Fall is upon us--that still warm and sunny Sarasota season that follows summer. While temperatures may cool slightly, autumn activities are heating up. Beaching and boating are still in order, but our events calendar provides season-specific ways for you to fall in love with Sarasota this fall.

Fall Festivals and Fairs

The Ringling International Arts Festival (RIAF) is back for a third year, celebrating visual art, theatre, dance and music from October 11-16, 2011. The six day event, presented by the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the Baryshnikov Arts Center of New York, will take place on the gardens and in the galleries and theaters of one of Sarasota's most beloved institutions, the Ringling Museum.

Performances and exhibits will include those by Company Stefanie Batten Bland, Doug Elkins & Friends, Soledad Villamil and Collin Dunne in the dance realm, the Wooster Group in theatre, the Valerie Gillespie Ensemble, Piano Foursome, Brooklyn Rider, Meklit Hadero and Tony Castellano in music and the exhibits "Running Away to Join the Circus," "Repaying Our Debt to John and Mable Ringling" and "When Art Refuses to Stand Still and Be Quiet" in visual arts.

Admission to RIAF includes daily entry to the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum and the Ca' d'Zan, as well as the festival lectures, tours and performances, Jazz Sunsets, Family FunFest, the Festival Forum, an art soiree and more.

For tickets and more information, call (941) 360-7399 or (800) 660-4278 or visit www.ringlingartsfestival.org.

Surrounding the excitement of the Ringling International Arts Festival is the second annual Festival sARTée (pronounced sar-TAY), which showcases the arts and culture of Sarasota County and Manatee County. Events and exhibits in the areas of visual art, dance, theatre, music, film and even food will take place from October 8-23, 2011 - you won't want to miss it!  Visit www.sartee.com to learn more.

Thirty Days of Discovery is also back! The entire month of September, take advantage of two-for-one admissions at the following area attractions: G.WIZ The Hands-On Science Museum, Historic Spanish Point, Mote Aquarium, the Ringling Museum of Art and the South Florida Museum. Simply print the promotional coupon from www.30daysofdiscovery.com and present it when you arrive at the attraction. For more information, click here.

The third annual Downtown Venice Labor Day Weekend Craft Festival will kick off the season September 3-4, 2011 in South County. The free event will take place on Miami Avenue in downtown Venice from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. The festival features some of the country's best artists and crafters, selling jewelry, photography, items for children and pets and more. The event will also feature a Green Market with plants, orchids and homemade soaps. For more information, visit www.artfestival.com.

The 55th Annual Pioneer Days Parade and Festival takes place in Olde Englewood, beginning at 9 a.m. on September 5, 2011. The 2011 theme is "The Spirit of Englewood" and, in true American fashion, there will be good ol‘ watermelon and pie eating contests, plus a Fish-A-Thon, a Little Miss/Mr. Englewood competition, a cardboard boat race and even beard contests. For more information, visit www.englewoodpioneerdays.com.

On the weekend of October 15-16, 2011, take in the 17th Annual Downtown Sarasota Art & Craft Festival. Admission is free and the event runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m both days. The event is beloved by Sarasotans and draws large crowds of art lovers every year. In addition to fine arts, crafts, clothing and more, there will be a Green Market. For more information, visit www.artfestival.com.

The 21st Annual Gettel Sarasota Blues Festival will open its gates at 11 a.m. on November 5, 2011. Thousands of Sarasota music fans gather each year at Ed Smith Stadium to watch greats such as Gregg Allman and the Fabulous Thunderbirds sing the blues. To get a preview of this year's performances, as well as more information, visit www.sarasotabluesfest.com/2011.

The 8th Annual Sarasota Medieval Fair, taking place at the Sarasota Fairgrounds the weekends of November 12-13, 2011 and November 19-20, 2011 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., will provide all sorts of fun and games, from a human chess tournament to jousting to rides. Fair food will feature turkey legs and beer. Other highlights will include over a hundred shops, as well as Celtic music for further entertainment. Admission is $16.95 for adults, $14.95 for students and seniors, $8.95 for kids and free for kids under 4. Fair packages are also available. For more information, visit www.sarasotamedievalfair.com.

Sarasota's Special Events

The SRQ Hot List Event really heats things up this fall. Taking place from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. on October 1, 2011 at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, SRQ Magazine celebrates Sarasota's best food, fashion, places and people highlighted in the magazine's annual Hot List issue. Visit www.srqmag.com.

K.D. Lang and the Siss Boom Bang perform at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on October 9, 2011. For more information, visit www.vanwezel.org.

The Garden Music Series at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens also kicks off on October 9, 2011. The event will offer food and drinks, music and beautiful views. Garden music concerts are included in regular Selby Gardens admission.  Visit www.selby.org for the schedule.

On October 14, 2011 from 6-10 p.m. in downtown Sarasota, experience the Afterglow, where art meets food. Downtown restaurants and artists, musicians and dancers will present art, performances and tastings on Lemon Ave. The cost is $25. Visit www.downtownsrq.com.

ArtSlam will take place in downtown Bradenton on October 15, 2011. The free event will bring Bradenton's art into the street, allowing visitors to experience the artists' creativity in a new, hands-on way. The event will showcase various types of artists who will create art directly in front of the crowd all day. Food and beverages will be available from the Farmer's Market and local taverns and restaurants while the entire day is documented via social media outlets. There will be 12 teams competing to be the most creative and, while families can create together early in the day, the adults will further the creative process and choose the winning team in the evening. Visit www.realizebradenton.com for details.

Halloween

One of the most exciting times of the year is just around the corner and Sarasota has a handful of spooky surprises up its sleeve.

The Zombie Pub Crawl will take place on October 22, 2011 at the bars and pubs in the Gulf Gate neighborhood of Sarasota. Goodies, drinking and undead fun will ensue. Visit www.sarasotazombiepubcrawl.com for more information.

The Venice Halloween Parade takes place on October 29, 2011 at 4 p.m. in Centennial Park. The event features a costumed parade and trick-or-treating for families. Visit www.venicemainstreet.com.

The annual Sarasota Pumpkin Festival will take place from October 28-30, 2011 (from noon to 10 p.m.) at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds. Entrance for adults is $5 and kids 10 and under get in free. Visit www.sarasotapumpkinfestival.com.

On October 31, 2011, go trick-or-treating at the shops on the circle and see a "Thriller" performance at Fright Night on St. Armands. The event begins at 6 p.m. Visit www.starmandscircleassoc.com.

Whether you're seeking a fright or a delight this fall, Sarasota has plenty in store for you.

Fall is here-and while changing leaves and colder temperatures aren't typical signs of the changing season in sunny Sarasota, our jam-packed events calendar sure is! With everything from concerts to pumpkins, Sarasota is going to keep you busy this season.