Block party celebrates 10 years of Main Street Lakewood Ranch

You may be familiar with the Music on Main, the monthly street party in Lakewood Ranch that feature a live band playing in the community's shopping and entertainment district.

If you like those events, you're probably going to love the Main Street 10th Anniversary Block Party that's set for this Friday evening.

"I like to say that it's like Music on Main on steroids," said Amanda Zipperer, the property manager for Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

The event celebrates the 10th anniversary of Main Street (the actual anniversary date was in September) and the 10th anniversary of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, which serves pretty much the same function as a chamber of commerce for the community.

So, while Music on Main events normally feature just a live band and a DJ, this Friday's block party will also feature tables with representatives from dozens of business from around Lakewood Ranch.

Dozens of Lakewood Ranch businesses will have booths selling food and beverages, and the shops and restaurants of Main Street will be open for business as well.

The music comes from Shaman, a popular area band that plays pop, rock 'n roll, Top 40 and disco. Shaman has played at Music on Main in the past, and recently performed at the Taste of Manatee.

Besides Main Street and the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities is also a partner in the block party. That group hosts regular Club Days to introduce residents and visitors to the dozens of clubs that are active in Lakewood Ranch. Club Day concludes with the Block Party, so clubs involved with everything from adult soccer and fishing to history and politics will have tables at Friday's events.

There's also a kids zone and other activities, and it's all free and open to the public.

Details: 6-p.m. Oct. 16, Main Street, Lakewood Ranch. Admission: Free. Information: 941-757-1664, lwrba.org.

Marty Clear, features writer/columnist, can be reached at 941-708-7919. Follow twitter.com/martinclear.

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 5:28 PM with the headline "Block party celebrates 10 years of Main Street Lakewood Ranch ."