Date Archives: April 2021

Let's play pickleball! This paddleball sport that's sweeping the nation is a mix between tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played either one-on-one or two-on-two, pickleball is great for players of all ages and skill levels. Our REALTORS® love playing pickleball, and we know you will too! Grab a few friends and learn to play this exciting sport at one of these courts.

1. Colonial Oaks Park — 5300 Colonial Oaks Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34232
   Enjoy a day outdoors at the sprawling 23-acre Colonial Oaks Park. A perfect place to relax and enjoy Florida's warm weather, this park features a dedicated pickleball court for you to grow your game. Colonial Oaks Park is surrounded by Sarasota homes for sale, enabling you to spend time playing pickleball and picnicking throughout the year!
   
   
2. Bayfront Park — 4052 Gulf Of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, FL 34228
   When searching for Longboat Key homes for sale, let us direct you to one of the many community parks in town, such as Bayfront Park. This local park offers many opportunities to participate in recreational sports, including pickleball! Bring your pickleball paddle and stop by this local park. Hours of play are from 7 am - 10 pm. 
   
   
3. Longwood Park — 6050 Longwood Run Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34243
   Another fantastic indoor and outdoor recreational facility near many of our Sarasota homes for sale, Longwood Park has everything adults, kids, and even dogs need to enjoy fun in the Florida sun. This dog-friendly park has a pickleball court, baseball field, tennis court, and playground, among other great amenities.  
   
   
4. Lakewood Ranch Park — 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34211
   One benefit we love about our Lakewood Ranch homes for sale is that these beautiful properties are within a short distance to amazing green spaces like the Lakewood Ranch Park. Open from sunrise until nearly midnight, Lakewood Ranch Park provides nearly the entire day for you to practice your pickleball skills on their courts. With eight hard-court tennis courts that feature lighting, there is plenty of room for you and your group of friends to have your own pickleball tournament.
   
   
5. Palmetto Tennis Courts — 1500 W. 10th St., Palmetto, FL 34221
   If you're already an avid tennis player looking at Palmetto homes for sale, you've surely heard of the nearby Palmetto Tennis Courts. Open for play from sunrise to sunset. They're also the perfect place to challenge your friends and family to a game of pickleball. Reservations are not required, so feel free to pop in at any time for a game!
   
   
6. John H. Marble Park — 3675 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34203
   One of the coolest parks near our Bradenton homes for sale is John H. Marble Park. Whenever you visit for a game of pickleball on one of their two tennis-lighted hard courts, take a moment to explore their other amenities. Bocce ball, a pool, and even a remote control race track are available to use at your leisure. 

Would you like to live close to these wonderful pickleball courts so you can pay every day? Contact us and we'll show you the best homes available in the Sarasota and Manatee area.

Florida is home to so much natural beauty and wonderful outdoor activities! Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd with our REALTORS® at these special activities in the great outdoors around Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

1. Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures - 190 Taft Dr., Sarasota, FL 34236
   No time for a vacation? Kayaking is a wonderful way to relax and clear your mind. With Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures, all you need is a couple of hours just minutes from Longboat Key homes for sale. Enjoy leisurely tours of mangrove tunnels and marine preserves with possible sightings of birds, manatees, and bottlenose dolphins. Choose a stand-up paddleboard if you prefer a more vigorous workout. 
   
   
2. Rye Preserve - 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish, FL 34219
   Step back into Manatee County's history with a visit to Rye Preserve. The 145-acre grounds, encompass four different ecosystems. Walk the trails leading through sand pine scrub, oak hammocks, and xeric oak scrub while the kids try to spot a rare gopher tortoise or other wildlife. Pet-friendly Rye Preserve is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. Consider stopping by after looking at Parrish homes for sale.
   
   
3. Sarasota Farmers Market - 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236
   The farm-to-table movement honors the rich variety of nutritious food that comes directly from Mother Nature. Healthy eating around Sarasota homes for sale is easy when you shop the fruits, vegetables, and artisan products at Sarasota Farmers Market. There's always great live music to enjoy while you shop. Leashed dogs are welcome at the market, which is open each Saturday from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., year-round.
   
   
4. Palma Sola Botanical Park - 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton, FL 34209
   Nature's glorious colors are on full display at Palma Sola Botanical Park. Stroll along with the stunning gardens and around the three onsite lakes or sit in the gazebos, swing, or screened pavilion and take in the beauty around you. Yoga classes are held in the park multiple times a week, offering residents a relaxing way to connect with nature. Stop in after touring Bradenton homes for sale and pick up some flowers and plants at the Hidden Garden Nursery. 
   
   
5. Oscar Scherer State Park - 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
   When you visit Oscar Scherer State Park, you'll quickly forget how close you are to Osprey homes for sale. This pet-friendly secluded gem has 15 miles of nature trails and a three-acre freshwater lake with opportunities for paddling, swimming, camping, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. Admission is $5 per vehicle, and hours are 8 a.m. - sundown year-round.

It's only natural to put down roots around Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Contact us to get started finding your dream home in the area.

If you've been exploring Sarasota homes for sale, you'll quickly learn about the area's unique connection to the circus industry. The city of Sarasota was the winter home of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus and continues to carry on a rich circus tradition today.

Our real estate agents love sharing the details of the Sarasota area's history and helping new residents connect with the local culture. One of our favorite area attractions is the Circus Ring of Fame.

A Long-Standing Circus Tradition

In celebration of the area's long-standing circus heritage, the Circus Ring of Fame was constructed in St. Armand's Circle in 1987. Each year, the public nominates new potential Circus Ring of Fame inductees. They're voted on by former inductees and members of the global Circus Advisory Council. The winners are honored with a bronze wagon wheel plaque, which is added to the Circus Ring of Fame. 

2021 Inductions

The 2021 winners include "Galaxy Girl" Tina Winn, "King of the Highwire" Nik Wallenda, and circus performers George Carden, Willie Edelson, and the Richter/Casselley Families. 

These new inductees will join 150 other members that have been honored each year since the Circus Ring of Fame began. While the induction ceremony is typically scheduled for mid-January each year, the 2021 ceremony has been rescheduled for the first quarter of 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Visit the Circus Ring of Fame

The Circus Ring of Fame is located in the central park in St. Armands Circle. Visitors are free to explore the area, taking time to read the plaques and appreciate these many circus greats. Some of the plaques you'll find there include circus greats P.T. Barnum, John Ringling, and the astounding aerialists, the Flying Wallendas.

Other circus greats that were previously inducted include famous clowns Emmett Kelley and Lou Jacobs, renowned animal trainer Gunther Gebel-Williams, and aerialist Lillian Wetzel.

While you're in the area, you may want to expand the circus experience even further by visiting the Circus Museum, located on the grounds of Sarasota's Ringling Museum. The Ca' d'Zan, which is the stunning former home of circus titan John Ringling and his wife Mable, is also worth a visit. You won't want to miss these exciting and unique local destinations. 

About St. Armands Circle 

There's a lot to love about visiting St. Armand's Circle! Not only is it home to the Circus Ring of Fame, but it's also one of Sarasota's best places to enjoy an exceptional array of restaurants, retail shops, salons and spas, and more. The area is known for its upscale yet casual elegance. It's the ideal place to shop for jewelry, clothing, artwork, home decor, and more. 

While you're exploring St. Armands Circle, plan to pay a visit to The Columbia Restaurant. This popular hotspot has been a staple in Sarasota since 1959 and is now the city's oldest restaurant.

Other well-known dining establishments in St. Armands circle include Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar, Speaks Clam Bar, ChaCha Coconuts, and the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar. Each offers a unique experience.

Find Your Dream Home Today! 

If you've been looking at Sarasota or Bradenton homes for sale, the experts at Wagner Realty are here to help. Contact us today to discuss your goals and get started! 

Spring is in the air, and that can only mean one thing... farm-fresh produce isn't far behind! It's something we look forward to every year. 

Of course, here in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, the growing season never really ends. But the arrival of spring still has our real estate agents excited to hit these local farmers markets in search of the freshest crops of spring. For fresh produce this season, be sure to stop by these local markets. 

1. Oneco Farmers Market - 5108 15th St E Unit 501, Bradenton, FL 34203
   The Oneco Farmers Market is one of those places where you truly never know what you might find. Sure there are the staples, like fresh fruits and vegetables from some of Florida's finest growers. But this market also hosts vendors of all kinds, offering an astonishing variety of handmade crafts and unique foods. Located in a former big-box store just minutes from these Bradenton homes for sale, the Oneco Farmers Market is a true gem in Manatee County. 
   
   
2. Sarasota Farmers Market - 1517 State St Suite 103, Sarasota, FL 34236
   Established in 1979, the Sarasota Farmers Market is one of the oldest markets in the area and one of the most reliable. They're open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 7 am to 1 pm. The market also features a dizzying array of vendors, offering everything from farm-fresh produce and house plants to artisan baked goods and organic skincare products. It's truly an incredible place to find just about anything, and it's mere footsteps from many Sarasota homes for sale.
   
   
3. Detwiler's Farmer's Market - 2881 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231
   Fresh, healthy food is never hard to come by at Detwiler's Farmer's Market. Not only do they have prime fruits and vegetables of every kind imaginable, but also a full-service butcher shop and seafood shop, an Amish-style deli, natural groceries, a wellness department, and a farmhouse bakery. There's even an old-fashioned ice cream shop that serves amazing local ice cream. Or stop by their other locations, including one near Palmetto homes for sale. 
   
   
4. Siesta Key Farmers Market - 5104 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242
   Open in Siesta Village every Sunday from 8 am until 12 pm, the Siesta Key Farmers Market is always a fun place to browse in search of something special. You'll find homemade candles, local honey, specialty teas and coffees, paintings and crafts from local artists, handmade jewelry, and artisan soaps. And of course, you can always count on local farmers to bring in their latest crops. The offerings here often change with the seasons, so you'll want to visit Siesta Key Farmers Market again and again. 
   
   
5. Bradenton Farmers Market - 400 12th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
   The Downtown Bradenton Farmers Market is a favorite destination for Bradenton locals. Open every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm on Old Main Street, it's more than just a place to buy fresh fruits and veggies. It's a social event, a central gathering place, and a crucial part of the community. The market offers live entertainment, games and activities, amazing food, and of course, an astonishing array of vendors selling everything under the sun. 

We just love springtime in Florida! Contact us to learn more about life in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, and be sure to ask our team about finding your Florida dream home today.