Arts and Entertainment Weekend Adventures in Bradenton: March 23-25

BRADENTON - This weekend in Bradenton is filled with events for every interest. For the art and animal lovers the usual weekend Farmers’ Market is offering something special. For the science aficionados, The South Florida Museum is holding a party in your honor. For the sports fan there’s a spring training game and Pirate Fest. Still not enough? The city of Palmetto will also be grand opening their new splash park. Leash up the dog, put on some sunscreen and prepare to get nerdy, it’s time for a Weekend Adventure in Bradenton!

This Saturday the Artful Purpose Art Show and Paws in Motion Walkathon are partnering with the Farmers’ Market to celebrate the lives of our pets. Vendors showcasing animal artwork and animal related products will join the 30 plus regular Farmers’ Market vendors.

There will also be live music, entertainment and a Chinese raffle. The proceeds of the raffle will benefit the Manatee County Animal Services and the Humane Society of Manatee County supporting the Manatee County No Kill Movement.

Artists Mark Barone and Marina Dervan will be showcasing the exhibit An Act of Dog, committing to paint 5500 portraits of shelter dogs who have been put to sleep. Their mission is to raise awareness and support for the No Kill Movement.

The Walkathon begins at 10 am and spans 1.1 miles along the riverfront. Registration for the walk begins at 9 am. The event is free and attendees are encouraged to bring their pets. Realize Bradenton is accepting donations for animal related items of $25 or more for the raffle. Vendors interested in joining can email MainlyArt@RealizeBradenton.com.

Artful Purpose and Paws in Motion at the Farmers’ Market  

Saturday, 9 am to 2pm

Old Main Street

Bradenton

Friday night the South Florida Museum is hosting Geek Fest, a science party. The event promises live music from Jigsaw Jug Duo, performances by Fuzion Dance and dance music from DJ Radioval.

There will also be food and a cash bar. Tickets include food. General admission is $35, members pay $25, kids 12 and under $15 and children under 4 are free.

UPDATE: This event has been CANCELED

Geek Fest

Friday, 6 pm to 9 pm

South Florida Museum

Bradenton

The Pittsburg Pirates are hosting the seventh annual Pirate Fest Saturday. The event is presented by ABC 7, and will take place just outside just outside McKechnie Field. The begins at 10 am and ends at 12:30, just before The Pirates face the Houston Astros at 1:05 pm inside the stadium.

Local businesses and communities will be represented at the event. Family fun activities are planned including giveaways, face painting, inflatable games, music and appearances by the Pirate Parrot and Marty the Marauder. Attendees can have their photo taken to create a free commemorative postcard. Autograph sessions with Pirates’ players will also take place all morning long.

Admission to Pirate Fest is free and open to the public. The game following the fest requires a ticket. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the McKechnie Field box office, calling (877) 893-2827, or on The Pirate’s website.

Pirate Fest

Saturday, 10 am to 12:30 pm

McKechnie Field

Bradenton

There's all kinds of fun happening across the bridge in Palmetto this weekend, where the city's long-awaited splash park will open on Saturday during a grand opening ceremony of Lincoln Park Splash Ground, scheduled for 9 a.m. Palmetto’s first ever Multicultural Day to follow at noon

The new splash ground at 715 17th St. East in Palmetto features geysers, jets, interactive equipment, sprinklers and water aerators. The splash ground will be open to the public:

• Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 pm. from March 25 through May 27, 2012

• Wednesdays from 1 – 5 p.m. and Fridays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May 30 through June 10, 2012

• Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 12 through Aug. 19, 2012 (Closed on the Fourth of July)