This Weekend in Social we begin with Sunday, and work our way back.
The Sarasota Invitational Regatta included more than 1,500 athletes and 700 boat entries, including a fleet of military boats led by U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps veterans from different eras Sunday.
The two-day event began with more than 120 youth and adult races that included a military veterans finale. A four-man crew of two U.S. Navy and two Marine Corps veterans cruised to an easy victory.
All participants in the military vets race were awarded gold medals.
Military crewmembers pose for a photograph following their race @SarasotaRegatta Invitational. pic.twitter.com/0iNfq2ASSz
— Carlos Munoz (@ReadCarlos) February 28, 2016
The winning Navy/Marine Corps combo quad boat finished well ahead of its U.S. Army mates, and was serenaded across the finish line with the U.S. Navy fight song “Anchors Aweigh,” as they made their way to the recovery area.
All of the veterans in the race were awarded gold medals regardless of their standing.
Military veterans race caps two-days of rowing @SarasotaRegatta Invitational https://t.co/FZUrHdcDQE #bendersonpark pic.twitter.com/GBshGpAHIs
— Carlos Munoz (@ReadCarlos) February 29, 2016
.@SarasotaRegatta military vet's race participant retired @USArmy major Paul Blackketter, CEO/Prez of SANCA. pic.twitter.com/4jrv75tX6P
— Carlos Munoz (@ReadCarlos) February 29, 2016
For the final results of this weekend’s seventh annual Sarasota Invitational Regatta visit: https://www.regattacentral.com/regatta/?job_id=4002.
? Gently down the stream…? @SarasotaRegatta #bendersonpark pic.twitter.com/K5YOUo7MsY
— Carlos Munoz (@ReadCarlos) February 28, 2016
The civilian side of this weekend’s events included the second annual Suncoast Blues Festival at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds.
At the Suncoast Blues Festival, Sarasota, FL – 2/27/16. pic.twitter.com/4Ucj3Z4Uiv
— Timo Arthur (@timoarthur) February 28, 2016
Blues, beer and best friends at the 2016 Suncoast Blues Festival. #supportlivemusic #blues #sarasota @suncoastbf pic.twitter.com/T14DjT3gZg
— Teri Stabler (@TeriKayS) February 27, 2016
Kettle of Fish start off the Suncoast Blues Festival out at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. https://t.co/RKaD2344Tf
— Rachel O'Hara (@RachelO_photog) February 27, 2016
It's Friday night & the 2016 Suncoast Blues Festival is off! Up first @jpsoars. @suncoastbf #sarasota pic.twitter.com/MUxbmmzsnr
— Teri Stabler (@TeriKayS) February 26, 2016
Photos from the @SuncoastBlues Festival. https://t.co/AkMuXw1EEk @HeraldTribune pic.twitter.com/gpAppP3fKP
— Rachel O'Hara (@RachelO_photog) February 27, 2016
A local high school had a shot at state glory but fell short of the FHSAA Boy’s Basketball Class A state championship Saturday. Riverview High School lost 64-57 to Coral Springs but gained a life lesson in loss.
This video says it all… Riverview couldn't be more proud. God is good. Go Rams! https://t.co/VdH9Ajk9mB
— Chloe Judge (@chloeeejudge) February 29, 2016
Congrats! Riverview Rams on an excellent season.
Final story on Riverview for the season! Proud of these boys. https://t.co/2wHN0a0Hew pic.twitter.com/Q7G20Oi2PG
— Lynden Blake (@lynblake) February 29, 2016
Even Dick Vitale was jacked about this past season:
College coaches better get to Sarasota my area as local school has 2 big time D1 PTPers who r jrs. @dfernsports https://t.co/gHubOSKWfF
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 27, 2016
Sarasota got its punches in at the Golden Gloves boxing event that rocked Robarts Arena.
The ring announcer for tonight's Golden Gloves Boxing at Robarts Arena in Sarasota – Gator Ryan of @stlrmedia pic.twitter.com/1vXPLfe4Wi
— ChadBrockhoff (@TheCBrockShow) February 27, 2016
If you missed it, watch the entire event online at:
Baseball is still swinging away at Ed Smith Stadium but now it has some fancy new bling on its fence:
New signage at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla. #OrangeSpring #STMA pic.twitter.com/AqzjLbTEVv
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) February 27, 2016
And after much anticipation, the furry river otters, Jane, Huck and Pippi, have been revealed to the public at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
Mote posted a dose of their awesomeness on Twitter:
A look behind-the-scenes at #MoteOtters.https://t.co/fdtVk3W1r3 pic.twitter.com/xemfojFv0h
— Rachel O'Hara (@RachelO_photog) February 25, 2016
Even if I did miss a visit from “Ollie,” in the newsroom.
Video: When #OllieTheOtter joins your editor for a video shoot in the newsroom. @BillChurchMedia https://t.co/DNT94BlWXi
— Vicki Dean (@vdeanfla) February 26, 2016
@BillChurchMedia with Ollie the otter at @HeraldTribune. pic.twitter.com/xojBGyhPii
— Rachel O'Hara (@RachelO_photog) February 25, 2016
Nope, I’m cool.
Did you know “Ollie the otter” was also the name of a faux-fur collar involved in a police call in Newport, England in February?
Fake fur 'Ollie' sparks injured otter call to Newport police https://t.co/Wxt68rCtit via @oddnewsupi
— Susan Nunes (@tonysam2) February 25, 2016
Seriously, me and this guy need to meet:
Ollie tried to steal some samples but ended up making a friend! Silly otter! #MoteOtters pic.twitter.com/K6xOYwhaYA
— Mote Marine Lab (@MoteMarineLab) February 26, 2016
Read more about what it takes to become a Mote aquarium biologist here:
Aquarium biologist gets to touch animal noses at Mote https://t.co/BdKAqH3M1I via @ReadCarlos
— Mote Marine Lab (@MoteMarineLab) February 20, 2016
And, by the way, congrats! Leo. that seriously took forever, and you didn’t have to drown for it:
he took his time to talk about climate change and the environment even though it was his first time winning an oscar https://t.co/5Cp1nQenpQ
— shandi (@especiallyhes) February 29, 2016
Now, back to the beach:
Friday. Beach day! Thanks to #Sarasota resident Norm Schimmel for sharing this pic of #Lido Beach. ? pic.twitter.com/CJOQsOJkuN
— City of Sarasota (@CityofSarasota) February 26, 2016