Sarasota Pumpkin Festival

Siesta Key: A Vacation Destination Just as Amazing in the Fall

When you think Siesta Key, you likely think the finest white sand beaches in the South, clear blue waters and fun summer activities: swimming, sunbathing, biking, kayaking and the like. But visiting this vacation spot in the fall months also means that there are plenty of family friendly things to do, both on the barrier island of Siesta Key as well as across the bridge in Sarasota.

As in many places, Fall is the season that brings out festivals, and it’s no different in Sarasota. You’ll find the Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Festival, Sarasota Medieval Fair and the Sarasota Chalk Festival, to name a few; all of these occur on weekends in October or November.

One of the main activities in this city during the Fall is the very affordable and exciting Sarasota Pumpkin Festival, now entering its ninth spectacular year. This is a three-day family-friendly event, presented at the end of October, that is a must-do if you’re vacationing in Sarasota or Siesta Key during this time.

Let’s look at some of the activities offered at this festival and see why this event has been voted the “#1 Pumpkin Festival in Florida” and referred to as the “#1 Best Family Event in the Area”.

What to Do at the Sarasota Pumpkin Festival

So you’ve purchased your $10 adult tickets and $5 kids tickets(kids under 4 FREE; local stores offer free kids’ tickets) and parked the car (for free!–plenty of parking always available). Now what?

You might start with the carnival rides, like the Ferris wheel, or maybe the inflatable area where the kids can slide down inflatable slides or goof around in the Bounce House. The kids will also love the petting zoo, getting their faces painted or taking a pony ride.

For adventurous souls, there’s a zip-line attraction. And if you’re not easily frightened, there’s a haunted attraction to celebrate Halloween.
There’s arcade games, too…win fun prizes or just have a blast trying!

Take a walk around and enjoy the local craft vendors and the wide array of food choices, from Italian sausage sandwiches and grilled food to delicious fried dough! For adults, you’ll love what’s “growing” at the beer garden!

Lots of FREE things to do are included in your ticket price. Based on past festival activities, these can include:

• Live music shows from local bands
• Trapeze show
• Trick or treating at vendor booths
• Costume contest
• Comedy kid show
• Photo booth
• Daredevil shows
• 30-minute circus
• Juggling artist and other street performers

Past entertainment has included Super Hero shows, Ninja Turtle shows, bird shows and other thrill shows.

This Sarasota Event is All About … well… Pumpkins

Well, you’ve come to a pumpkin festival, so what do you expect?

It goes without saying: every year you get lots of PUMPKIN-related activities at the Sarasota Pumpkin Festival! Pumpkin pie-eating contest, pumpkin maze, a pumpkin patch…not to mention free hay rides (what would a fall festival be without the requisite hay ride?).

There’s also photo opportunities: sit on a bale of hay and surround yourself and the family with pumpkins and create a keepsake showing how much fun you had during your time spent at this #1 attraction.

The festival is open from 12 pm – 10 pm all three days–enough time to find a couple of hours during your Siesta Key stay this fall to head on over and enjoy the sights and sounds of the best festival in the area.

So, park, follow the crowd to the big, colorful tents and experience all of the things to do as we celebrate the season together.

Whether you’re looking for Siesta Key hotels, Siesta Key pet-friendly rentals, or beachfront hotels on Siesta Key, Tropical Breeze Resort has everything you’re looking for!