New Dates For Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix

New dates for Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix.  Well, this is a bummer.  For those of us who enjoy the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix over the July 4^th weekend each year, those plans will have to change this year.  They are moving the races.  This event has been going on for over 40 years on Lido beach, but this year, it won’t be happening.

They have announced new dates for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix to September.  The new dates will be September 13^th – 15^th now.  For years, families and friends have been traveling to Lido beach over the 4^th of July for the big weekend.  Not only is there powerboat races, but music plus all sorts of other entertainment.  This year, it will not be happening over the 4^th of July holiday weekend. 

Several reasons prompting the move included driving more business to local retailers, hotels, and restaurants during the off-season. It will also help alleviate the limited City and County resources. Plus it is a better time of year by moving away from the peak bird and turtle nesting season on our area beaches. They will also reduce pressure on local law enforcement by moving it to September.  With all the events over the holiday weekend, law enforcement are overstretched and have to work several hours of overtime to cover multiple events in the area. 

I have been to these races in the past and it is a blast.  Every year my friends get hotel rooms on the beach and party out there all weekend.  The beaches are packed.  You have to get up and get a spot on the beach early.  Plan on staying there all day, because after the races are over, it’s best to wait before heading out.  The traffic getting off the beach area is backed up for hours. 

The current official APBA Offshore National Championship Series schedule for the Spec classes—Super Cat, Super Stock and Mod V—and Bracket classes is as follows:

April 27-28, 7 Mile Grand Prix, Marathon, Fla.—Race World Offshore
May 16-19, Thunder On Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach, Fla.—Powerboat P1
June 7-9, Ocean City Grand Prix, Ocean City, Md.—Race World Offshore
August 9-11, Midwest Challenge, Sheboygan, Wis.—Powerboat P1
September 13-15, Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, Sarasota, Fla.—Powerboat P1
September 27-29, XINSURANCE Clearwater Nationals—Race World Offshore
October 18-20, St. Pete Grand Prix, St. Petersburg, Fla.—Powerboat P1

It's never been a secret that Florida is a great place to live. The U-Haul trucks are almost always heading south when you're on I-95 in the northeast. Our beaches, sports teams, (formerly) lower cost of living, and outdoor recreation choices are second to none. So it should be no surprise that no less than 14 cities made the newest U.S. News & World Report list of the best 150 places to live in the U.S. for 2023-2024.

Tampa did NOT top the list. But only 4 Florida cities beat us. And with the number of incoming residents every week, maybe that's a good thing. U.S. News came up with these rankings based on things like quality of life and value. That second one is tricky these days as real estate prices have soared in the past decade. Add to that skyrocketing home insurance rates, value is definitely a relative term.

Sure they may be home to South Beach and the Miami Heat and scored a 6.2 for quality of life. But our largest city in the state scored the lowest for value with a 3.6.

With 38 lakes and an infusion of "Old Florida history and natural beauty," making this list is no shock to Polk County residents have seen a huge uptick in traffic and population.

White sand beaches and countless outdoor activities have made this spot a favorite among retirees.

The "Horse Capital of the World" landed at #67 nationwide. U.S. News loved Ocala's rolling hills and green pastures. Ocala scored highest on this list in terms of value with a 7.2.

With a relaxed atmosphere compared to the cities it rests between (Orlando and Miami), Port St. Lucie made the list with scenic waterways and lush green golf courses along with more affordable homes (relatively speaking).

Tally is the only other city besides Tampa on this list where I've lived. I only lasted a year... it was too remote for me.  And when FSU students and the government workers were out of town, it felt like a ghost town.  But you can't be the vibe on a Seminoles game day. U.S. News also liked the city's southern heritage influences in its architecture and landscape.

Lots to do when Disney, Universal, Sea World are all in your backyard. But that traffic!

Great fishing spots and proximity to Daytona International Speedway were the selling points writers loved.

Beautiful sunsets and emerald green waters helped the area land at #28 nationally.

U.S. News loved our laid back beach lifestyle and our big city amenities like our successful sports teams, museums, and social scene.

Nature trails for hiking and marshes to kayak along with a new art and music scene helped land Jacksonville in the #16 spot overall in the U.S.

Their Eau Gallie Arts District scored points as well as their historic downtown area's museums and galleries.

Certainly not the most affordable area on this list, U.S. News loved the beaches, golf courses, dining and shopping choices. Naples scored the highest among these Florida cities for quality of life with a 7.1.

They loved Sarasota's art scene, beaches and restaurants.  Sarasota came in #5 nationally behind Green Bay, Huntsville, Raleigh, and Boulder.  U.S. News researchers loved the opera house, rooftop bars and Siesta Key.