The words ‘siesta’ meaning a short nap and ‘fiesta’ meaning a party is quite an oxymoron when put together. However, if you embody the emotion one feels while lying on Siesta Key Beach and pair it with the liveliness found in the heart of Siesta Key Village, you wind up with two events loved by locals: Fiesta on Siesta and Siesta Fiesta.

The collegiate volleyball tournament, better known as Fiesta on Siesta, takes place on April 16-17th, 2011. Approximately one hundred teams from more than twenty schools will battle on the sands of Sarasota and some will advance closer to $5,000 in prize money. Last season, girls form our local State College of Florida and University of South Florida received gold and silver medals respectively. Teams from the University of Florida placed high in the ranks as well. The Florida Gators are the ones to fear this year. The team ranked as the overall, top seed of the 2010 Division I, NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship Tournament.

With over 15 courts on Siesta Key beach, you are bound to catch some of the intense competition. Games are scheduled to start at approximately 10a.m. and last throughout the day.

Shortly after the excitement of beach volleyball dies down, locals and tourists alike, flock to Siesta Key Village to enjoy the energetic atmosphere of Siesta Fiesta. More than 250 artisans, crafters, and vendors line Ocean Boulevard and Beach Road with tents filled with all sorts of unique goodies. Original artwork from talented photographers, painters, sculptures and other mixed media artists provide the authenticity art lovers crave. This show is a juried event, which means carefully selected, top-notch work. There are no amateurs, so product quality is never a question of concern. Whether you spend hours perusing through a variety of handcrafted items or you just want to listen to the music, Siesta Fiesta is a guaranteed good time.

The weekend fiesta not only fuels the creative spirit, it will appeal to your taste buds too. Food stands will be set up throughout, but if a sit down meal is what you prefer, there are several places to go. Getting an outdoor table at the Daiquiri Deck is a sure-fire way to relax and yet still observe the fun.

Sarasota Florida’s 33rd Annual Siesta Fiesta falls on the weekend of April 30-May 1, 2011. This free event will last from 10am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday.



Source by Marc Rasmussen