The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show at Myakka River State Park. Provided photo.

There is something about Sarasota that seems to defy the expectations of first-time visitors. Perhaps it is the bustling downtown, with the skyline that glows in the early evening night when crossing the John Ringling Causeway. Maybe it’s the incredible arts scene, one that is so bursting at the seams with life it almost feels out of place in a mid-sized city on the Gulf. The most likely reason, however, is more simple—it’s the fact that there is just so much to do, both during the summer months and the winter swell in population, in the area we call home.

Kelly Harb, vice president of marketing and communications at Visit Sarasota County (VSC), knows this well. “When people come to Sarasota that have never been here before, they always say, ‘I had no idea all of this was here,’” says Harb. Earlier this month, Visit Florida and VSC hosted the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show—a nationally syndicated radio broadcast that reaches 2.6 million daily listeners—during which the show broadcasted live from the new Cirque St. Armands Beachside Hotel as a part of its annual KiddNation Family Vacation special broadcast. The cast and crew spent the ensuing week from August 2 to 8 touring local businesses and attractions and sharing their experiences on-air and across social media.

Thanks to the team at VSC, the cast and crew of the Kidd Kraddick Show had plenty to do while in Sarasota County. The week started with a trolley tour of the city with Discover Sarasota Tours, before heading over to The Ringling, where they were surprised by Sarasota native and circus legend Nik Wallenda. “The producers of the show wanted to bring in the essence of our circus heritage to the experience,” says Harb. “The cast was walking the high wire and doing all of these things with him, which was great exposure for them to meet him and learn about all that he does.”

The circus-themed day continued on with a trampoline class at the Circus Arts Conservatory, before ending with dinner at Cafe on St. Armands Circle. Other events included a tour of Sarasota Jungle Gardens, a day spent at the Lido Beach Resort, a walking culinary tour of downtown Sarasota and even an E-bike tour of Myakka River State Park. “Everyone involved with the show was quite impressed with everything that we have here,” says Harb. “For the entire week, everybody kept mentioning how they have to come back to Sarasota County.”

Visit Sarasota County, 301 N Cattlemen Rd., Suite 203, Sarasota, 34232

The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show at Myakka River State Park. Provided photo.

To learn more click here