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Sarasota County to host Siesta Beach celebration

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​The community is invited to come see what's new at the country's No. 1 beach as Sarasota County hosts a free, family-friendly event at Siesta Beach from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 20.

The morning will include an opening ceremony at 9 a.m., followed by entertainment, refreshments, recreational activities, kids' crafts, beach sports, the Mote Marine Touch Tank and more. The celebration marks the completion of Sarasota County's $21.5 million Siesta Beach Park improvement project.

The festivities will include an opportunity for visitors to join a walking tour along the new Siesta Beach esplanade to see all of the amenities and learn more about them from guides stationed along the way. The tour begins at 10 a.m., and participants can grab a special passport to be stamped at each stop, with an opportunity to win prizes at the end.

Improvements at Siesta Beach include the historic pavilion, pedestrian esplanade, Siesta Sun Deck, updated playground and family picnic areas, life safety building and more. In addition to being a major tourist attraction, Siesta Beach is also a community park that hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic international sand sculpting competition and the popular Sandy Claws Beach Run.

Siesta Beach is located at 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key.

For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000.

About Siesta Beach
Siesta Beach, located in Sarasota County, has earned numerous national and international accolades, including being voted "No. 1 Beach in the U.S." in TripAdvisor's 2015 Travelers' Choice Awards and being named the No. 1 Beach in America by "Dr. Beach" in 2011. It has also earned a reputation as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, thanks in part to its fine white sands composed of 99 percent pure quartz, which stays cool even on a hot, sunny day. Shallow water near the shoreline, a variety of amenities and year-round lifeguard services make this beach a favorite for residents and visitors alike. Siesta Beach is also a National Healthy Beach, and it is certified as a "Blue Wave" beach by the Clean Beaches Council.

Photo courtesy Sarasota County