Free block parties, festivals and more fun events in Sarasota area this weekend

Our lineup of exciting March events in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties kicks off this weekend with block parties, festivals, and circus thrills. Leading our list is a free street party held in downtown Sarasota, and you will also find another similar one happening in Lakewood Ranch. Meanwhile, live music fans have a couple of great festivals occurring, with one each in Sarasota and Englewood.

In addition to the five events highlighted below, you can visit the free Embracing Our Differences exhibit on Bayfront Park and/or check out the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees water ski team performing with free bleacher seating (donations encouraged) at 2 p.m. Sundays on City Island.

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1. Fresh Fridays block party in downtown Sarasota

Downtown Sarasota's popular Fresh Fridays block party series continues this week with a performance by Southbound 75, a country music band that plays danceable originals and popular cover songs. Local restaurants will offer bites and drinks and there will also be lawn games such as cornhole as well as oversized Connect Four and Jenga. 7-10 p.m. Friday; State Street, downtown Sarasota; downtownsarasotadid.com/fresh-fridays

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2. Sean Chambers Red Hot Blues Festival at Big Top Brewing in Sarasota

Nationally acclaimed blues/rock singer, guitarist and songwriter Sean Chambers, who lives in Punta Gorda, is the namesake act of this impressive, three-day music festival taking place at Big Top Brewing, which is home to award-winning beers, and tasty pizza and wings by Origin. Chambers headlines Friday, with Saturday's roster including a special guest spot by Les Dudek, who played guitar with the likes of Stevie Nicks, Cher, Boz Scaggs, Steve Miller, and the Allman Brothers Band, famously playing alongside Sarasota resident Dickey Betts on his hit songs "Ramblin' Man" and "Jessica." National blues/rock star Damon Fowler, who has also played alongside Betts, headlines on Sunday. 7 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; free, $30 reserved seat all three days; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com

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3. Englewood Food Truck Rally & Music Festival

Food trucks offering everything from Florida favorites to international cuisine will be the main attraction at this festival along with a first-rate music roster. In fact, several of the artists playing the Sean Chambers Red Hot Blues Festival will be at this one. These include Chambers (4:30-6 p.m. Saturday), J.P. Soars & the Red Hots (6:30-8 p.m. Saturday) and Damon Fowler (8:30-10 p.m. Saturday). Plus, local Grateful Dead enthusiasts will want to catch tribute act Dead Set from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, which will be the last performance of this three-day festival. 4-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday; Pioneer Park, 348 W. Green St., Englewood; free admission; 941-487-8061; paragonfestivals.com

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4. Music on Main at Lakewood Ranch

While we love Fresh Fridays in downtown Sarasota, the first Friday of the month also means you can enjoy the free Lakewood Ranch block party Music on Main. Eireann’s Call will perform Celtic rock featuring bagpipes, fiddle, and close vocal harmonies; and you’ll find the street lined with food vendors and beer trucks, as well as rides and activities for children. 6-9 p.m. Friday; Main Street, Lakewood Ranch; lakewoodranch.com

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5. Circus Sarasota at Nathan Benderson Park

Those seeking high-flying thrills will want to check out the latest production of the long-running Circus Sarasota. The lengthy lineup features Joseph Bauer Jr. (ringmaster); The Bello Sisters (acrobatic hand-balancing, who competed on “America’s Got Talent”); Caleb Carinci (horseback riding); Duo Minasov (quick change artistry); Elan España (diabolo juggling); Noe España & Marcos Ponce Lopez (double wheel of destiny). Today through March 10; Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota; $30-$80; 941-355-9805; circusarts.org

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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 Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top things to do in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice this weekend