Residents will have a full calendar of community events during the week of Sept. 22-28, with activities ranging from family movie nights and gardening classes to free car seat inspections, public meetings and live entertainment.
Tuesday, Sept. 22
Families can attend a free Family Literacy Movie Night featuring Rudy from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Parkway. The School District of Manatee County is presenting the event in partnership with Manatee County. Snacks will be provided, and registration is required.
Wednesday, Sept. 23
The Bradenton City Council will hold a public hearing at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall, 101 12th St. W., regarding the proposed creation of a new Community Redevelopment Area. The proposed area is being evaluated through Florida’s Finding of Necessity process. The city also has a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. and a City Council budget hearing at 5:01 p.m.
Outdoor enthusiasts can participate in an early-morning Wildlife Spotlight birding walk at Perico Preserve beginning at 6:50 a.m. A separate volunteer RIP Squad event to remove invasive plants begins at 9 a.m. Reservations are required for both programs. Register for both events at My Manatee.
Thursday, Sept. 24
Several community programs are scheduled throughout the county.
The Manatee Tiger Bay Club will host a discussion on Florida’s Amendment 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W. in Bradenton.
At 11 a.m., Palma Sola Botanical Park will host a UF/IFAS Extension horticultural class on salt-tolerant plants. The park is located at 9800 17th Ave. NW in Bradenton. Participants may register online, at the park or by calling 941-761-2866.
Families can attend another free Family Literacy Movie Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. The featured movie is Meet the Robinsons. Snacks will be provided and registration is required.
Myakka City residents will also have an opportunity to discuss a proposed school-based health center at Myakka City Elementary School. MCR Health, in partnership with Results 1st and the school, will hold a town hall from 6 to 7 p.m. to gather community input on the proposal.
Manatee County EMS will begin a free car seat safety check event from 3 to 7 p.m. at Manatee County Public Safety Center, 2101 47th Terrace E. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will inspect car seats and help families determine whether children are riding safely.
Saturday, Sept. 26
The car seat safety event returns to the Manatee County Public Safety Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointment is needed.
Myakka City Elementary School will host a community health fair from 9 a.m. to noon, with a town hall scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. The event is part of the community planning process surrounding the proposed school-based health center.
At 10 a.m., the League of Women Voters of Manatee County will hold a nonpartisan voter education presentation at Island Branch Library covering Florida’s three proposed constitutional amendments and the Manatee County referendum appearing on the 2026 ballot.
Bat City Comic Professionals will celebrate its fourth anniversary in Bradenton with a Local Comic Shop Day event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 915 Manatee Ave. E. The free event will feature opportunities to help create a life-size community comic, make comic-themed crafts and participate in a kids’ scavenger hunt. Free food will also be available, and the comic shop will hold an in-store sale during the celebration.
Entertainment is also on the schedule Saturday night. Award-winning entertainer and TEDx speaker Cody Byrns will present A Night of Magic & Sophisticated Buffoonery at 7 p.m. at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. The performance combines clean comedy, magic, juggling and audience participation and is recommended for ages 12 and older.
Monday, Sept. 28
Manatee Young Professionals will host a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Manatee Chamber’s Bradenton office, 222 10th St. W. Representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation are scheduled to provide an update on the Bradenton-Palmetto Connector study and transportation options being explored for travel across the Manatee River. Register at Manatee Chamber of Commerce.
The League of Women Voters will hold another voter education presentation at 6 p.m. at South Manatee Branch Library, 6081 26th St. W. The program will cover the constitutional amendments and county referendum on the November ballot. (League of Women Voters of Manatee County)
Events, times and registration requirements may be subject to change. Residents planning to attend are encouraged to check with the sponsoring organization before heading out.