Clyde Butcher, the acclaimed photographer of Florida’s remaining wild places, will share insights and answer questions at the third annual Sarasota Bay Water Festival Saturday, November 1 at Ken Thompson Park. Clyde will also sell and sign his latest book.
The Sarasota Bay Water Festival celebrates the importance of Sarasota Bay to the region’s environment, economy and quality of life. It’s the region’s largest event focused on the welfare of Sarasota Bay and its impressive recreational amenities. Sarasota Bay has a major impact on the region’s economy through tourism, local property values, recreational boating and fishing.
Festival highlights include live music, artists and photographers selling gift items, dragon boat races, a display of submissions from the I Love Sarasota Bay Photo Contest, panel discussions, food trucks and local restaurants, fun activities for kids, vintage and new boats, and hands on exhibits promoting recreational boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving, and more. A free boat taxi service provided by Freedom Boat Club will operate between Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota and the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.
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New for 2014 is an after party at Circus City Architectural Salvage featuring live music and the aqua-garde fashion show. Imagine playful fashions made entirely of plastic. The idea is to remind people that discarded plastic items harm birds and marine life. Proceeds from the party will benefit Save Our Seabirds and Sea to Shore Alliance.
Sea to Shore Alliance is the Host Sponsor of the 2014 Water Festival. The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is the Founding Sponsor and HDR, Inc. is the Community Sponsor. The three major sponsors represent the nonprofit sector, government and private industry respectively. SBEP is one of the 28 National Estuary Programs in the U.S. celebrating its silver anniversary this year. HDR supports clients in Florida and around the world with consulting expertise on coastal restoration, fisheries, water conservation, and the protection of natural resources. Sea to Shore Alliance supports coastal areas that provide vital habitat for manatees, sea turtles and right whales. The nonprofit has field projects underway in Florida, Cuba, Belize and West Africa.
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Other sponsors in random order include: Sarasota County, Freedom Boat Club, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Mote Marine Laboratory, Cannons Marina, Manatee County, Save Our Seabirds, City of Sarasota, WUSF Public Media, Sarasota Bay Watch, Nature’s Academy, Southwest Florida Water Management District, High Five Dragon Boat, Town of Longboat Key, Stantec, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, City of Bradenton, Around the Bend Nature Tours, Anheuser-Busch Wholesalers, UF/IFAS Extension, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Vintage Paws Sanctuary, Friends of Sarasota County Parks, SUP Sarasota, Friends of Disc Golf, Sun King Disc Sports, and Triple 3 Marketing.
Organizers are seeking additional sponsors. The festival offers a unique marketing opportunity for businesses and other groups that value Sarasota Bay. Randy Moore welcomes sponsor inquires at randy@triple3marketing.com. An exhibitor application is also on the website with early bird discounts for approved exhibitors.
