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Best Things to Do in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice This Weekend

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Best Things to Do in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice This Weekend

Five fun events in the Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice area that will definitely make you leave your couch.

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In addition to recent restaurant openings, closings, and sales, we’ve compiled a list of five fun events in Sarasota and Manatee counties that will definitely make you want to leave the couch.

We have outdoor and indoor activities to choose from, including a gritty screening of the 2016 American survival horror thriller that one critic wrote made ‘Jaws’ seem ‘like a children’s birthday party’ and called the film ‘terrifyingly good’.

Other options include a cornhole tournament, a party at GT Bray Park, Drag Queen Bingo and circus thrills. Read on for details on all five events.

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Ticket newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews every Friday, plus information on what to do

1. Summer Movie Nights at CoolToday Park in North Port

CoolToday Park’s popular Summer Movie Nights series, featuring movies shown on the scoreboard, stadium seating and concessions including alcohol, continues with “The Shallows.” The film stars Blake Lively as a medical student stranded 200 yards from shore who must survive an encounter with a great white shark. 5 p.m. Sunday; CoolToday Park, 18800 W. Villages Parkway, North Port; $7, $3 ages 4-9, free ages 3 and under; 941-413-5004; cooltodaypark.com/movies

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2. Brews & Bags at Big Top Brewers Collective in Lakewood Ranch

Big Top Brewers Collective in Lakewood Ranch will host its first annual “Brews & Bags” cornhole tournament Saturday afternoon. Entry fee is $10 per team of two, with registration beginning at noon. In addition to everyone’s favorite lawn game and award-winning craft beers, there will be live music from talented singer and guitarist Frankie Lombardi, a longtime member of Dickey Betts’ band. Saturday, 2 p.m.; Big Top Brewers Collective, 2507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch; facebook.com/BigTopBrewersCollective

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3. Family Fun Night celebrates improvements to GT Bray Park in Bradenton

The public is invited to celebrate GT Bray Park with a ceremonial rededication on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by Family Fun Night, which runs until 9 p.m. The event includes bounce houses, a foam play area, face painting, crafts, a backpack giveaway (while supplies last) and food trucks. Local country music band One Night Rodeo will perform beginning at 6:30 p.m. The pool, Walton Racquet Center, fitness center and recreation facility will be open until 9 p.m. Friday, 6-9 p.m.; GT Bray Park, 502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton; 941-742-5923; mymanatee.org

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4. Drag Queen Bingo Extravaganza at McCurdy’s in Sarasota

Ready for some R-rated hilarity? Tamiami Trails headlines this variety show featuring live performances by some of the region’s most fabulous drag queens, along with three bingo games featured throughout the event. 8 p.m. Sunday; McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $26; 941-925-3869; mccurdyscomedy.com

5. Summer Circus Spectacle at The Ringling in Sarasota

Summer Circus Spectacular, the annual collaboration between Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling, brings family-friendly entertainment to the lavish, intimate, air-conditioned Historic Asolo Theater. The production features world-class circus performers, including contortionist Uranbileg Angarag, the Bello Sisters’ acrobatic hand balance, and Camille Langlois’ hair-hanging act. Also note that after attending Summer Circus Spectacular, you can enjoy same-day admission to the Circus Museum for just $5. Fridays through August 17; Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; $20, $15 children 12 and under; 941-360-7399; ringling.org

Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.

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