A Birthday Party for a Fire Truck: 5 Things to Do This Weekend in Venice & North Port (Nov. 6–8)

Venice's very first fire truck is getting a birthday party this Saturday, cake and all. And on the same morning, the Saturday farmers market beside City Hall starts its busy season, when the vendor rows stretch out for the winter months.

That is the kind of weekend this is: small-town, a little nostalgic, and a good excuse to get out before the holiday rush starts. Here are five things I'd point a friend or neighbor to for Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8.

1. Old Betsy's Birthday Bash (Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Old Betsy is Venice's first fire truck, and Venice Heritage, Inc. is throwing her a birthday party as one of its centennial events. The free celebration runs Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old Betsy Museum, 343 Nassau Street South.

The organizers list music, food trucks, kids' activities, antique fire equipment on display and, of course, a birthday cake. With the city marking its 100th year, this is one of those only-in-Venice events that ties the town we live in today back to where it started.

2. The Venice Florida Farmers Market (Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

Before or after the party, walk over to the Venice Florida Farmers Market, held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the west side of City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave., in the parking lot and along Avenue Des Parques.

The market runs year-round, but the organizers say it expands each season from November through April with extra vendors. Expect produce, flowers, breads and pastries, local honey, soaps, jewelry and prepared foods, plus live music. Get there early if you want the best parking on the island.

3. Vets Rock the Gulf Coast at Centennial Park (Saturday evening)

With Veterans Day coming up on Wednesday, Saturday night brings a free concert called Vets Rock the Gulf Coast to Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Ave., the gazebo park in the middle of downtown. It is produced by GBack Media with local veteran musicians and entertainers, who will mix rock, country and classic favorites with stories from their years of service.

The listing gives the time as the sunset hours, so plan on early evening. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and grab dinner on Venice Avenue before or after.

4. Newcomer Day in North Port (Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon)

If you have recently moved to the area, or you have been here for years and still feel like you are figuring out what is available, North Port's Newcomer Day is worth an hour. It is a free, expo-style event with more than 60 community organizations, nonprofits, city departments and local businesses under one roof.

This time it is at a new location: the Morgan Family Community Center, 6207 W. Price Blvd., on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon. The city runs it with the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce. If North Port is on your radar, my North Port neighborhood page has homes for sale there, too.

5. Freaky Friday at Venice Theatre (all weekend)

Venice Theatre's production of Freaky Friday, the musical comedy based on the book and the Disney films, runs through Nov. 22. The story follows a mom and her teenage daughter who swap bodies the day before the mom's wedding.

Performances are at the Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave. W., at the north end of the rear parking lot, with parking in front of the building and under the bridge. Tickets are $40 for adults and seniors, $30 for college students and current educators, and $19 for youth. Check venicetheatre.org for this weekend's curtain times.

Looking Ahead in Wellen Park

Next week Downtown Wellen gets busy. The Wellen Park Night Market with Dueling Pianos is Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 9 p.m., and the third annual Wellen Park Wine Festival is Saturday, Nov. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m., with wines from more than 40 vintners. The Festival of the Arts follows on Nov. 21 and 22. I'll have more on those as they get closer.

Thinking About a Move This Season?

November is when a lot of people start their search here, whether it is a condo near the island or a home out in Wellen Park. You can search every home for sale, browse my Venice neighborhood page, or, if you already own here, see what your home is worth today.

Event details came from Venice Heritage, Inc. (veniceheritage.org), the Venice Florida Farmers Market listing on Marketspread, Venice Nights (veniceflnights.com), the City of North Port (northportfl.gov), Venice Theatre (venicetheatre.org), wellenpark.com and the Venice MainStreet community calendar, all checked Nov. 4, 2026. Times and details can change, so check with the organizer before you go.

I'm Scott Swonger, and I've lived in Gran Paradiso since 2017. I'm not a pushy realtor, just a neighbor who loves it here. Want more? Visit scottswongerrealtor.com or text me at 941-600-3534.

Scott Swonger, PA, REALTOR®
HomeSmart Residential & Commercial Realty