Florida's Gulf Islands Visitors Guide® 2009 - (Page 13) JANUARY–February January 13 –23 POE AT THE CROSLEY Powel Crosley Estate, 8374 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota 941-722-3244 x221, www.powelcrosleytheatre.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. February 21 & 22 CORTEZ COMMERCIAL FISHING FESTIVAL The Village of Cortez, Bradenton 941-794-1249, www.fishpreserve.org Always held the third weekend in February, the Cortez Commercial 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. January 15 –25 MANATEE COUNTY FAIR Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St. W., Palmetto, 941-722-1639 www.manateecountyfair.com 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. February 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 28th Annual Festival will feature live bands, costumes, food and craft vendors and the Wild & Wacky Parade. march–april Spring is in the air in March and April on Florida’s Gulf Islands. Stir crazy snowbirds flock to our islands to enjoy the sunny skies and warm breezes blowing in from the Gulf of Mexico. These are the idyllic days to enjoy boating, water sports, and outdoor dining on our beaches. The area is abuzz with cultural and arts events and festivals in these laid back beach towns. March 1 GAMBLE PLANTATION ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE 3708 Patten Ave., Ellenton, 941-723-4536 www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation Come experience an authentic Civil War encampment. Free tours of the Gamble Mansion and Patten House. Live cannon and Civil War field equipment. Early craft demonstrations. Fun, food, music, excitement and learning for the whole family! special one-day cancellation. Palmetto Historical Park Open House, live entertainment, yellow rice and chicken luncheon at the Women’s Club of Palmetto. Move from room to room to enjoy these tales as related by the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Hemingway himself. March 14 & 15 SPRINGFEST FESTIVAL OF FINE ARTS Holmes Beach City Hall Park Anna Maria Island, 941-778-2099 www.islandartleague.org Enjoy, browse and purchase original artwork from the talented artists and craftsmen who produce it. Pottery, paintings, photography, glass, jewelry, sculpture, wood and more will be offered by artists from all over the US. Children’s exhibit, toe-tapping Cajun and Bluegrass music, and tasty local food specialties are not to be missed. March 27–April 5 SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20 Sarasota, 941-302-6142 www.sarasotafilmfestival.com Featuring more than 200 films, public events, panels, parties, filmmaker discussions and musical performances. March 1–31 MANATEE HERITAGE MONTH Historical sites throughout Manatee County 941-749-7165 An annual month-long celebration of Manatee County’s rich history. Tours are sponsored by area historical groups to sites such as the Gamble Plantation, the Cortez Fishing Village and the Manatee Village Historical Park. There are also craft demonstrations of weaving, woodworking, quilting, basketry, and doily making. March 28 DE SOTO BOTTLE BOAT REGATTA Palma Sola Causeway Bradenton, 941-747-1998 www.desotohq.com 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. March 21 & 22 ART AT THE RANCH 8131 Lakewood Main St. Lakewood Ranch, 941-907-3750 www.shoplakewoodranchmainstreet.net This two day show will present over 80 talented artists from around the country displaying a variety of mediums including sculpture, glass, tile, woodworking, photography, mixed media, pottery, jewelry, pastel, oil and watercolor paintings, etc. March–April PITTSBURGH PIRATES SPRING TRAINING McKechnie Field, 1611 9th St. W., Bradenton Pirate City, 1701 27th St. E., Bradenton 941-747-3031, www.pirates.com Workouts are held at Pirate City from 10am to 1pm during March and April. Bring the whole family out to the ballgame and indulge in hot dogs and peanuts while enjoying a day of America’s favorite pastime, baseball. March 1–31 MARGARET MEAD FILM FESTIVAL South Florida Museum 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, 941-746-4131 www.southfloridamuseum.org The annual Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival is the longest-running premiere showcase for international non-fiction media in the U.S. Featuring a broad spectrum of cultural documentaries, both in form and subject matter. March 25 –April 3 HEMINGWAY AT THE CROSLEY Powel Crosley Estate, 8374 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, 941-722-3244 www.powelcrosleytheatre.com Celebrate the spring season by attending Hemingway at the Crosley. Experience the Powel Crosley Theatre’s production of Ernest Hemingway’s classic short stories. March 14 PALMETTO HERITAGE DAY 515 – 10th Ave. W., Palmetto, 941-723-4991 Celebrating Palmetto’s past. Heritage Station Post Office opens for business with 13 http://www.powelcrosleytheatre.com http://www.fishpreserve.org http://www.manateecountyfair.com http://www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation http://www.sarasotafilmfestival.com http://www.islandartleague.org http://www.desotohq.com http://www.shoplakewoodranchmainstreet.net http://www.pirates.com http://www.southfloridamuseum.org http://www.powelcrosleytheatre.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.