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Dst In Sarasota Herald-Tribune 7-30-20

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Top 5 Things To Do This Weekend in Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice: July 30-Aug. 5

Fun activities including free outdoor events in Sarasota and Manatee counties this weekend and next week.

by Wade Tatangelo, Entertainment Editor — Posted 7-30-20 at 7:17 AM

1. Sarasota Farmers Market reopens

The Sarasota Farmers Market, a local tradition that started in 1979, will reopen Saturday following its closing in March due to COVID-19. The hours remain the same as before: 7 a.m.-1 p.m., rain or shine, on Saturdays. The Sarasota Farmers Market noted it understands the severity of COVID-19 and is instituting guidelines for both vendors and customers. While face masks/coverings are mandatory in the city of Sarasota, the market has also issued a “customer code of conduct,” which we previously reported.

The Siesta Key Farmers Market, which takes place from 8 a.m.-noon on Sundays, reopened in mid-June. The Venice Farmers Market, open 8 a.m.- noon Saturdays, followed earlier this month. In Bradenton, the downtown farmers market closes for the summer each year with the 2020-21 market scheduled to return to Old Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 3. Meanwhile, though, folks in Manatee County looking to do some outdoor grocery shopping can visit Ortygia Food & Wine Market, outside Chef Gaetano Cannata’s Sicilian restaurant of the same name in the Village of the Arts. There’s fresh produce, Sicilian chocolate bars, homemade gelato, bakery items by Total Cakes, olive oil and fresh baked bread by Olive Branch, and more including wine by the bottle or by the case. Also, vendors are not charged a fee to set up and sell their wares.

The Sarasota Farmers Market at 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, will take place Saturdays from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. starting Aug. 1. For more information, call 941-225-9256 or visit sarasotafarmersmarket.org.

Ortygia Food & Wine Market, at 1418 13th St.W., Bradenton, will take place Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. starting next week. For more information, call 941-741-8646 or visit facebook.com/Ortygia.

2. Swing through the trees at TreeUmph!

A 14-acre nature park featuring five courses from beginner to “extreme,” with wobbly bridges, hanging nets, bungee swings and more; TreeUmph! Adventure Course in east Bradenton offers a fun day for great outdoors lovers of all ages. In addition to being outside, TreeUmph! has taken numerous special precautions due to COVID-19 including limiting daily reservation hours from 8-11:30 a.m., booking only 20 climbers per half-hour and having guests social distance throughout the park. Also, TreeUmph! notes: “We will be wearing mask and we have ‘required mask zones’ for guests at check in and during training. Once guests are on the courses they are no longer required to wear a mask.” 21805 State Road 70 E., Bradenton; 941-322-2130; treeumph.com

3. ‘Pay like a kid’ at Mote

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the research institution founded in 1955 that includes a 135,000-gallon shark habitat, resident manatees, sea turtles, river otters, and much more, continues its “Pay like a kid, play like a kid” aquarium discount through Friday, which means everyone pays the kids admission rate of $18 starting at 3 p.m. when you use the discount code “PLAY!” at checkout. Also, Mote has changed its regular hours to now open at 9:30 a.m., while still open until 5 p.m. 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota; 941-388-4441; mote.org

4. Beer Garden Yoga at Motorworks

Beer Garden Yoga is back at Motorworks Brewing, home to the region’s largest beer garden, which also happens to boast a whole lot of lovely shade. Attendees are invited spread out their yoga mats in the open air — then, once safely distanced, “stretch out your body, mind & soul … one delicious, cold beer at a time.” No sign-up required; you can just show up before the class begins and sign in/pay at the brewery. 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton; $10 and includes a complimentary “core four” pint; 941-567-6218; motorworksbrewing.com

5. Discover Sarasota Trolley Tours

Discover Sarasota Tours has introduced small private tour options for its most popular 90-minute, summer air-conditioned trolley tours. “During these difficult times, we have been getting requests for more private tours so people can be with only their friends or family members,” said Tammy Hauser, CEO of Discover Sarasota Tours, in a statement. “So we decided to launch two small group tour options to accommodate these needs.”

Friends & Family Tours for up to 12 people cost $899 plus sales tax. Guests can book any summer tour on any day and at any time with family or friends. This option is available on all summer tours, including City Sightseeing Tours, Circus Tours, Haunted Sarasota Tours, Tiki Trivia Trolley Tours, and Infamous Sarasota Happy Hour Tours running weekends through September. There are also Half-Day Private Concierge Tours for up to 10 people at $179 per adult, $79 per child 6-12. For more information, visit discoversarasotatours.com.

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