Sarasota’s Good Friday Main Street Pilgrimage to Draw 1,000 Participants for 24th Annual Stations of the Cross

Thousands are expected to gather in downtown Sarasota on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, for the 24th annual Stations of the Cross Pilgrimage, a powerful community tradition that honors the final journey of Jesus Christ. Hosted by Church of the Redeemer in partnership with the Sarasota Ministerial Association, the walk down Main Street is a moving public expression of unity and faith, drawing over 1,000 participants from across the region.

This year’s pilgrimage will feature 27 ministers representing 14 Christian denominations and over 100 congregations. Four denominational leaders will be in attendance, including The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas F. Scharf, VI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida. Local civic leaders, including Sarasota City Commissioner Kyle Battie and Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight, will help lead the first station.

Pilgrims will begin gathering at 7:00 a.m. outside Regal Hollywood Cinemas (1993 Main St., just off U.S. 301), with the walk beginning promptly at 7:20 a.m. Participants will follow a route through downtown Sarasota, stopping at 14 designated locations representing the Biblical stations that mark Christ’s journey to crucifixion. Each station includes scripture readings, prayers, and reflections drawn from a printed service booklet provided to attendees.

The procession will conclude around 8:30 a.m. at Church of the Redeemer (222 S. Palm Avenue), where participants are invited to take part in a brief Morning Prayer service inside the church. Sarasota Police will provide a safety escort for the pilgrimage, ensuring participants can walk down the center of Main Street undisturbed by traffic.

Event History

The tradition began modestly in 1996 with just 15 participants, initiated by the Friday Men’s Breakfast Prayer Group at Church of the Redeemer. In 2002, the Sarasota Ministerial Association became a co-host, expanding its reach across faith communities in the area. Now in its 24th year, the pilgrimage has grown into one of the most spiritually significant Good Friday events in the region.

Parking and Transportation

Ample parking is available at Church of the Redeemer, the final destination of the walk. A free trolley will transport pilgrims from the church to the starting point at Regal Hollywood beginning at 6:00 a.m. Additional free street parking is available on Gulfstream Avenue, as well as in Redeemer’s Strawberry Hill parking lot at Palm Avenue and Ringling Boulevard. Other options include the public parking garage across from First United Methodist Church and the lot behind First Sarasota Baptist Church at 1661 Main Street, which also serves as the sixth station during the pilgrimage.

This public act of devotion brings together people of all backgrounds for a moment of shared reflection and reverence. Everyone is invited to attend this free event and participate in this enduring Holy Week tradition.