Full Week of Events Across Manatee County Includes Festivals, Arts Performances, Parades and Family Activities
Residents and visitors across Manatee County will find a wide range of activities from March 9 through March 16, with community festivals, arts performances, outdoor recreation, and family-friendly events taking place throughout Bradenton, Palmetto and surrounding areas.
One of the week’s highlights will take place at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in downtown Bradenton. The theater continues its production of Bright Star through March 15. The bluegrass-inspired musical, created by Grammy Award winners Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, tells the story of literary editor Alice Murphy as she confronts memories from her past while encountering a young soldier returning from World War II. The production features a cast of volunteer performers and a score filled with lively rhythms and emotional ballads.
In addition to the musical, the center will host a special concert on March 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. featuring Paddy O’Furniture: An Irish Music Celebration. The Tampa Bay-based band blends traditional Irish folk music with pub-style sing-alongs and energetic reels and jigs, offering a family-friendly show in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.
Outdoor and community gatherings will also fill the calendar throughout the week.
Animal lovers can participate in the Humane Society of Manatee County’s 19th annual Paws in Motion Walk-A-Thon and Festival on Saturday, March 14 at the Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion at Rossi Park. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by a one-mile walk at 10 a.m. The event raises funds for shelter animals and features pup contests, music, vendor booths, prizes and activities for families and their pets.
On March 13, residents will have the opportunity to explore local history and nature through the Manatee County Library’s Wandering Book Club gathering at the John Marble Recreation Center. The program encourages readers to combine literature with outdoor exploration at parks and natural areas across the county.
Families looking for interactive entertainment can visit the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish for the Day Out With Thomas: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll tour on March 14 and 15. The experience includes a 30-minute train ride with a talking Thomas the Tank Engine locomotive, opportunities to meet Sir Topham Hatt, live entertainment, lawn games, bounce houses and themed activities for children.
Festivities will continue into the weekend with the inaugural Mixon Farms Farmers Market on Sunday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2525 27th Street East in Bradenton. The monthly market will feature local vendors, live music and exhibits highlighting agricultural equipment and farming traditions.
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will also take center stage on Anna Maria Island on Sunday, March 15, during the Anna Maria Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade begins at Holmes Beach City Hall and travels through the island before ending at The Center of Anna Maria Island. The event, presented by Duncan Real Estate, is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. and draws participants and spectators from across the region.
Earlier in the week, the Village of the Arts in Bradenton will host a Friday the 13th Ghost Tour on March 13 beginning at 8 p.m. The walking tour explores the neighborhood’s historic streets while sharing stories of local legends and haunted history.
With arts performances, family activities, festivals and civic events taking place across the county, the week of March 9 through March 16 offers residents numerous opportunities to participate in community life throughout Manatee County.