Weekend Things: Run For The Turtles

1. Run your tail off for turtles on Saturday.

annual Run for the Turtles on Siesta Key Public Beach raises money for Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program.

The 1-mile fun run begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K Manasota Truck Club-sanctioned run begins at 8 a.m. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. at the Siesta Key Gazebo, south of the pavilion.

Registration costs $30; $20 for children 10 and younger.

Fore more information, visit www.mote.org/turtlerun.

2.  will host “Paint the Town READ,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. The event will feature author meet-and-greet sessions, book discussions, an open-microphone session, a book sale to benefit the Friends of Selby Library and more.

Topics for book discussions include:

• Audiobooks facilitated by Susan Rife, arts and books editor for the Herald-Tribune Media Group.
• Who Knew? and Poetry, facilitated by Georgia Court, Bookstore1 Sarasota owner.
• Classic Food Writers facilitated by librarian Charlotte Thompson.
• New to You, a sneak preview of new books with David Chaplin, Bookstore1 Sarasota’s manager.

For more info, call  941-861-5000.

3. Sarasota Music Scene will co-host a free, all-ages Sarasota Film Festival pre-party from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday at called Midnight at the Nickelodeon. A vintage silent film will be the backdrop as bands perform that night, and tickets to the festival will be on sale at the bar. Bands include Scone Train, Bard and Mustache, Come Back Alice and Villanova Junction.

4. Celebrate Good Friday downtown by joining local churches in the walking of the Stations of the Cross.

People interested in participating should arrive at 7:15 a.m., in front of the  on Main Street, and the walking of the Stations will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m., when the Rev. Fredrick A. Robinson, Redeemer's Rector, members of the Men's Ministry of Redeemer and of the Sarasota Ministerial Association, will lead the pilgrimage in prayer and singing. 

The route leads down Main Street, then down Pineapple Avenue, ending at the Church of the Redeemer.

5. The Sarasota / Manatee Branch of the All Children's Hospital Guild will host  "The Ringling Cup" Polo Event on Easter Sunday, April 8, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, located at 8201 Polo Club Lane in Lakewood Ranch.

Features include a catered lunch by Marttison's, a cash bar, an Easter Egg Drop, Easter Bonnet Contest and silent action.

Tickets are $25 per person and children under 12 are free. Call Lydia Landa at 350-6872 for tickets or more information.