Weekly quiz · Week of Oct. 26, 2026

How Local Are You? Sarasota & Manatee Trivia

Ten questions about the place we live: circus money, a famous manatee, spring training and the beach where the sand is full of teeth. Tap an answer to lock it in. Every answer comes with a source, so you can win the argument at dinner too.

Round 1 score: 0 of 10 10 to go.

1. John Ringling's bayfront mansion in Sarasota is called Cà d'Zan. What does the name mean?

   Golden BayHouse of JohnCircus PalaceVenice by the Sea
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   House of John. It's Venetian dialect for "House of John." In standard Italian it would be Casa di Giovanni. It was finished in 1926. Source: Cà d'Zan (Wikipedia).

2. Manatee County was named for the manatee. What year was the county created?

   1821185518871921
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   1855. Sarasota County didn't split off from Manatee until 1921, so Manatee is the elder sibling and will remind you. Source: Manatee County, Florida (Wikipedia).

3. Who is Bradenton named after?

   A Confederate generalA Spanish explorerDr. Joseph Braden, a sugar planterA railroad baron's dog
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   Dr. Joseph Braden, a sugar planter. Dr. Joseph Braden ran a sugar plantation near the Manatee River and built a tabby-walled home, Braden Castle, in 1851. Source: Bradenton, Florida (Wikipedia).

4. Snooty, Bradenton's famous manatee at what's now The Bishop Museum, lived to what age?

   39526981
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   69. Snooty was born July 21, 1948, and died July 23, 2017, two days after turning 69. He'd lived at the museum's aquarium since 1949. Source: Snooty (Wikipedia).

5. Mote Marine Laboratory was founded in 1955 by shark scientist Eugenie Clark. What was it called until 1967?

   Cape Haze Marine LaboratorySarasota Shark InstituteCity Island AquariumGulf Coast Marine Station
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   Cape Haze Marine Laboratory. It started as Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Placida and took the Mote name in 1967. It's now on City Island in Sarasota. Source: Mote Marine Laboratory (Wikipedia).

6. Venice, Florida has a famous nickname. What is it?

   The Gondola CoastShark's Tooth Capital of the WorldThe Sunset CityLittle Italy of the Gulf
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   Shark's Tooth Capital of the World. Fossilized shark teeth wash up on its beaches all the time, and the city holds an annual Shark's Tooth Festival to celebrate. Source: Venice, Florida (Wikipedia).

7. LECOM Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates' spring home in Bradenton, used to be called what?

   McKechnie FieldClemente ParkManatee StadiumBraden River Field
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   McKechnie Field. It was named for Bradenton resident and Hall of Famer Bill McKechnie, who managed the Pirates to the 1925 World Series title. Source: LECOM Park (Wikipedia).

8. Which MLB team has held spring training at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota since 2010?

   Tampa Bay RaysCincinnati RedsBaltimore OriolesBoston Red Sox
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   Baltimore Orioles. Every March, Sarasota turns a little bit orange. Source: Ed Smith Stadium (Wikipedia).

9. De Soto National Memorial, west of Bradenton, marks Hernando de Soto's landing in what year?

   1492151315391565
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   1539. That's where the Manatee River meets Tampa Bay. About 80 percent of the memorial is mangroves, so bring bug spray. Source: De Soto National Memorial (Wikipedia).

10. Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's largest state parks. About how big is it?

    3,700 acres37,000 acres370,000 acresAbout the size of the UTC parking lot
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    37,000 acres. The Myakka was also Florida's first "Wild and Scenic River." The UTC parking lot only feels that big in December. Source: Myakka River State Park (Wikipedia).

Keep the local streak going

Headed to the beach tonight? Play Sunset Bingo and check whether there's red tide today. New in town or back for the season? Snowbirds, start here. Want more local legends gently fact-checked? Browse Myths.

Answers checked 2026-10-26. Spot a mistake? Tell us and we'll fix it and give you full bragging rights.