Florida's Gulf Islands Visitors Guide® 2008 - (Page 15) Ongoing Events Get Down Downtown Old Main Street, Bradenton 941-448-6519 Get Down Downtown is “the place to be” on Bradenton’s Old Main Street from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Held on the third Thursday of each month, this event features a different band each month. Beverages and food are available for purchase on the street and at local restaurants and pubs. You’ll be dancing in the street as you meet your neighbors or make new friends in downtown Bradenton! May Where The Boys Are South Florida Museum, Bradenton 941-746-4131 This casual annual fundraising event is packed with fun and features a sampling of cuisine from more than a dozen area restaurants as well as dancing in the Spanish Plaza. September Florida Instructional League McKechnie Field, 9th St. W. & 17th Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-747-3031 Florida minor league baseball teams compete against each other. Concession stands are not open; however, there are soda machines. Bring the family out for a fun day of baseball at McKechnie Field Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. December Winter Wonderland Old Main Street, Bradenton 941-932-9400 X449 Always held the first weekend in December; Winter Wonderland is three evenings of family fun! The Jingle Bell Run along the Riverwalk (Thurs. p.m.), the Holiday Boat Parade (Fri. at sunset) and the Street Festival, complete with snow mountains, Santa, crafts, and live entertainment (Sat. 5 to 10 p.m.). June Kayak & Outdoor Festival Coquina Beach Park, Anna Maria Island, 941-750-6900 www.fgcsc.com Don’t miss this annual Manatee County Festival that will include kayak races for all levels. Festival will feature classes, clinics and demonstrations. Check out the area vendors and local wildlife exhibits set up throughout the festival. Sample local fare from area restaurants at the food and beverage tents on-site. October 17th-19th & 25th-26th Pumpkin Festival Hunsader Farms, County Road 675, Bradenton, 941-322-2168 Kids and adults will enjoy a day at Hunsader Farms, a real working farm with homemade apple cider, a petting farm, hay rides, live music, old country store, pumpkin patch and arts and crafts make this an ideal day in the country for the entire family. Jazz on the Islands Various locations throughout Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key Bradenton Area CVB 941-729-9177 Anna Maria Island Art League’s WinterFest Holmes Beach City Hall Park 5801 Marina Dr., Anna Maria 941-778-2099 www.annamariaislandartleague.org Enjoy, browse and purchase the works of excellent artists and craftsmen from all over Florida, entertainment both days by local groups, food concessions. November Sarasota Medieval Fair Hunsader Farms, County Road 675, Bradenton 888-303-FAIR (3247) www.sarasotamedievalfair.com Ladies and Knights, Peasants and Nobles! By Royal Decree, you are cordially invited to the Sarasota Medieval Fair! Witness hundreds of costumed performers leading you into continuous laughter, suspense, and drama on eight entertainment arenas holding over 75 performances daily. Come one and all, to two weekends of tournaments, feasts, and performances. Gamble Plantation Holiday Open House Gamble Plantation, 3708 Patten Ave., Ellenton, 941-723-4536 Come experience an authentic Civil War encampment. Free tours of the Gamble 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! Kayak & Outdoor Festival Extended Spring Training & Gulf Coast Leagues McKechnie Field, 9th St. W. & 17th Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-747-3031 Pittsburgh Pirates extended spring training and Minor Gulf Coast League Baseball games held at McKechnie Field. Lipizzan Stallions 32755 Singletary Rd. Myakka City 34241 941-322-1501 A must see The world-famous dancing horses perform at the Ottomar Hermann Training Grounds. Free performances as horses and riders ready for upcoming shows. Performances are Thurs. 3 p.m., Fri. 3 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. Holidays at the Crosley Powel Crosley Estate 8374 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota 941-722-3244 Dozens of beautifully decorated trees will be displayed. Other exhibits include Crosley radios, antique Crosley automobiles, and an elaborate vintage model railroad. Entertainment, gift boutique, historic photo display, and a bayside café round out the activities. July 3rd Bradenton Beach Fireworks Celebration Beach House Restaurant Bradenton Beach, 941-779-2222 A spectacular 45-minute fireworks display will be shot from a barge in the water. Plenty of BBQ and drinks. Sarasota Polo Club 8201 Polo Club Ln. Sarasota, FL 34240 941-907-0000 www.sarasotapolo.com 1st Snooty’s Gala South Florida Museum, Bradenton 941-746-4131 Bradenton’s premier black-tie social event, Snooty’s Gala, benefits the South Florida Museum. Gala guests dine on gourmet cuisine and dance under the stars to live entertainment in the Museum’s beautiful Spanish Plaza. 4th 4th of July Celebration Green Bridge, Palmetto, 941-721-2138 Celebrate our independence this year along the Palmetto Riverfront with live entertainment, food for all tastes and fireworks. Festivities start at 11 a.m.; a spectacular fireworks display will take place at 9:30 p.m. Sundays at 1 p.m. December 12April 10; Gates open at 11:30 a.m. General Admission: $8/person Children 12 and under - FREE. Come out and watch the fastest game in town! Bring your picnic lunches, and tailgate next to the action on the best polo fields in the country. Located 3.2 miles east of I-75 off Exit 213 (University Pkwy.) in Lakewood Ranch. Turn right on Lorraine Road, entrance to Club is second right. A Dickens Christmas at the Crosley Powel Crosley Museum 8374 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota 941-722-3244 x221 www.powelcrosleytheatre.com What better way to spend the holidays than at the Powel Crosley Mansion with the charming and eccentric characters from some of Charles Dickens’ most memorable literary offerings? Move from room to room at the Crosley and experience songs and stories of the holiday season featuring excerpts of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and other classic tales. 19th Snooty the Manatee’s Birthday Bash South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, 941-746-4131 Featuring a Birthday Bash for the resident County mascot Snooty™. Punch and Birthday cookies for the kids. Every child wins a prize at game booths. Reduced admission to Museum. 1st Taste of Manatee Barcarrotta Blvd., Bradenton 941-747-4655 Annual event to benefit Meals on Wheels Plus. 20+ restaurants, arts and crafts, kids’ games, music and a sports bar with TVs to watch the Bucs game. Plan to attend this one-day event, located on the beautiful Manatee River, and show support for your favorite restaurants. www.FloridasGulfIslands.com | Page 15 http://www.fgcsc.com http://www.annamariaislandartleague.org http://www.sarasotamedievalfair.com http://www.sarasotapolo.com http://www.powelcrosleytheatre.com http://www.FloridasGulfIslands.com
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