On Nov. 1, come to Ken Thompson Park for a fun celebration of the importance of Sarasota Bay to the region!

Saturday, November 1, 2014

@ Beautiful Ken Thompson Park

2013 Photo Slideshow

2012 Photo Slideshow

Join the fun celebration of the importance of Sarasota Bay to the region’s environment, economy and quality of life. Festival hours 10 to 4 with live music starting 11 am. NEW for 2014 is an evening party at Circus City Architectural Salvage featuring live music and the “aqua-garde” fashion show. The party will help raise donations for Sea to Shore Alliance and Save Our Seabirds. Also NEW for 2014 is a Pet Zone with pet-loving exhibitors and giveaways. Join us on Facebook!

2014 Highlights:

Have Fun – Live music with top area bands, food trucks & local restaurants, beer and wine garden, Art Zone featuring fine artists and photographers selling gift items, a Pet Zone with pet-loving exhibitors, great raffle prizes, Dragon Boat Races, and a display of the winning photos from the I Love Sarasota Bay Photo Contest. Help paint the Bay Art Mural and don’t forget the after party at Circus City Architectural Salvage featuring live music and the “aqua-garde” fashion show. Imagine some very unique fashions made of plastic.

Learn New Things – Four panel discussions focused on bay-friendly living, meet Florida’s acclaimed nature photographer Clyde Butcher (see photo), vintage and new boats, kids fishing clinic, dip netting and nature walks, plus exhibits and activities promoting boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving, wildlife protection, and more. Come early and spend the day. Pets welcome too, but don’t forget your six-foot leash.

Live Music:

Enjoy live music from 11 am until 4 pm. The award-winning guitarist Ben Hammond of Sarasota and Maine was our performing MC for the first two years. We’ll once again feature several talented bands and other exciting performers. The after party for adults will feature more live music from 7 pm to midnight along with the “aqua-garde” fashion show. Our unique venue is Circus City Architectural Salvage located at 1001 Central Avenue in downtown Sarasota.

Welcome Sponsors:

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is the Founding Sponsor, HDR, Inc. is the Community Sponsor and Sea to Shore Alliance is the Host Sponsor for 2014. The three organizations represent government, private industry and the nonprofit sector respectively. Visit the Sponsors page to learn more. Many of our sponsors are ongoing supporters. Sponsor inquiries welcome at randy@triple3marketing.com.

Welcome Exhibitors:

Connect with 80 plus exhibitors focused on water recreation and sports, boating and fishing, other outdoor activities, unique gifts for sale including nature and wildlife photography, other arts and crafts, local groups promoting conservation and the protection of wildlife, and diverse groups promoting bay-friendly living. We also welcome displays of unique, custom or new boats, but all boats must be registered in advance.

2013 Raffle Ticket Prizes:

Our 2013 prizes: (1) 12-foot Perception Pescador Sport Kayak from Economy Tackle / Dolphin Paddlesports; (2) Hovie Scout Paddleboard designed by Tim Kernan from SUP Sarasota; (3) A 18″ X 20″ matted Giclee print from Florida photographer Clyde Butcher; (4) PADI Open Water Diving Certification Class from Florida Underwater Sports; (5) Excursion on the Hot Tamale, a Yamaha Jet Boat with Captain, plus a Sun-N-Fun gift basket from Sarasota Wind and Water Adventures; (6) Full Day Bike Rental from Freedom 4 Electric Bikes; and (7) Disc Sports Package from Sun King Disc Sports.

Sustainability:

Our sustainability plan includes recycling and composting. Consider alternative transportation: Free water taxi, parking for your bike, kayak or canoe, or the LBK Trolley. Freedom Boat Club (photo) runs the water taxi between Marina Jack and the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Please carpool; vehicles with four or more passengers will receive one free raffle ticket.

Management & Marketing:

Triple 3 Marketing (T3M) manages and promotes the Water Festival with support from volunteers and other friends. T3M has produced many events including the E-Fest Green Living Music & Arts Festival. T3M is the marketing contractor for SBEP and other area business and nonprofit clients; inquiries welcome.

Festival Support Team:

• Bryan Moore, Triple 3 Marketing (Director / Site Manager)
• Randy Moore, Triple 3 Marketing (Sponsor, Marketing and Media Coordinator)
• Sherri Swanson, HDR, Inc. (After Party and “Aqua-Garde” Fashion Show Coordinator)
• Sandy Hedgepeth, Professional Photographer (Art Zone Coordinator)
• Sara Kane, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (Panel Discussion Coordinator)
• Jennifer Hummel, Vintage Paws Sanctuary (Pet Zone Coordinator)
• Sera Balderson, Inner Circle Spa (After Party and “Aqua-Garde” Fashion Show)
• Ben Hammond, Professional Musician (Live Music Master of Ceremonies)
• Greg Pemberton, Circus City Architectural Salvage (Host Business for the After Party)
• Many more professionals in Sarasota and Manatee County are involved to support their respective organizations, along with a fun crew of volunteers on site during the festival.

Founding Sponsor:  The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is one of the 28 National Estuary Programs in the U.S. The Program strives to improve water quality, increase habitat and enhance the natural resources of the area for use and enjoyment by the public. Major government partners include Sarasota County, Manatee County, City of Sarasota, City of Bradenton, Town of Longboat Key, Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the U.S. EPA.

Community Sponsor:  As an employee-owned firm with more than 8,000 professionals in 185 locations worldwide, HDR is “Living as a Company that Matters.” Our professionals inspire ideas, build vibrant communities and improve quality of life. HDR integrates sustainable business practices into our day-to-day operations and client deliverables by balancing engineered and natural solutions that address modern-day matters such as coastal resilience and restoration, fisheries and aquatic resources, water conservation and management, and the protection of the world’s finite natural resources.

Host Sponsor:  Sea to Shore Alliance works to protect and conserve our world’s fragile coastal ecosystems and the endangered species that call them home. Our project areas are broad but they all focus on one of three key species: manatees, sea turtles, and right whales. Sea to Shore Alliance combines the technical expertise of trained ecologists and biologists with the passion and enthusiasm of citizen volunteers to educate the public, protect endangered species, and conserve our coastal environments for both people and animals. Current projects are underway in Florida, Cuba, Belize, and West Africa.