SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - The annual Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival is set for Oct. 18–19 at Selby Five Points Park, where visitors can explore a wide range of local and regional arts. Attendees can explore a diverse selection of jewelry, ceramics, photography, clothing and more.

Cooler weather in Sarasota makes this the perfect time to visit these top spots — before tourist season starts and the crowds return.

The hour-and-a-half-long memorial that began Saturday morning teetered between a tribute to the life and times of Charlie Kirk, the provocative conservative activist known as a warrior in digital media for Christian conservatism, and a political rally for the Republican Party and against Democrats and the left.

Fun things to do, all of which are outdoor and free-admission events, this weekend in Sarasota and Bradenton, Oct. 17-19.

The city's annual Veterans Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 11, culminating in a ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens recently debuted its annual orchid show, which runs through Dec. 7 at its downtown campus. See the photos.

Joyful Journeys' book club; Sarasota Medieval Fair; VITA seeks support; Sarasota Choral Society; ensembleNEWSRQ; literacy volunteers.

A downtown Sarasota restaurant icon — one that I’ve happily frequented for decades, including another pleasant visit this week for pizza at the bar — will be closing soon and moving after 37 years in the same historic setting.

Downtown Sarasota condo project with 172 units and retail space in two towers fails city committee approval. Here's what's next.