Sunset Royale Breeze

Tropical Wood Carvings

Every year after spring break Siesta Fiesta takes over the village of Siesta Key for a weekend of fun, art, crafts and sidewalk foods. This year Siesta Fiesta was “stridin” with the new look of Siesta Key all around the vendors booths. This is the 31st annual Siesta Fiesta and is the same date as the original Siesta Fiesta. The weather is perfect for this fun weekend and locals, visitors and downtown shop owners are all smiling.

Ocean Blvd. and Beach Rd. were both covered with Siesta Fiesta vendors displaying their talents. The choices were numerous, from prints to paintings, jewelry to clothing, wood carvings to metal sculptures, fresh citrus drinks to sidewalk fair comfort food, Siesta Fiesta has it all.

Siesta Key Oyster Bar

Each vendors area seemed to have lots of lookers and buyers while the restaurants and sidewalk cafes were busy taking care of those who wanted to sit, eat, drink and take in the street scene in the village. The walk from Sunset Royale takes about 15 minutes and protects you from the one problem that Siesta Key has still not solved, parking. As you walk through the streets the visitors who arrive by car are not obvious in their plight of finding a place to park, but they are there, circling the back streets and lots hoping to find a place for their vehicle.

Siesta Fiesta 2009

The recent updating of Ocean Blvd and the sidewalks and landscaping throughout the Village of Siesta Key has added a very nice touch to street shows such as Siesta Fiesta. My guess is that we will see even more street shows in the future that are staged in the nice new street venue in the heart of Siesta Key Village. The removal of overhead power lines, cable and telephone wire along with the unsightly poles that supported them has accented the shops and restaurants along the street. Adding to this the new landscape and unique street lights along with the brick paver sidewalks, cross walks and intersections has added a touch class to the very laid back Siesta Key charm.

Siesta Fiesta on Beach Road

When you turn the corner from Ocean Blvd and continue down Beach Road where the power lines and poles have not been removed the palm trees and new street continue with the upbeat feeling of the tropical Village of Siesta Key and it’s new updated look. One cannot help but wonder if Sarasota County will now realize that not only did Siesta Key Village sharpen their look, but also made it a safer location when our winds develop during a tropical squall or even tropical storm condition. Perhaps the realization that Beach Road is an exit for many during hurricane season to leave the island will cause the county to realize the importance of not having fallen power lines blocking this all too important exit path. Come on County Supervisors the Village has done what they felt they had to do, now it’s your turn. Put Siesta Key utility lines along Beach Road and Midnight Pass under ground.