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Siesta Key Top Spot & Hyattโs Big Plans
Best Things To Do in SRQ: 2/27- 3/2
In todayโs edition of the Sarasota Scoop:
Thanks for reading,
Carson

๐ฐ Local News
๐๏ธ Siesta Beach Named Americaโs BestโAgain
๐ข Whatโs Happening?
No surprise for locals! TripAdvisor has ranked Siesta Beach as the #1 beach in the U.S. and #4 in the world for 2025, reaffirming what locals already knowโits powdery white sand and clear Gulf waters are hard to beat.
Why It Stands Out
Sand like no other โ 99% quartz, naturally cool underfoot.
Shallow waters โ Ideal for wading and family-friendly swimming.
Recent improvements โ Upgraded pavilion, better parking, and enhanced beach access.
๐ Resilient Despite Challenges: Hurricanes and occasional red tide outbreaks havenโt kept visitors away. Siestaโs enduring appeal continues to draw tourists and sustain local businesses.
Bigger Picture: With Sarasota Countyโs ongoing efforts to balance tourism and environmental preservation, Siestaโs top ranking underscores the need for sustainable beach management.
๐๏ธ Hyatt Redevelopment Update
Whatโs Happening? Kolter Group's ambitious plan to transform the old Hyatt Regency in Sarasota into a mixed-use complex is nearing a city nod. Key details are still being ironed out.
๐๏ธ Key Dates
Feb 19: Development Review Committee gave a thumbs-up on some aspects.
Mar 17: A crucial appeal hearing is scheduled. The outcome could influence project timelines.
๐๏ธ Project Details
New Look: Two 18-story towers boasting 224 condos and 166 hotel rooms.
Commercial Spice: Expect 8,830 sq ft of street-level commercial space.
๐ Controversy: One Park West, an adjacent property developer, isn't thrilled. They're appealing a decision that they believe infringes on their space.
Whatโs Next? A green light from the City Commission post-appeal could set the wrecking ball in motion for the Hyatt site.
๐ More Info: Read the full story here

๐ฆ Spotlight: Percocoโs ๐๐
Over in Lakewood Ranch, Percoco's Pizza & Pasta has quickly become a local favorite.
I stopped by Percocoโs Pizza & Pasta recently and was really impressed. The menu is straightforward, but itโs clear they put a lot of care into what they serve.
The pizza had a great crust, itโs lightly charred with the right balance of chew and crunch, and the sauce was smooth and well-seasoned.

I also really enjoyed the meatballs, which is high praise coming from someone originally from New jersey.

Everything tasted fresh and well-executed, without any shortcuts. Itโs the kind of place that does the classics really well, and Iโll definitely be back.

Thursday, February 27th
Florida Strawberry Festival
๐303 BerryFest Place, Plant City
๐ฆ All Weekend
๐ details

Live Music: Brown Bag Concert Series
๐Phillippi Estate Park
๐ฆ 1pm
๐ details
Circus Sarasota
๐Nathan Benderson Park
๐ฆ Multiple shows
๐ details

Comedy Show: Steve Hytner
๐ McCurdy's Comedy Theatre
๐ฆ Multiple Showings
๐ details
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
๐ St. Peteโs
๐ฆ Multiple Events
๐ details
Friday, February 28th
Quilts in Paradise
๐ Robarts Arena, Sarasota
๐ฆ 9am - 5pm
๐ details
Stroller Tours at Ringling
๐ Ringling Museum, Sarasota
๐ฆ 10:30am
๐ details
Messy Art for Babies
๐ Ringling Museum, Sarasota
๐ฆ 11:30am
๐ details
Movies Under the Stars - Wish
๐ The Green at UTC, Sarasota
๐ฆ 6pm
๐ details
Saturday, March 1st
Sarasota Farmers Market
๐Downtown Sarasota, Main St & Lemon Avenue
๐ฆ 7am - 1pm
๐ details
Shark Tooth's 10k
๐ Venice Airport Festival Grounds
๐ฆ 7:15am
๐ details
Venice Airport Day
๐Venice Airport Festival Grounds
๐ฆ 9am - 3pm
๐ details
3rd Annual "Spring Training Spectacular" Sports Card Show
๐Hotel Venezia Banquet Center
๐ฆ 9am - 4pm
๐ details
Palmetto's Heritage Festival
๐ Palmetto Historical Park
๐ฆ 10am - 1pm
๐ details
Sarasota Festival of the Arts
๐ J.D. Hamel Park, Sarasota
๐ฆ 10am - 5pm
๐ details
Family Art Making
๐ Ringling Museum, Sarasota
๐ฆ Multiple times
๐ details

Bay Fest
๐ The Bay Park, Sarasota
๐ฆ 11am - 2pm
๐ details
George Harrison: A Gardenerโs Life
๐ Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota
๐ฆ See details
๐ details
24th Annual Downtown Venice Art Classic
๐ 200-300 West Venice Ave, Venice
๐ฆ See details
๐ details
Sunday, March 2nd
Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market
๐ 5161 Lakefront Dr, Lakewood Ranch
๐ฆ 9am - 2pm
๐ details
Shark Fin 5k
๐ Venice Airport Festival Grounds
๐ฆ 7:15am
๐ details

Youth Activity Fair
๐ Phillippi Estate Park, Sarasota
๐ฆ 10:30am - 1:30pm
๐ details
2025 Oscars Viewing Party
๐ Burns Court Cinemas, Sarasota
๐ฆ 6pm
๐ details
PLAN AHEAD
Acoustic Sunsets
๐ Ringling Museum
๐ฆ March 11th
๐ details
Ringling by the Bay
๐ Ringling Museum
๐ฆ March 3rd - May 12th
๐ details

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