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Venice Farmers Market, Saturday 8 AM-1 PM on the west side of Venice City Hall (401 West Venice Avenue): produce, seafood, baked goods, artisan crafts, and live music, year round.

Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market, Saturday 7 AM-1 PM at Lemon Avenue and Main Street: 70-plus vendors with local produce, prepared foods, and live music, rain or shine.

Bradenton Public Market, Saturday 9 AM-2 PM on Old Main Street at 12th Street West: the downtown market for produce, crafts, and local goods, hosted by the Manatee Chamber.

Sun Fiesta, Venice’s beloved October beach festival, runs Friday October 16 through Sunday October 18 around Venice Beach and downtown: carnival rides, food vendors, live music, and family fun.

The 30th anniversary Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival takes over Five Points Park on Saturday October 17: juried artists, live music, and free wandering.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac plays the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Saturday October 17, and The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA follows on Sunday October 18 at 7 PM.

The Sarasota Art Museum opens its new season Sunday October 18 with Presence: The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder.

The Bay’s One Park FOUR All 4th anniversary celebration runs through November 1 with 70-plus free events, and Edelweiss’s 14th annual Oktoberfest continues in the Bradenton area through October 25.

Atlantic hurricane season still runs through November 30: this is the month to review your wind and flood coverage and confirm your evacuation zone before the season winds down.

Gulf water temperatures still sit near 80 degrees, so the beach season is far from over. October is one of the best windows of the year for uncrowded sand and warm swimming.

Sea turtle nesting wraps up at the end of October: keep giving marked nests space and keep beach lights dim after dark.

Many attractions and restaurants shift their hours in October, especially on weekdays. Check before you go.

Florida has no state income tax. If you just moved, ask your employer to update withholding to Florida to put that money back in your pocket immediately.

Register your vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency at the county tax collector office. Bring proof of insurance, your previous title, and your new address.

October is the classic window to negotiate an annual lease before the winter snowbird flow; landlords often offer move-in specials this month.

If this is your first year in Florida, file for the homestead exemption with the county property appraiser by March 1 to cap future assessment growth.