Sarasota County Bayfest set for Saturday to spotlight waterway protection
March 06, 2026 | Sarasota County, Florida
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Sarasota County's Bayfest will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering free family activities and displays aimed at teaching residents how everyday actions affect local waterways, agency official Kayla Quinn said.
The event, organized by the county’s stormwater program, is billed as a free, family-friendly opportunity for residents to “explore, engage, and learn” through hands-on experiences about local waterways. Quinn said the theme this year is “the wonders of waters,” intended to showcase the role of seagrass and other local habitats in maintaining water quality.
Quinn described planned activities including kayak rides around the Mangrove Bayou, an on-screen snorkel experience and a presentation about dolphins that inhabit Sarasota Bay. “We’ll also have live music, food trucks, games, and crafts,” she said. Kayak rides and the snorkel exhibit are meant to give families a close-up look at local habitats, Quinn said.
On the broader educational goals, Quinn said, “Bayfest is designed to bring awareness to how our everyday actions on land can affect the health of our waters.” She added that the event aims to connect stormwater management practices with the health of seagrass and other coastal resources and to share simple actions residents can take to protect those resources.
Sam Parker, who introduced the segment, thanked Quinn and directed listeners to the county’s water-quality page for additional information. “If you have any questions about water quality, visit scgov.net/waterquality,” Parker said.
The event is free and open to all ages. Organizers recommend visiting the county website for details on parking, exact launch points for kayak rides and any weather-related updates.
The event, organized by the county’s stormwater program, is billed as a free, family-friendly opportunity for residents to “explore, engage, and learn” through hands-on experiences about local waterways. Quinn said the theme this year is “the wonders of waters,” intended to showcase the role of seagrass and other local habitats in maintaining water quality.
Quinn described planned activities including kayak rides around the Mangrove Bayou, an on-screen snorkel experience and a presentation about dolphins that inhabit Sarasota Bay. “We’ll also have live music, food trucks, games, and crafts,” she said. Kayak rides and the snorkel exhibit are meant to give families a close-up look at local habitats, Quinn said.
On the broader educational goals, Quinn said, “Bayfest is designed to bring awareness to how our everyday actions on land can affect the health of our waters.” She added that the event aims to connect stormwater management practices with the health of seagrass and other coastal resources and to share simple actions residents can take to protect those resources.
Sam Parker, who introduced the segment, thanked Quinn and directed listeners to the county’s water-quality page for additional information. “If you have any questions about water quality, visit scgov.net/waterquality,” Parker said.
The event is free and open to all ages. Organizers recommend visiting the county website for details on parking, exact launch points for kayak rides and any weather-related updates.
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