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Four Years and 1.2 Million+ Visits Later, The Bay Celebrates “One Park FOUR All” With 70+ FREE Events
Month-long 4th Anniversary Community Celebration reflects the many ways people throughout the community have made The Bay their own – and the possibilities still ahead.
Four years and more than 1.2 million visits after The Bay opened along Sarasota Bay, people throughout the community have made the park their own — turning the promise of One Park for All into part of everyday life. The park will mark four years with 70+ FREE events during the month-long One Park FOUR All 4th Anniversary Community Celebration, October 1–November 1.
When The Bay opened in October 2022, it did so with a promise: One Park for All — open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of the community, now and for generations to come.
Four years later, people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds are making that promise a reality in countless ways. Some helped imagine the park, champion it, fund it, design it, build it, care for it or bring experiences to it. Others come to walk, exercise, bring the family, meet a friend, watch the sunset, discover something new or simply enjoy being in this blue-and-green oasis.
Along the way, The Bay has become more than a park. It has become part of everyday life — a place beyond home and work where people come because they want to, not because they have to.
“The best measure of The Bay is how people use it,” says AG Lafley, Founding CEO of The Bay Park Conservancy. “More than 1.2 million visits in four years show that people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds have made the park part of their lives — in different ways and for different reasons. This anniversary celebrates how far One Park for All has come — and the possibilities still ahead as more of the 53-acre vision is realized.”
Six Signature Events Anchor the Month-Long Celebration
Salsa & Sunsets Community Celebration
Wednesday, Oct. 7 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Celebrate the 4th Anniversary with a toast, live music and a Latino-inspired dance party.
Friday, Oct. 9 | 9:00 –11:00 p.m.
The annual cult-classic tradition returns under the stars.
Sunday, Oct. 11 | 5:00 –7:00 p.m.
An Oktoberfest celebration — The Bay style — with live music, a Steinhoisting contest, chicken dancing and German-inspired fare.
Boo! at The Bay Family Halloween
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 5:00–7:45 p.m.
A not-so-scary evening of costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, a family movie and Halloween fun.
Taste of The Bay Food Festival
Sunday, Oct. 25 | 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Presented by Sarasota-Manatee Originals and featuring signature dishes from locally owned restaurants.
Sunday, Nov. 1 | 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.
An all-day music festival filled with some of the best talent from throughout the region and other special surprises.
Beyond the six Signature Events, the month-long celebration includes dozens of additional FREE experiences — from live music, movies, dance and Opera at The Bay; to fitness, family activities, guided kayak tours and more.
The One Park FOUR All | 4th Anniversary Community Celebration of The Bay is made possible by generous Friends of The Bay: Bank of America, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Teri Hansen, Haskell, Ian Black Real Estate, Jon F. Swift Construction, Kimley-Horn, Michael & Terri Klauber, Cathy Layton & Pete Russell, Leading To Win, Michael Saunders & Company, Observer Media Group, Palm Printing, REI Cooperative Action Fund, Royal Tee’s, Sarasota Private Trust Company, Shumaker, Sweet Sparkman, Jim & Susan Travers, and Williams Parker.
View the full schedule of 4th Anniversary events
For the complete schedule of upcoming FREE events at The Bay, visit TheBaySarasota.org/Calendar
