First Sarasota Church Presents First-Ever Good Friday in Payne Park

March 22, 2024 – Sarasota

On Good Friday, March 29, First Sarasota – The Downtown Baptist Church will present a free community event in Payne Park. The event will feature an inspirational message and high wire walk from world-famous wire walker Nik Wallenda, Good Friday service, food stations, a helicopter dropping thousands of candy-filled Easter eggs, inflatables and face painting for kids, live music, and more.

This is the first-ever community-wide Good Friday event for First Sarasota, one that the event organizers hope will become an annual tradition. A church leader and friend of Wallenda’s invited him to perform; the hometown hero and international superstar enthusiastically accepted. In addition to his high wire walk, Wallenda will share his personal faith journey.

“For over a century, our church has been sharing Jesus in our beautiful city and beyond. As our team was dreaming and planning Easter weekend, someone mentioned that it would be great to have a Good Friday gathering in beautiful Payne Park,” said Senior Pastor Dr. John Cross. “Easter’s message of God’s love is truly Good News, and we’re committed to sharing it with as many as possible!”

With 11 Guinness World Records and a list of never-before-seen death-defying feats, Nik Wallenda – a 7th-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas family of aerialists – has written his name in history as the “King of the High Wire.” He has performed live in every state in the U.S. and numerous locations worldwide. He has garnered the support of tens of millions of live viewers in network television specials on ABC, The Discovery Channel, and others. From crossing the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls to walking blindfolded between two towers in Chicago, Ill., he personifies the Wallenda family legacy, with his personal tagline, “Never Give Up!” He is also well-known for his deep Christian faith.

The timeline for the event is as follows:

• 5:30 p.m.: free food, inflatables, face painting
• 6:30 p.m.: helicopter Easter egg drop and hunt
• 7 p.m.: Good Friday service featuring Nik Wallenda and high wire walk

Takes place on Friday, March 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m., in Payne Park (2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota). Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. For more information about the event, visit firstsarasota.org/good-friday.