Florida's Gulf Islands Visitors Guide® 2008 - (Page 14) MARK your calendar January 15th-25th Edgar Allan Poe at the Crosley Powel Crosley Estate 8374 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota 941-722-3244 x221 www.poeatthecrosley.com The historic Crosley Mansion becomes the home of Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination.” You will be greeted by a cast of historical and literary characters including the “Master of the Macabre,” Edgar Allan Poe. Move from room to room at the Crosley and experience theatrical presentations of Poe’s works. 19th-29th “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Crosley Powel Crosley Estate 8374 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota 941-722-3244 www.shakespeareonthebay.com Celebrate the spring season by attending Shakespeare at the Crosley. Experience the Powel Crosley Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Ongoing Events Artwalk Village of the Arts Bradenton, 941-747-8056 www.villageofthearts.com Bradenton’s downtown district where artists live and work. Enter at 11th Ave. W. and 12th St. W. Interactive map online. First Fri. of the month 6 - 9:30 p.m.; first Sat. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. This popular First Friday monthly Artwalk is alive with hundreds of shoppers and art lovers strolling from exhibit to exhibit. Most venues are open every Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. throughout the month for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike. Tours are sponsored by area historical groups to sites such as the Gamble Mansion, the Cortez Fishing Village and the Manatee Village Historical Park. There are also craft demonstrations of weaving, woodworking, quilting, basketry, and doily making. 21st Children’s Parade & Party in the Park Lamb & Sutton Park, Palmetto The kids are in charge in their own parade down the historic streets of Palmetto! Schools and organizations create the most adorable entries and lead the way to Lamb & Sutton Park where activities and entertainment are held for the entire family. Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training McKechnie Field, 9th St. W. & 17th Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-747-3031 Workouts are held at Pirate City from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. during March and April. Bring the whole family out to the ball game and indulge in hot dogs and peanuts, etc. while enjoying a day of America’s favorite pastime, baseball. 22nd Easter Egg Hunt G.T. Bray Park, 5502 - 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton 941-742-5923 The Easter Bunny meets our modernday de Soto and his Crewe at G.T. Bray Park for a fun-filled egg hunt open to children ages 3-8. Prizes, awards and 25,000 eggs! 17th-27th Manatee County Fair Fairgrounds, Palmetto 941-722-1639 The Manatee County Fair offers traditional sights and sounds of the midway, including a variety of rides, games and attractions. Agriculture and home economics play a significant role in the fair. There are a large number of agricultural exhibits and the efforts of the 4-H Club, Future Farmers of America and Future Homemakers of America are displayed. Cortez Village Historic Homes Tour Village of Cortez, 941-704-8598 www.fishpreserve.org Take a walking tour of historic homes in the quaint fishing village of Cortez. The Village of Cortez is a community of 500 people and was settled in the late 1880s by fishing families. For over 100 years, this little community has survived on hard work, fierce pride and a plentiful supply of fresh Florida seafood. April 4th-6th De Soto Seafood Fest Barcarrota Blvd., Bradenton One of Florida’s largest outdoor festivals, this downtown riverfront event combines outstanding cuisine with multi-stage entertainment, a large variety of vendors and three continuous days of fun for the entire family. De Soto Heritage Festival Hernando Desoto Historical Society 941-747-1998 Circus Sarasota Sarasota, 941-355-9335 www.circussarasota.org Visit website or call for show dates, times and locations. Thrilling family entertainment much more than just your average circus. Summer theater show, winter performances under the big top and other exciting programs throughout the year. Ticket prices are $8 - $35. 2nd February 16th-17th Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival The Village of Cortez, County Road 684, Bradenton, 941-794-1249 The Cortez Fishing Festival is an annual celebration that takes place in the picturesque fishing village of Cortez. The festival features fresh seafood, environmental exhibits, entertainment, arts and crafts with a nautical theme, net mending demonstrations, boat tours and rides. Gamble Plantation Annual Open House 3708 Patten Ave., Ellenton 941-723-4536 Come experience an authentic Civil War encampment. Free tours of the Mansion and Patten House. Live cannon and Civil War-era weapons, period costumes, uniforms, and Civil War field equipment. Early craft demonstrations. Fun, food, music, excitement and learning for the whole family! 4th-13th Sarasota Film Festival Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20 Sarasota, 941-364-9514 www.sarasotafilmfestival.com Help the Sarasota Film Festival celebrate its 10th anniversary! This festival is dedicated to exploring the best new stars of independent film, with 10 days of non-stop films, premieres, symposiums and parties. 8th Palmetto Heritage Day 515 - 10th Ave. West, Palmetto 941-723-4991 Celebrating Palmetto’s past. Heritage Station Post Office open for business with special one-day cancellation. Palmetto Historical Park Open House, live entertainment, yellow rice and chicken luncheon at the Women’s Club of Palmetto. Florida West Coast Symphony 709 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota 941-953-4252, www.fwcs.org Named the top performing arts organization in the state for six years, the Florida West Coast Symphony presents more than 100 concerts each year from Sept. through June. Conductor Leif Bjaland has infused the orchestra with a brilliant sound that has made many of the concerts standing room only. Call for a season brochure. Box office hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Rates vary per concert, (free to $58). 24th Rubonia Mardi Gras Town of Rubonia 941-722-3403 or 941-722-5048 Manatee County’s most exciting and unusual event will be held the fourth weekend in February in the town of Rubonia. This year’s 27th Annual Festival will feature live bands, costumes, food and craft vendors and the Wild & Wacky Parade. 12th De Soto Bottle Boat Regatta Palma Sola Causeway (S.R. 64), Bradenton Thousands of plastic bottles and only paddles to row with… the perfect mix for teams to compete against each other at one of our most popular events! See families, friends and co-workers splash it up for prizes southside of the Palma Sola Causeway! 8th-9th Anna Maria Island Art League’s Springfest Holmes Beach City Hall Park Anna Maria Island 941-778-2099 Enjoy, browse and purchase the works of excellent artists and craftsmen from all over the country. Entertainment both days by local groups and food concessions. March Manatee Heritage Month Historical sites throughout Manatee County, 941-749-7165 An annual month-long celebration of Manatee County’s rich history. 26th De Soto Grand Parade Manatee Avenue, Bradenton Acclaimed as the most dazzling regional parade, this huge illuminated night parade boasts more than 150 entries with over 180,000 onlookers! Don’t miss it! Page 14 | 1-866-906-TIME to visit http://www.shakespeareonthebay.com http://www.villageofthearts.com http://www.poeatthecrosley.com http://www.fishpreserve.org http://www.circussarasota.org http://www.sarasotafilmfestival.com http://www.fwcs.org
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