Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/268408
Rowers, fast horses, faster cars, base- ball, circus acts — it is season for sure in Sarasota County. From the fifth annual Sarasota Invitational Regatta at Nathan Benderson Park to the Sarasota Exotic Car Fest in downtown Sarasota to an event hosted by the Baltimore Orioles for Spring Training season ticket-hold- ers, the past weekend was packed with events that drew residents and tourists. The regatta alone was expected to bring more than 7,000 rowers to the University Parkway area, organizers said. "We have 692 entries. Most regattas don't get anywhere near that," said regatta Co-Director Norm Thetford in a news release. "It's one of the largest regattas in the state, if not the country," he added. Competitors representing 52 clubs from as far away as Washington, Indiana and New York rowed head-to-head on the 400-acre lake against teams from four local organiza- tions: Sarasota County Rowing Club Masters, Sarasota Scullers, Sarasota Crew and Manatee Youth Rowing, the release pointed out. Staff Photographer Norman Schimmel made a tour of county sports and entertainment venues to capture a wide variety of the activ- ities on Feb. 22 and 23. % About 7,000 people were expected for the fifth annual Sarasota Invitational Regatta at Nathan Benderson Park Feb. 22-23, organizers said. All photos by Norman Schimmel SEASON MEANS A PLETHORA OF PEOPLE ENJOYING A VAST ARRAY OF ACTIVITIES THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! Staff Reports