Manatee County Community Calendar Filled With Service, Civic and Family Events Through June 1
Residents across Manatee County will have several opportunities to give back, stay engaged and enjoy community activities during the week of May 26 through June 1, 2026, with events ranging from free pet services and blood drives to political forums and charitable galas.
Manatee County Animal Welfare will host a free vaccine and microchipping clinic on Wednesday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bishop Animal Shelter, located at 5718 21st Ave. W. in Bradenton. The clinic is available to Manatee County residents by appointment only and includes free vaccines and microchipping services for up to three pets per household. Cats must be transported in carriers and dogs must remain on leashes. Appointments can be scheduled online through Manatee County’s pet clinic registration page.
The Manatee Tiger Bay Club will hold a State Representative Candidate Forum on Thursday, May 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton. Candidates participating in races for Florida House Districts 70, 71 and 72 are expected to address community issues and answer questions ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
Blood donors will have the opportunity to support local patients while receiving a $50 Gecko’s Grill & Pub gift card during a special SunCoast Blood Centers blood drive on Friday, May 29. Donation buses will be stationed at several locations, including Gecko’s Grill & Pub in Bradenton at 7228 55th Ave. E. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional donation locations will also be available in Sarasota County. Organizers say the campaign is designed to boost blood supplies heading into the busy summer season.
On Saturday, May 30, the Stand For Children Gala will take place at IMG Academy Golf Club from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The annual event will honor the Cox family as the 2026 Paul Sharff Children’s Champion Award recipient in recognition of their century-long legacy of philanthropy and community involvement in Manatee County. The gala supports programs and initiatives benefiting children throughout the region.
Also on May 30, residents can participate in the City of Bradenton’s free used cooking oil collection event at the Bradenton Public Market. The program is part of the city’s Fats, Oils and Grease Prevention Program and encourages residents to properly dispose of used cooking oil rather than pouring it into drains or sewer systems. The event is held on the last Saturday of each month.
