Countdown to Downtown

Buzzing with activity, Wellen Park residents have already embraced the fun-loving, active lifestyle cultivated inside each of our neighborhoods, at games and events at CoolToday Park, and while grabbing  coffee or a glass of wine with family and friends at the café adjacent to the Wellen Park Welcome Center. With construction underway on Downtown Wellen, and it serving as the beating heart of this soulful community, it seems only fitting to pack the schedule with an event series offering a literal taste, feel and vision of what’s coming, the Countdown to Downtown.

Starting in October, the 18-month long “Countdown to Downtown” celebration will include a variety of enticing experiences designed to provide something for all of our unique interests. 

“These events will inspire, excite and energize participants. Through each event, attendees will get another preview of what they can expect to enjoy every day in Downtown Wellen once it opens.” – Rick Severance, President of Wellen Park.

For the Love of Our Arts Cocktail Reception

Looking for an opportunity to connect with fellow art lovers? We’ll be kicking things off this month with a celebration of creativity, food, and friendship to launch our new partnership with the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. Join us for a cocktail reception in our Welcome Center to learn more about our partnership and how it will connect art lovers to the unique arts and cultural experiences of our greater community, including more programming closer to home.  RSVP here. 

ICYMI: the Wellen Park Digs Art Voting Contest launches soon. Stop by the Welcome Center to cast your ballot and participate in selecting the winning painted shovel.

Fitness Fanatics Unite

As a place where wellness thrives, a Countdown to Downtown wouldn’t be complete without meetups catered for our walking, running, and biking enthusiasts. Join your neighbors for your daily dose of exercise along the numerous trails and pathways followed by a beverage or two at the Welcome Center. Yes, it’s totally acceptable to enjoy a bubbly post exercise while watching a Wellen Park sunset!

Buzzing for Books

Snuggle up with a cup of coffee and a great book from Sarasota County Library System and partake in Wellen Park’s book club buzz events. Engage in rich dialogue with friendly neighbors and share opinions on the latest beach read to historical nonfiction to everything in between. 

Cocktails, Culinary & Culture

From cocktail making classes to healthy culinary experiences, these events allow you to imagine more of what’s to come to the dining scene in Downtown Wellen. Couple that with cultural experiences, such as painting while wine sipping, and there is never a shortage of good times.

Never Stop Learning

More interested in expanding your mind? As a part of our event series, we’ll be partnering with local education institutions, like the State College of Florida, to present a series of lectures that inspire and intrigue.

The Countdown to Downtown events will take place in and around the Wellen Park Welcome Center, located at 12275 Mercado Drive, Venice. Stay tuned to our social channels for event announcements and details. We’ll also post all events on our website’s events page so check back often for new events. 

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