasota, Manatee, and the greater Tampa Bay area will prepare their own creative takes on collard greens and other soulful dishes.

Collard Green Cook-Off Competition

One of the most anticipated events of the day is the Collard Green Cook-Off. Local chefs and community members compete for the coveted title of “Big Mama,” with winners selected by a panel of judges through a blind taste test. Prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place. This friendly competition not only honors culinary talent but also highlights the deep-rooted food traditions of our region.

Live Entertainment and Local Flavor

The festival will feature live performances by local musicians and entertainers, creating a dynamic and engaging atmosphere throughout the day. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste and purchase soul food from a variety of local vendors and food trucks, each offering signature dishes made with love and Southern flair.

As Mr. Lou’ Murray, founder of BMCGF, shared during the first festival in 2017, “We have incredible local produce from the farmers market, and this festival ties that harvest into a community known for its Southern cooking heritage.”

Family-Friendly and Alcohol-Free

Big Mama’s Collard Green Festival is a no-alcohol, family-focused event designed to bring the community together in a safe, welcoming space. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or picnic blankets for a comfortable day outdoors at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex in North Sarasota.

Why You Should Attend

• Taste award-winning collard greens and soul food

• Support local chefs, restaurants, and food vendors

• Enjoy live music and community performances

• Celebrate Black culinary heritage and Southern food traditions

• Spend quality time with family in a positive, welcoming environment

Plan Your Visit

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234
Admission: Free
Parking: Available on-site

Don’t miss this unique Sarasota event that brings the community together to honor food, culture, and connection. Mark your calendar for Big Mama’s Collard Green Festival 2025—a celebration you won’t want to miss!

Vocabulary is the secret to academic success!

Soar in 4 Events: teach families how to use the FREE materials and books that are distributed to support classroom learning at home through exploration and play.

Spotlight Book: Dreaming up by Christy Hale

Free Event

Click Here To Learn More

October 1

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

210 10th Street West, Bradenton, FL, USA

Centerstone Life;Story 5K/10K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Nathan Benderson Park - Sarasota, FL

There is more to your Life; there is more to your Story.

Help spread the message that every life is valued and suicide is preventable by joining us for Centerstone's 23rd Annual Life;Story 5K/10K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention at the beautiful Nathan Benderson Park!

Your participation in this family-friendly event will help provide critical care services at Centerstone for people with little or no resources.

Registering for the Kids Dash? Registering a YOUTH? Registering as a VIRTUAL participant? Be sure to check out the event details.

You’re invited to Healthy Families Day 2025 — a free, family-friendly event full of fun, helpful resources, and activities for all ages! No registration needed — just show up and enjoy!

What to Expect:

• Free community resources

• Family workshops and activities

• Giveaways and prizes

• Health tips, snacks, and more!

Bring the whole family and join us for a fun day focused on health, learning, and connection in out community.

Event Details:

Date: September 13, 2025

Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: Desoto Boys and Girls Club (5236 30th St W, Bradenton, FL 34207)

To Learn More

Strong Florida Moms WIC Breastfeeding Shower

Presented by: Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County

Bring the family and join us for our annual Breastfeeding Shower. The event includes prizes, snacks, health care information, and community resources.

Click Here To Learn More

Class Type: Breastfeeding, Family Fun, Pregnancy

When: September 12, 2025

Where: 25 N Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia, FL, 34266

Available in Creole, English, Spanish

No Registration Required

Vocabulary is the secret to academic success!

Soar in 4 Events: teach families how to use the FREE materials and books that are distributed to support classroom learning at home through exploration and play.

Spotlight Book: Same Same but Different by Kostecki Shaw

Free Event

Click Here To Learn More

September 10

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

210 10th Street West, Bradenton, FL, USA

Join us for a free, family-friendly Back to School Bash at The Ringling Museum!

• Free backpacks and school supplies (while supplies last)

• Free books, juice, COVID-19 tests and health screenings

• Fun children’s activities, a collaborative art project, live DJ, food, and more

¡Acompáñanos en un evento gratuito y familiar para prepararte para el regreso a clases!

• Mochilas y útiles escolares gratis (hasta agotar existencias)

• Libros, jugo, pruebas de COVID-19 y exámenes de salud gratuitos

• Actividades infantiles, proyecto de arte, DJ en vivo, comida ¡y mucho más!

Class is almost in session, and Florida Blue is here to help you be prepared! Join us for a fun, family-friendly event featuring FREE school supply giveaways*, engaging activities for the kids, and valuable resources to help students start the school year strong.

You'll also have the chance to learn more about Florida Blue member benefits and how we’re supporting healthy, successful school years in our communities. We can’t wait to see you there!

*While supplies last. Parent/guardian must be present with child(ren) to receive a backpack by visiting a participating Center on 8/2/25. Limit 3 backpacks per household.

Day4Hope is a vital ongoing mission at Church of the Palms, dedicated to supporting children and families in our own community. This year, we are once again preparing to serve 250 children by providing backpacks filled with school supplies, personal care items, and more.

In partnership with other local churches and organizations, 14 Day of Hope events will take place over four weekends—July 12, 19, 26, and August 2—across Sarasota and Manatee Counties. These events, typically held from 9 AM to 3 PM, are designed to help homeless and near-homeless children, ages 5–18, get ready for the new school year. Parents are required to attend with their children, and all siblings are welcome to participate.

Annual Health Fair at The Ringling

Mark your calendars! The 3rd Annual Art & Health Fair is coming to The Ringling Museum on Saturday, May 24 from 10 AM – 2 PM — and it's FREE for everyone!

Enjoy free museum admission, health screenings, family fun, live music, food trucks, and more — all in one place.

🩺 Health Services:
- Dental, vision, blood pressure & blood sugar screenings
- 3D mammograms & nutrition info
- COVID-19 vaccines & boosters
- Entertainment & Activities:
- Live DJ & The Fusion Band
- Free books & healthy food distribution
- Zumba, kids’ zone, door prizes & Payasita the Clown!

Don’t miss this powerful blend of art, wellness, and community connection.
📍 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota

Please join us for a FREE, fun filled family evening. We will be hosting an event at Bright Beginnings Academy in Palmetto. There will be hotdogs, chips, fruit, and drinks! We will have several different activities mainly for children 0-7 years old. You can expect to paint or paper mâché your own pot, receive seeds to plant, a playdough activity, free books, bubbles, and a scavenger hunt!

We know that providing a supportive and nurturing environment to a child has a significant effect on their resilience, growth, health, and ability to overcome adversities. Just like plants, babies respond to even the smallest amounts of attention, love, and care. Our goal is to spread awareness about how critical the first few years of a child’s life are and offer the necessary tools to ensure all children are capable of thriving.

By providing families with supplies and seeds such as herbs or flowers, we aim to increase knowledge on brain development through the activities of planting a seed, nurturing it to help it grow, and experiencing how it blooms and flourishes.

Engage your senses and curiosity at The Bay through hands-on, family-friendly FREE experiences that showcase the wonder of nature, art, and science. For kids of all ages.

First 1,000 Days activity will explore fruits and vegetables through fun and interactive tasks that develop kids’ motor skills and vocabulary!

I Spy DeSoto Bus - Hop on the free DeSoto Magic School Bus for a fun, educational experience as you travel between Suncoast Remake Learning Days activities. On the bus, play “I Spy DeSoto” to learn about local history and landmarks, sing songs, and get an “I Spy” game to take home. You may hop off or on at any event, or keep riding the bus with guides from DeSoto County Historical Society and Links To Success. All children must be accompanied by an adult both on and off the bus.

Fun Family Gathering at Casa San Juan Bosco - Join us for a Fun Family Gathering at Casa San Juan Bosco! We'll have a variety of activities to keep everyone entertained, including plain crafts and coloring for the creative minds, delicious food, and exciting games for all ages. Plus, enjoy a thrilling helicopter show that will captivate the entire family. It's the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones and create lasting memories. Don't miss out on this wonderful event!

I Spy DeSoto Bus - Hop on the free DeSoto Magic School Bus for a fun, educational experience as you travel between Suncoast Remake Learning Days activities. On the bus, play “I Spy DeSoto” to learn about local history and landmarks, sing songs, and get an “I Spy” game to take home. You may hop off or on at any event, or keep riding the bus with guides from DeSoto County Historical Society and Links To Success. All children must be accompanied by an adult both on and off the bus.

One of the most adorable and heart-warming events you’ll ever see, this Parade puts the kids in charge.  It’s pure and wholesome fun as floats engineered and built in schoolrooms and at home parade along the historic avenues of Palmetto, from the Manatee County Fairgrounds, south on 10th Avenue West and then along Fifth Street West to Lamb Park.

Food, fun and many activities for children, including games after the parade ends at the “Party in the Park” in Sutton and Lamb Parks. A day full of excitement and big smiles not to be missed!

Morning Session | 10-11:30am

Beginner/New User Training

Participate in this session if you are interested in joining Unite Us or recently joined. Learn

about the value of Unite Us for your organization, how to search your local network for

services, fill out client data, refer for services, and follow-up on outcomes.

Networking Lunch | 11:30-12:30pm

An opportunity for new/potential new users to connect and learn from current platform users.

Lunch will be provided by the Barancik Foundation.

Afternoon Session | 12:30 – 2:30pm

Current User Training

Join us at this session if you are a current user of Unite Us and want to learn its most recent

updates, tips and tricks to make your referral process more seamless, and/or discuss any

challenges or barriers you are finding in the community.

RSVP required by 3/19/25

Our much anticipated celebration is just around the corner! If you have already registered for this event, THANK YOU and we encourage you to share an invite with a friend or colleague. If you have not registered yet, please do so below. Spots are limited!

Celebrate with us as we honor seven years of First 1,000 Days Suncoast on Tuesday, February 11th, 2025, from

8:30 to 11:30 am in the Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) Auditorium.

Schedule of Events:

• 8:30 - 9:00 am - Breakfast

• 9:00 - 10:30 am - Celebration

  • THE JOURNEY OF FIRST 1,000 DAYS SUNCOAST: Kelly Romanoff, VP of Evaluation and Strategy at the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, reflects on the initiative's history and impact.

  • INSPIRING KEYNOTE: Lauren Nunally, discusses the state of maternal health nationwide, highlights best practices for addressing inequities, and shares actionable steps for our community.

  • STORIES THAT MATTER: Hear mothers share how the First 1,000 Days partner network has supported and empowered them.

  • VISION FORWARD: Dr. Chelsea Arnold, Initiative Manager, provides strategic plan highlights and First 1,000 Days' roadmap for the future.

• 10:30 - 11:30am - Networking & Collaborative Learning Session

We want to take this opportunity to thank YOU, our partners, for your continued commitment to First 1,000 Days. We also welcome the opportunity for any newcomers who want to learn ways they can help families and babies in our community.

Soar in 4 is a free event open to Manatee County students and their families held at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. Each month a new ‘spotlight book’ will be featured, which each family will receive to take home. Families participate in activities facilitated by Manatee County teachers, non-profit organizations, and volunteers to learn how to use various materials to support the ‘spotlight book,’ as well as incorporate take-home items to continue to play, create, learn, and explore at home together. These monthly events provide families with the resources and information to become their child’s best ‘first teacher’ at home. All activities are aligned to classroom learning.

Soar in 4 is a free event open to Manatee County students and their families held at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. Each month a new ‘spotlight book’ will be featured, which each family will receive to take home. Families participate in activities facilitated by Manatee County teachers, non-profit organizations, and volunteers to learn how to use various materials to support the ‘spotlight book,’ as well as incorporate take-home items to continue to play, create, learn, and explore at home together. These monthly events provide families with the resources and information to become their child’s best ‘first teacher’ at home. All activities are aligned to classroom learning.

Geared for families with children under the age of 5 years.

Please RSVP with the number of people that plan on attending. Come play, explore and celebrate with us. There will be interactive play opportunities, food trucks and an opportunity to learn more about our mission. Note: Food trucks will be self-pay. 

More information coming soon!

Please join the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County in celebrating Healthy Families Day on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 10am-2pm! The WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) lobby and parking lot area will be open to all families in the community for a day filled with fun activities, valuable resources, and community connections. We will be offering free breastfeeding resource kits to all attendees in honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, the Early Learning Coalition will be offering free children’s books, and more!

Stop by to connect with other families, access helpful resources, and enjoy a day dedicated to health and wellness. Whether you're a new parent, a seasoned caregiver, or simply interested in learning more, there's something for everyone. Mark your calendar, spread the word within your network, share on social media, and bring your friends and family. We can't wait to see you there!

There is more to your Life; there is more to your Story.

Help spread the message that every life is valued and suicide is preventable by joining us for Centerstone’s 22nd Annual Life;Story 5K/10K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention at beautiful Nathan Benderson Park!

Your participation in this family friendly event will help provide critical care services at Centerstone for people with little or no resources.

FREE Family Night! In addition to touring the museum and learning new vocabulary, early learners will receive many literacy materials and books that support classroom learning. Prevent summer slide with the help of Soar in 4 activities you can recreate at home. Play while you learn together!