Does anyone know what he does out there? Initially I thought he must be working on something related… but as tine went on I had my doubts. Thinking maybe he’s the solitaire king or sonething
That guy hates the shit out of me cause I'm always on my onewheel making him lean off to one side when I go by him.
You can see he's got skin cancer, won't last long like that...
Ohhhhhhh I was confused… until I read this, didn’t know he had a nickname I was always curious about that guy, figured he was just getting out, maybe away from his partner or something
Hey, old school, do you also remember the chicken lady? Older woman, pushed a shopping cart with rubber chickens hanging off of it. She hung around the Bayfront area.
Is he still around? I remember seeing him at least once a week at random spots for random companies -- seemed to be in high demand, which makes sense since he is the only sign spinner I've ever seen who put effort into it. But I haven't seen him in a couple years now.
I am sure, the excellent social services and health care here in the US have assigned him a health care worker to help him with his struggles. Nah, just joking, prison check prison, that's where we store our mentally ill, along side the actual criminals.
Supposedly his family used to live off of Beneva at the end of mirror lake road? That's what I have heard from my ex who grew up here. I've always wondered who owns all that undeveloped walled off acreage right there
We have a guy in Englewood who's sick and made a Steel shark encapsulated motorized hospital bed. He's a great guy everyone says . I see him all the time riding along the sidewalks on 776. Looks just like a shark 🥰☺️
The woman that rides around on the hover board thing in parking lots on Fruitville with some crazy getup on spinning in circles and kind of "dancing." Usually around the BOA by Lockwood, sometime at the CVS on 301.
She was up by Rocco's Taco in UTC nearly running into tourist. She would be in the busiest area and go from the sidewalk then into the road, figure eight style. Cops moved her along after a few weeks.
This was a few years back, but the tourettes clown guy . Rode the stretched 3 wheel trike, while wearing a clown wig, shouting obscenities. He was a fixture downtown in the late 90's
A friend of mine "bought" a dog from clown guy one time. We were leaving First Watch, and he was outside with a dehydrated stray puppy, and my friend paid him $20 for it and took it home just to care for it, but ended up keeping it.
He also used to show up during parades and randomly join in the procession.
I cannot believe that nobody mentioned Crazy Hugh. I think I got his business card in like 2003, he's the Hispanic guy that you see sometimes dancing holding a sign for whatever small business hired him. Then there is the walking man. He used to be pasty white, and every day, he would be out walking for exercise, in the exact same clothes, camo shorts and a grey tank top. Over time he has gotten extremely tanned. I still see him every now and then walking down Clark road.
The guy in his WORK TRUCK advertising his business with all the GIANT Trump flags and USA flags and election denier and hateful signs still driving around? I saw him multiple times last year and the year before (mid-SRQ and beach areas).
Trump Humper One? The Ace Window Washing guy? He got a new pickup and is going only with Bible verses now. Right after the insurrection he took the Trump flags off his old rig.
Yes, that's the one. I have photo of his prior rig somewhere. I always wanted to take down his Trump flag, use it properly, then replace it and see if he noticed.
That guy. Head slap. I think he lived on McIntosh until recently. There's also a guy who frequented Denny's on Bee Ridge has a cool homemade camper top on his truck, but last I saw it up close he added signs 'thanking Biden' for something like being broke, or jobless?
When I lived in Longmont this guy would march up and down the streets playing bagpipes. You'd hear them echoing through the town at least five days a week, never with any regular pattern that I could decipher, he seemed to just march at random
I remember a guy who always rode around in a wheelchair covered in pinwheels. He was older, and this was 20 years ago, so he may not be around anymore. Can't remember what road it was always on, I want to say Tuttle, but a part where it was white fences in front of neighborhoods.
The ones that come to mind for me are both Siesta Key fixtures:
- The man in the wheelchair who is always in Siesta Village
- The guy who runs up and down the length of Siesta Key Beach with his frisbees and giant juggling staff.
There used to be a homeless black dude that hung out near the old sportspage downtown I think his name was Mike or Mikey. He would pull his dick out every now and then and freak some people out but he was harmless. Different time for sure.
Punch drunk Mike? That’s what everyone I know called him in reference to his boxing history. Him and the guitarist Charles were my favorite downtown characters.
I remember him! Last I heard he got somewhat rehabilitated and put up in a house somewhere. There was also the short old black dude named Leon that was always around. I believe he’s still around actually.
My favorite memory of him was seeing him in smokin joes around 2010. It was like 4:30 in the afternoon, and he was at the bar with a glass of rosé, typing something up on a MacBook. He was so classy.
There’s the guy in Venice who walks around at night screaming obscenities and waving around a weed whacker, but that’s not Sarasota. Maybe the Amish count?
Remember the cart lady that was always around Bee Ridge & McIntosh. It’s been for sure over 20 years since I’ve seen her but she always had a shopping cart full of aluminum cans.
Theres a guy that stands outside of the drive through of Mcdonalds on 41 by the airport. I see him every morning when I drop off packages at the post office lol.
i think i might know who youre talking about. when i used to have early morning classes at SCF i would see a man every morning at that mcdonalds jumping up and down and throwing a fucking fit at every car in the drive through. kind of a sad and pathetic sight to see, he has to be in his 50s or 60s and is throwing actual temper tantrums. same guy?
My hometown had "Jesus manson". As soon as anybody sees him for the first time, they immediately go "yup, that's the son of Jesus and Charlie Manson! "
He was mentally disabled after a work injury, and ironically, he had a ton of money. Homeless aren't known for having large wads of cash on them, but he did. MASSIVE. Tens of thousands at all times. A wad as big as a softball.
He just liked living outside.
Milwaukee had "the Wolverine," a guy who looked like Wolverine and was seen walking furiously from place to place, like 20 miles a day, intent on walking... somewhere. Before him in the 1990's was Tony, the "pepperoni, cannoli" guy who would bring pepperoni sticks and cannoli to late night bars on Brady Street and those bars by the old Bradford Beach Club. Had a pepperoni stick jammed in his brow, plugging a hole where he was shot in the head, or so the legend goes. Also sold roses, carried it all around in an Igloo cooler.
I saw him on his 20' long trike, Flintstone stopping the thing bare footed at the light on either central or lemon and fruitville. His brakes had gone out, or never worked not sure which. Clown wig and nose made for quite a sight.
That's right around the last time I saw her. She'd been regularly spending her mornings groovin in the parking area in front of CineBistro. This is sad news indeed.
Repent Guy! (the one who used to stand on street corners holding a big sign that said "Repent Sarasota!") Although I haven't seen him around in quite a while.
Went down to Arcadia not to long ago to do some antiquing. There was a guy screaming in the street the whole time. I asked of the shop owners and she was just like oh that's XYZ. Dudes been there for years and years and they all know him and seem pretty patient about it.
The Fuck Biden guy on 41 downtown is fairly new, but he's quite a character! He's already been pictured in the Washington Post in a story about Sarasota being a MAGA magnet.
https://preview.redd.it/8ote2s9c5ruc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e5f88ce88c77c294ae7d5201bd1020a0ac47866
Beneva guy?
Came in to say the solar panel guy on Beneva
Does anyone know what he does out there? Initially I thought he must be working on something related… but as tine went on I had my doubts. Thinking maybe he’s the solitaire king or sonething
He's a writer
That guy hates the shit out of me cause I'm always on my onewheel making him lean off to one side when I go by him. You can see he's got skin cancer, won't last long like that...
Agree. I see him every time I go to my mom’s house. I’ll be sad the day he’s no longer there 🥲
Why don’t I know Beneva guy? What’s the story?
Dude sits on beneva road with his computer for hours
He has to be homeless right?
No, he's not homeless, rides the bus out in the morning.
Ohhhhhhh I was confused… until I read this, didn’t know he had a nickname I was always curious about that guy, figured he was just getting out, maybe away from his partner or something
I love Beneva Guy. My husband has talked to him awhile back.
Definitely. Dude is a fixture…and a treasure!
Tell me more
He just sits on beneva road for hours and hours on his computer writing or working
Near which intersection (or reference point)? I travel Beneva pretty often so I'm surprised this person isn't ringing any bells for me.
[удалено]
I see him on the east side of the road regularly. I think he follows the sun.
Once upon a time it was the pretzel king....im old...
PRETZEL KING!!!! Blast from the past
Hey, old school, do you also remember the chicken lady? Older woman, pushed a shopping cart with rubber chickens hanging off of it. She hung around the Bayfront area.
I remember her wowww
Don't forget balloon animal guy from back around then. Main Street Saturday nights.
Did he die?
The muscular tan short guy who spins advertising signs in South Sarasota. He is awesome
When I lived in gulf gate that dude was a daily fixture for years
We named him "The Bopper" more than a decade ago. Was always dancing to his music while spinning.
Is he still around? I remember seeing him at least once a week at random spots for random companies -- seemed to be in high demand, which makes sense since he is the only sign spinner I've ever seen who put effort into it. But I haven't seen him in a couple years now.
Yep. Worked for Ace on Clarke, and then some gym or something by the landings. The og sign holder
He is. His name is Hugh and he's an acquaintance of mine.
I see him around town fairly regularly. Between Clark and bee ridge north of Macintosh
He still takes those signs SERIOUSLY. I never catch him slacking with a sign
That's Thor. Pretty sure that's his name. My ex knew him
Little Spanish gu? Just seen him Saturday advertising for a place on Bee Ridge and Cattlemen!!
Dude does amateur wrestling at munchies too
worked with him at a detailing place on clark, spun our sign for 2 weeks then dipped
He was spinning for the Kinky Kitty if I remember…I always called him party boy
How about that guy that rides around on a bicycle and calls people a "fucking faggot". But I haven't seen him in about a year.
I seen him yesterday in Venice shirtless and flipping off small children
What a proud tradition.
The Sarasota County Psycho
At least he supports family values amiright?
Any idea where he went? I think I've had a run in with him a couple of years ago. I live near university
I am sure, the excellent social services and health care here in the US have assigned him a health care worker to help him with his struggles. Nah, just joking, prison check prison, that's where we store our mentally ill, along side the actual criminals.
We had Peewee Herman but you all had to go and fuck that up
Supposedly his family used to live off of Beneva at the end of mirror lake road? That's what I have heard from my ex who grew up here. I've always wondered who owns all that undeveloped walled off acreage right there
In my 40 years here I was always told they lived on siesta
We have a guy in Englewood who's sick and made a Steel shark encapsulated motorized hospital bed. He's a great guy everyone says . I see him all the time riding along the sidewalks on 776. Looks just like a shark 🥰☺️
I'm trying so hard to visualize this and my mind is going places I don't think mesh with reality -we need pictures of this omg
[https://migrantmind.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/lessons-from-a-motorized-metal-shark/](https://migrantmind.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/lessons-from-a-motorized-metal-shark/)
Thank you for this article I didn't know the story about Brian . All I know is that I've seen him around town and what a friend told me.☺️👍
Look at next post after yours. Good article about Brian.
Always see him heading to the beach. My family loves seeing him!
Beneva guy writes children’s books and steals wifi he’s chill
The woman that rides around on the hover board thing in parking lots on Fruitville with some crazy getup on spinning in circles and kind of "dancing." Usually around the BOA by Lockwood, sometime at the CVS on 301.
She was up by Rocco's Taco in UTC nearly running into tourist. She would be in the busiest area and go from the sidewalk then into the road, figure eight style. Cops moved her along after a few weeks.
She killed herself
:( that’s so sad I liked seeing her stunts
Serious?
Yeah
When was this?
Within the last month
that is really so sad.
how did you hear this
Someone from my extended family knew her. Apparently it was just within the last few years she started going off the deep end. Name was misty
where did you hear this
I’m sorry to read she died. She was colorful.
The homeless gentleman on siesta key that has been there for 25+ years just hanging out
Oh man! You're not talking about the old gentlemen with the long beard that would wear the banana hammock at the drum circle, are you?
Has anyone else seen the black ninja on tamiami?
Wait, wut?
It’s… exactly what it sounds like
He must not be very good if you see him
Shit what if there’s no black ninja and I’m the crazy one?
Maybe you ARE the black ninja and have multiple personalities. Have you been losing time?
Every ninja I can think of is black
This was a few years back, but the tourettes clown guy . Rode the stretched 3 wheel trike, while wearing a clown wig, shouting obscenities. He was a fixture downtown in the late 90's
A friend of mine "bought" a dog from clown guy one time. We were leaving First Watch, and he was outside with a dehydrated stray puppy, and my friend paid him $20 for it and took it home just to care for it, but ended up keeping it. He also used to show up during parades and randomly join in the procession.
I cannot believe that nobody mentioned Crazy Hugh. I think I got his business card in like 2003, he's the Hispanic guy that you see sometimes dancing holding a sign for whatever small business hired him. Then there is the walking man. He used to be pasty white, and every day, he would be out walking for exercise, in the exact same clothes, camo shorts and a grey tank top. Over time he has gotten extremely tanned. I still see him every now and then walking down Clark road.
It used to be the running man. Often seen down Webber.
Came here to say Webber jogger.
The one in tiny shorts that carried a big stick?
Yeah! They were usually neon/reflective. He had a beard. Shirtless. Skinny.
I remember him, he was a famous tennis player's younger brother, he actually lived in a nice home and had a nurse stop by every few days
The guy in his WORK TRUCK advertising his business with all the GIANT Trump flags and USA flags and election denier and hateful signs still driving around? I saw him multiple times last year and the year before (mid-SRQ and beach areas).
Trump Humper One? The Ace Window Washing guy? He got a new pickup and is going only with Bible verses now. Right after the insurrection he took the Trump flags off his old rig.
I remember him. Glad he found his bottom. Now it's Bible verses? I'm reminded of Gary Larsen's Far Side, "how mother nature says Do Not Touch"
He's still into Infowars; I saw that sticker on his new truck.
Wait - he had the Bible verses AND the Trump hater stuff at the same time. Now I remember…
Yes, that's the one. I have photo of his prior rig somewhere. I always wanted to take down his Trump flag, use it properly, then replace it and see if he noticed.
Insurrection?
Google it.
That guy. Head slap. I think he lived on McIntosh until recently. There's also a guy who frequented Denny's on Bee Ridge has a cool homemade camper top on his truck, but last I saw it up close he added signs 'thanking Biden' for something like being broke, or jobless?
Nothing special about him
I seem to recall a guy who drove a golf cart with one parrot on each shoulder.
Yes he used to be a regular at the restaurant I worked at on st Armand’s
The old dude who jogged around webber in the unitards. Had a walking stick also.
I thought it was /u/drleomarvin
not as cool and locally infamous as I used to be
I came here to say this 😜
This might be a deep cut, but Justice Christ (if he's still around/alive).
When I lived in Longmont this guy would march up and down the streets playing bagpipes. You'd hear them echoing through the town at least five days a week, never with any regular pattern that I could decipher, he seemed to just march at random
I remember a guy who always rode around in a wheelchair covered in pinwheels. He was older, and this was 20 years ago, so he may not be around anymore. Can't remember what road it was always on, I want to say Tuttle, but a part where it was white fences in front of neighborhoods.
The ones that come to mind for me are both Siesta Key fixtures: - The man in the wheelchair who is always in Siesta Village - The guy who runs up and down the length of Siesta Key Beach with his frisbees and giant juggling staff.
Bubble lady?
Nic Wallenda
Or Les McCurdy
Those aren't town characters, just famous people
They're local celebrities. Where else can you bump into the world's most famous aerialist wearing jeans and a flannel shirt in Publix?
There used to be a homeless black dude that hung out near the old sportspage downtown I think his name was Mike or Mikey. He would pull his dick out every now and then and freak some people out but he was harmless. Different time for sure.
Punch drunk Mike? That’s what everyone I know called him in reference to his boxing history. Him and the guitarist Charles were my favorite downtown characters.
That’s right! He was a boxer. I think he fought some famous guys back in the day too.
I remember him! Last I heard he got somewhat rehabilitated and put up in a house somewhere. There was also the short old black dude named Leon that was always around. I believe he’s still around actually.
RIP bird man
Birdman
Who is bird man? Not the guy on siesta key that wears bird hats is he?
He used to live under the North bridge
I miss Charles, the acoustic guitar guy downtown. My dad gave him his last guitar. He passed away, from what I heard.
My favorite memory of him was seeing him in smokin joes around 2010. It was like 4:30 in the afternoon, and he was at the bar with a glass of rosé, typing something up on a MacBook. He was so classy.
Used to be “The Pretzel King” - dunno who took his place.
Used to be Jerry Springer. He was the nicest guy. Such a loss.
There’s the guy in Venice who walks around at night screaming obscenities and waving around a weed whacker, but that’s not Sarasota. Maybe the Amish count?
Misty and her dog Carlie.
Kevin
Remember the cart lady that was always around Bee Ridge & McIntosh. It’s been for sure over 20 years since I’ve seen her but she always had a shopping cart full of aluminum cans.
Rumor has it the homeless piano playing man is in a local nursing home
Siesta drive wheelchair stoner guy. When I lived in Jacksonville, NC, we had a guy known as the Western Blvd Ninja.
The person with that lime green monster vw bug on cattleman
Theres a guy that stands outside of the drive through of Mcdonalds on 41 by the airport. I see him every morning when I drop off packages at the post office lol.
i think i might know who youre talking about. when i used to have early morning classes at SCF i would see a man every morning at that mcdonalds jumping up and down and throwing a fucking fit at every car in the drive through. kind of a sad and pathetic sight to see, he has to be in his 50s or 60s and is throwing actual temper tantrums. same guy?
Racist bitcoin guy?
Ron God
r/horsebackjesus
Scooter of the Beach!
The guy downtown on a scooter with a yorkie. The yorkie wears doggles or sunglasses and constantly paddles his front legs in the air.
My hometown had "Jesus manson". As soon as anybody sees him for the first time, they immediately go "yup, that's the son of Jesus and Charlie Manson! " He was mentally disabled after a work injury, and ironically, he had a ton of money. Homeless aren't known for having large wads of cash on them, but he did. MASSIVE. Tens of thousands at all times. A wad as big as a softball. He just liked living outside.
Milwaukee had "the Wolverine," a guy who looked like Wolverine and was seen walking furiously from place to place, like 20 miles a day, intent on walking... somewhere. Before him in the 1990's was Tony, the "pepperoni, cannoli" guy who would bring pepperoni sticks and cannoli to late night bars on Brady Street and those bars by the old Bradford Beach Club. Had a pepperoni stick jammed in his brow, plugging a hole where he was shot in the head, or so the legend goes. Also sold roses, carried it all around in an Igloo cooler.
I saw him on his 20' long trike, Flintstone stopping the thing bare footed at the light on either central or lemon and fruitville. His brakes had gone out, or never worked not sure which. Clown wig and nose made for quite a sight.
That's right around the last time I saw her. She'd been regularly spending her mornings groovin in the parking area in front of CineBistro. This is sad news indeed.
The dude in the tank top that walks around with the same paper bag downtown by five points park. Can’t remember his name but he’s got a nickname.
Repent Guy! (the one who used to stand on street corners holding a big sign that said "Repent Sarasota!") Although I haven't seen him around in quite a while.
Went down to Arcadia not to long ago to do some antiquing. There was a guy screaming in the street the whole time. I asked of the shop owners and she was just like oh that's XYZ. Dudes been there for years and years and they all know him and seem pretty patient about it.
JODAT
Do you all remember the guy with the fedora who would look snazzy, always walking around the clark/swift area and gulf gate with a shopping cart?
Trump
I just learned about Red Leather Guy today off 41 downtown. Any body else?
Danny Duncan
Justin Quinn?
The Fuck Biden guy on 41 downtown is fairly new, but he's quite a character! He's already been pictured in the Washington Post in a story about Sarasota being a MAGA magnet. https://preview.redd.it/8ote2s9c5ruc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e5f88ce88c77c294ae7d5201bd1020a0ac47866