I Love Sarasota Bay Photo Contest" Open to Adults and Children

"Eagle" by Sandy Hedgepeth

SARASOTA – The Sarasota Bay Water Festival is encouraging photography enthusiasts of all ages to prepare entries for the I Love Sarasota Bay Photo Contest.

The winning submissions will be displayed at the regional festival on Saturday, November 2 at Ken Thompson Park in Sarasota. Festival visitors will also have an opportunity to vote on a People’s Choice award. The photo contest celebrates the beauty and importance of Sarasota Bay. Contest guidelines are posted at SarasotaBayWaterFestival.com.

“Photography is a terrific way to express the emotional connection many people feel about Sarasota Bay,” said Randy Moore, the festival director. “That can include photos of birds, aquatic life and other wildlife as well as images of people enjoying water sports and recreational

The contest winners from the three age divisions in 2012 included Makeala Frankford of Sarasota, Mary Lou Johnson of Longboat Key, Victoria Holcomb of Sarasota, Kristina Carreras of Bradenton, Caroline Griffith or Sarasota, Larry George of Lakewood Ranch, Dick Plaff of Sarasota, Ronald Hecox of Parrish, and Terry Frankford of Sarasota. Makeala is Terry’s granddaugther.

Other highlights planned for this year’s water festival include the first Dragon Boat Races on Sarasota Bay, live music, artists selling unique gift items, practical workshops that promote Bayfriendly living, food trucks and local restaurants, vintage boat displays, activities for kids, and exhibits promoting recreational boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle board sports, scuba diving, cycling, birding, and other fun activities associated with Sarasota Bay.

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is the Presenting Sponsor and HDR, Inc. is the Host Sponsor for 2013. Online applications from prospective sponsors and exhibitors are now being accepted at SarasotaBayWaterFestival.com.

Festival sponsors include: Sarasota County, Freedom Boat Club, City of Sarasota, Whole Foods Market, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Manatee County, The Old Salty Dog, Sierra Club, Mote Marine Laboratory, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Caldwell Trust Company, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, West Coast Inland Navigation District, Town of Longboat Key, Scheda Ecological Associates, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, City of Bradenton, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Save Our Seabirds, Around the Bend Nature Tours, High Five Dragon Boat, Friends of Sarasota County Parks, Sun King Disc Sports, and Triple 3 Marketing.

Festival organizers are seeking additional sponsors and exhibitors. Sponsor donations support the festival and SBEP education and volunteer programs benefiting Sarasota Bay. Details about sponsorship and exhibiting are posted at SarasotaBayWaterFestival.com.