The Bay Park Conservancy Announces Free 5-Day First Anniversary Celebration

More than 30 FREE events – something for everyone to enjoy – including family fun activities, headlining musical acts by Journey former lead vocalist Steve Augeri and Sarasota’s own Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, food and cultural festivals, a one-year community celebration party, Boo! at The Bay Halloween and more!

The Bay Park Conservancy announces The Bay Turns One! – a five-day First Anniversary Community Celebration beginning Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

Over the past year, The Bay has become a beloved and sustainable gathering place for the community. More than 250,000 people have already visited The Bay to enjoy all that the park has to offer including more than 10 acres of revitalized greenspace, a tree-shaded Mangrove Bayou Walkway, a larger-than-life Ibis Playground, sprawling Common Ground lawns, restored and preserved mangroves and shorelines, the architecturally stunning Nest Concession, The Oval mini-amphitheater with stadium-sized LED screens, an ADA-accessible paddle launch, and spectacular sunset views.

A signature bayfront public park designed to be “one park for all,” the park’s First Anniversary community celebration will feature “the best of The Bay” and provide free, exciting, and diverse programming for the entire community to enjoy. The full schedule of events can be found online at www.TheBayTurnsOne.org.

Headliners of The Bay Turns One! five-day celebration includes free bayfront concerts by Journey former lead vocalist Steve Augeri (playing hits that made Journey one of America’s most accomplished Rock & Roll bands); and by Sarasota’s own Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe performing “Soul & Sass” (featuring a mix of R&B and Soul favorites).

Other Signature Events include a Latino-inspired dance party, a one-year community celebration party for one-year old babies and couples celebrating their one-year milestone together, Boo! at The Bay Halloween festivities; the second annual Multicultural Festival, and the second annual “Taste of The Bay” food festival in partnership with The Sarasota-Manatee Originals.

The entire celebration is intertwined with everyday free programming such as guided kayak tours in partnership with Ride & Paddle, fitness classes provided by CoreSRQ, yoga taught by local yogis, guided nature walks, and music featuring some of the area’s favorite artists.

“We are grateful for the hundreds of thousands of park guests who have already discovered The Bay and appreciate it as an outstanding gathering place that brings our community together and provides one park for all,” says Stephanie Crockatt, CEO of The Bay Park Conservancy. “This First Anniversary milestone is a special community celebration – completely open and accessible, free and welcoming to everyone. Please come join the fun as The Bay Turns One! celebration offers guests an array of experiences sure to delight and showcase what this signature park continues to mean to Sarasota.”

Everyone is encouraged to bring family, friends, co-workers, Meet-up and other groups to attend any of the free events offered in the park. 

For more information and to register for various The Bay Turns One! events, visit the website at www.TheBayTurnsOne.org. The community is also invited to subscribe to The Bay newsletter and follow The Bay on Facebook and Instagram.

The Bay Turns One! is sponsored by generous Friends of The Bay including: Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Jody Beresford and Bob Mayer, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, DreamLarge, Michael & Terri Klauber, AG Lafley, Cathy Layton & Pete Russell, Leading To Win, Michael Saunders & Company, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, and others.