Sarasota's fourth annual Diverse Fest will expand across both buildings and outdoor areas at the Harvest campus Saturday, Oct. 10, after drawing an estimated 1,500 people last year.

The free, family-friendly festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3650 17th St. in Sarasota.

In previous years, the event was limited to one building. This year, organizers are expanding into a second building and outdoor areas to make room for vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, children's activities and new workshops, WWSB reported.

Dan Minor, president and CEO of The Harvest Sarasota, said the festival celebrates the diversity already present in the community.

"We look at Sarasota and diversity is not something that we need to manufacture here in Sarasota. It already exists … So Diverse Fest is really just about celebrating that," Minor told WWSB.

Event co-host Dr. Essence Deming-Rivers, a Sarasota psychologist and founder of the Deming-Rivers Social Club, said the event is intended to bring people with different backgrounds together.

"Our lives are actually enhanced when we're around people that are different than us," Deming-Rivers told WWSB.

New workshops join music and live performances

New this year are workshops designed to give participating organizations another way to connect with festivalgoers.

The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County will offer nonpartisan voter education focused on helping attendees understand what is on the ballot. The Sarasota Players will lead a musical theater dance class, while Crunch Fitness will offer a personal training and stretching session.

Live entertainment will continue throughout the day. The official festival lineup includes Azara Ballet, DJ Brianna Lee, singer Georgia Moore and the Harvest Band.

The Harvest Band plans to perform covers of artists including Shawn Mendes, Lady Gaga, Coldplay and Fleetwood Mac.

Diverse Fest organizers say the annual event was created in 2023 to bring together local nonprofits, LGBTQ+ groups, BIPOC-owned businesses, artists, performers and other community organizations.

Food trucks, vendors and children's activities fill campus

Families can expect arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, bounce houses, axe throwing and a dunk tank. Minor is among those scheduled to take a turn in the dunk tank.

The official vendor list includes organizations such as PFLAG Sarasota, Girls Inc. SRQ, the Humane Society of Sarasota County, the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County and The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.

Food vendors listed for this year's festival include Simply Greek by Wynberry, Flava Kingdom, Chasin Chicken, Hudson and Honey, Coffee Myrtle's Sweets and Treats and The Shish Kabob Factory.

The festival's expansion follows an estimated turnout of 1,500 people last year.

Harvest serves families across Sarasota and Manatee

Harvest House operates 380 beds through supportive and affordable housing and recovery programs across Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Its programs include emergency and supportive housing for families, addiction recovery, affordable housing, workforce development and food assistance. The nonprofit's food pantry serves more than 200 families each week.

Diverse Fest is free and open to the public. Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Harvest campus, 3650 17th St. in Sarasota. The festival runs until 4 p.m.