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Community Corner

Free Water Taxi to the Sarasota Bay Water Festival

The Sarasota Bay Water Festival set for Saturday, November 2 will feature a free water taxi all day between Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota and the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. The Squadron is located next to the Water Festival venue at Ken Thompson Park on City Island. Freedom Boat Club is providing the unique service for the second consecutive year.

The free water taxi service begins 10am at Marina Jack and the final departure from the Sarasota Sailing Squadron is 6:30pm. Small signs will be posted along the left side of Marina Jack Restaurant to guide visitors to the dock area. The scenic trip is about 20 minutes and the maximum wait is expected to be 30 minutes. Freedom Boat Club is providing three boats commanded by experienced Coast Guard certified captains.

Freedom Boat Club was one of the first community sponsors of the inaugural Sarasota Bay Water Festival in 2012. Hundreds of residents and visitors used the free water taxi service last year. The company leases a variety of high quality boats for recreational use locally and around the nation. Learn more at freedomboatclub.com.

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The purpose of the Water Festival is to celebrate the importance of Sarasota Bay to the region’s environment, economy and quality of life. Highlights include seven hours of free live music with Ben Hammond, Democracy, Come Back Alice, Hymn for Her, and Luke Andrews; dragon boat races; fine artists and photographers selling unique gift items; food trucks, a beer and wine garden; vintage and new boat displays; four panel discussions on bay-friendly living; the winning submissions to the I Love Sarasota Bay Photo Contest; dip netting and nature walks for kids; and tent exhibits promoting boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboard sports, scuba diving, and more.

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is the Presenting Sponsor and HDR, Inc. is the Host Sponsor for 2013. The Water Festival is being supported by 44 sponsors, 82 exhibitors and volunteers from throughout Sarasota and Manatee County. Triple 3 Marketing (T3M) is managing the event. T3M is also the marketing contractor for SBEP and other clients. 

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Raffle prizes include a 12-foot Perception Sport Kayak from Economy Tackle and Dolphin Paddlesports, a Hovie Scout Paddleboard from SUP Sarasota, an 18 X 20 inch matted Giclee print from the acclaimed photographer Clyde Butcher, Open Water Diving Class from Florida Underwater Sports, two-hour excursion on a Yamaha Jet Boat with Sarasota Wind and Water Adventures, a full day bike rental from Freedom 4 Electric Bikes, and a Disc Sports Package from Sun King Disc Sports. The winning raffle tickets will be drawn at 5pm on the music stage.

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