A chilling wind brought some shivers to the fans at the Sarasota Polo Club on Sunday in Lakewood Ranch, but that was just a small annoyance.
Polo was back.
That cold wind actually helped the polo players get back on the field. Polo had opened Dec. 31 for the season, but then had to be cancelled the past two weeks due to a wet field that would have been torn up by the horses.
The wind dried out the field nicely, just in time for the annual Observer Cup.
While a temperature that hovered about 60 degrees kept the crowd down, tailgaters lined about three-quarters of the sidelines. Many in the crowd participated in the Pajama Party Contest, which offered prizes for the best onesie and the best group theme. There was a sleeping bag relay race at halftime as well along with a newspaper delivery toss contest where participants tried to land a copy of the East County Observer on a front door mat.
On Jan. 28, the theme will be Wild Wild West Party with awards going to the best cowboy and cowgirl costumes.