Get ready for an afternoon of local restaurants, wine, and community spirit.
The annual Lawn Party by the Bay, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key, is set to return in grand fashion next Saturday, December 6th, at Ken Thompson Park on City Island, promising to be one of the area’s most vibrant signature events.
This year’s party is generating palpable excitement, especially after a necessary hiatus. The event was canceled last year due to the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, but Kiwanis Club members are thrilled to bring it back.
“This year feels different,” said Michael Garey, past president of the Kiwanis Club and owner of Lazy Lobster. “Everyone seems ready to enjoy themselves, and we are happy to bring the event back after last year’s hiatus.”
A Feast for a Cause
The dining experience boasts an impressive lineup, featuring culinary delights from over 30 area restaurants—a testament to the community’s support. Attendees will be able to sample fine food, wines, beer, and other beverages while enjoying great music and the waterfront setting.
Adding to the fun, organizers are bringing back favorites like the art sales and, most notably, the 50/50 Raffle, which event organizers say is where much of the day’s excitement is focused.
$$$ The Excitement of the 50/50 Raffle
The Lawn Party’s famed 50/50 Raffle is back and is shaping up to be bigger than ever. With tickets priced at $50 each (or 5 for $200), the lucky Grand Prize winner is guaranteed a minimum take-home prize of $15,000 in cash! In the last 50/50, the winner walked away with over $22,000, creating massive buzz and supporting the cause.
The excitement doesn’t stop with the cash prize. The Second Prize is a fabulous getaway: a 3-day, 2-night stay for four at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel, plus VIP passes to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The raffle continues to be one of the most anticipated parts of the event, offering high-stakes fun for a worthy cause.
Major Impact for Local Children
While the food and raffle are star attractions, the true heart of the Lawn Party is its commitment to charity. All proceeds from the event benefit the Children’s Guardian Fund, a vital 501(c)(3) group dedicated to immediately responding to the needs of local children in foster care who have been removed from abusive or neglectful homes.
These children often arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. The fund steps in to provide essential, immediate support—from emergency essentials, cribs, beds, bedding, and clothing to ongoing support like tutoring—for 800 to 1000 children annually, filling gaps not met by state and local agencies.
The Kiwanis Club has a powerful track record of support. The 2023 Lawn Party generated an incredible $102,150 for the nonprofit. Even during the challenging year without the party, the club remained committed to their mission, donating an impressive $50,000 to the Children’s Guardian Fund in the spring of 2024.
Community Partners Step Up
The success of the event is bolstered by key community partners, notably The Resort at Longboat Key Club, which is serving as the main sponsor.
“The resort wanted to be the main sponsor because it aligns with the Longboat Key Club’s philosophy of supporting the community,” said Managing Director Rick Konsavage.
Mark your calendars for next Saturday afternoon to enjoy a signature Longboat Key event that promises great food, exciting prizes, and a powerful way to support the most vulnerable children in our area.
Lawn Party by the Bay: Essential Information
The Lawn Party by the Bay takes place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Ken Thompson Park on City Island (next to Mote Marine). The event runs from noon to 2:30 p.m. It is Longboat Key’s signature food-and-wine fundraiser, organized annually by the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key.
The Cause
Proceeds from the event benefit the Children’s Guardian Fund, a nonprofit that supports over 700 foster children in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. The fund provides children who have been removed from unsuitable homes with emergency essentials, tutoring, and crucial enrichment opportunities to help them achieve normalcy and academic success.
General Admission
A $75 ticket includes access to signature samplings from over 30 area restaurants, six curated wine tents, beer from Gold Coast Eagle, and live music throughout the afternoon. Tickets and raffle entries can be purchased online at LBKLawnParty.org
Reserved Tables
Guests can choose from two reserved table options located inside the Main Tent. A Neighborhood Table is $675, which reserves a table for 10 in the Main Tent, saving $75 off the cost of ten individual tickets. The Patron Table is $1,000, offering a round table for 10 with VIP seating, name recognition on the table, on a sponsor banner, and in the official printed program.
The 50/50 Raffle
The event features a major 50/50 Raffle. Tickets are $50 each, or 5 for $200. The Grand Prize is a guaranteed minimum of $15,000, though the winner of the last 50/50 took home over $22,000. The Second Prize is a 3-day, 2-night stay for four at one of six Universal Orlando Resort hotels, plus VIP passes to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. You do not need to attend the party to participate in the raffle.
Participating Restaurants
Attendees will enjoy signature bites from over 30 of the area’s best establishments, including:
Alma de España, Blue Dolphin Cafe, Café on St. Armands, Columbia Restaurant, Crab & Fin, Daiquiri Deck St. Armands Circle, Drift Kitchen & Bar, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Food+Beer, Gecko’s Grill & Pub, Harry’s Continental Kitchens, Island Time Bar & Grill, Kacey’s Seafood & More, La Norma Italian Restaurant, Lazy Lobster of Longboat, Lo’ Key Island Grille, Longboat Key Fire Rescue, Mean Deans Local Kitchen, Ocean Prime, Old Salty Dog, Pascone’s Ristorante, Pesto, Poppo’s Taqueria, The Resort at Longboat Key Club, Ringside at Cirque, Sara’s Italian Kitchen, Stonewood Grill & Tavern, Tsunami Sushi, Tyler’s Gourmet Ice Cream, Ventura’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Viento Kitchen.
