Sarasota Pineapple Drop 2016: Road Closings, Event Information

SARASOTA, FL — As Sarasota prepares for the arrival of 2017, the city is pulling out all the stops with the return of its annual downtown Pineapple Drop on Dec. 31. Folks who plan to ring in the New Year at the all-day party need to know a few things before they go.

Event Location, Times, Cost

The fun begins in the area of Lemon Avenue and Main Street around 1 p.m. Dec. 31 and ends at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 1, 2017. The event is free, but folks might want to bring cash for food, rides and other attractions.

Pineapple Drop Location

The big lighted pineapple will drop to mark the arrival of 2017 at the intersection of Lemon Avenue and Main Street.

Entertainment Schedule

Live music begins on three different stages starting at 8 p.m.:

• Big Night Out will play on the Mattison’s Stage near 1st Street, 8 p.m.
• The Jah Movement Raggae Band will play on the east stage on Main Street, 9 p.m.
• DJs will take over the Lemon Avenue stage near the Gator Club around 8 p.m.

While live music begins at 8 p.m., event organizers say “dancing in the streets begins at 3 p.m.”

Daytime Events

Games, rides and attractions for families are set to open around 2 p.m. on Pineapple and 1st Street. The Five Points Fair is making a return and organizers say there will be plenty of vendors offering food and other items.

Road Closings

To make way for the party, the Sarasota Police Department has announced the following road closings:

• 5 a.m., December 30, 2016 - 9 a.m. January 1, 2017: Central Avenue closed Main Street to 1st Street
• 5 a.m., December 30, 2016 - 9 a.m. January 1, 2017: 1st Street closed from Central Avenue to Pineapple Avenue
• 5 a.m., December 30, 2016 - 9 a.m. January 1, 2017: Pineapple Avenue closed from 1st Street to Main Street
• 6 a.m., December 31, 2016 - 9 a.m. January 1, 2017: Lemon Avenue closed from Main Street to 1st Street
• 6 a.m., December 31, 2016 - 9 a.m. January 1, 2017: Main Street closed from Orange Avenue to Central Avenue
• 6 a.m., December 31, 2016 - 9 a.m. January 1, 2017: Lemon Avenue closed from Main Street to State Street

For more event details, visit the 2016 Sarasota Pineapple Drop’s website.

Image via Shutterstock