Barefoot or with sneakers on, dozens of children will meet up at the Venice Fishing Pier  tonight for a one-mile Summer Beach Run. It's an ongoing program offered through Sarasota County and a great way to encourage kids to put down those iPhones and get some exercise.

It costs $1 to register and that covers all the beach runs. Tonight's theme is Pirates, so pull out the eye patch and the Pirates hat and hit the beach. Parents can tag along too. Registration is at 5:30 p.m.; the run begins at 6:30. The children will be rewarded with a post-race ice pop and a participation ribbon. And with Sharky's on the Pier and Fins near the finish line, parents can get an adult treat beachside. 1600 Harbor Drive, Venice.