Council Corner: Ward 3

Spring is ... springing, officially this coming Thursday. However, in Bradenton, where, over the past month and in the month ahead, we've seen visitors flocking to our town and community as if spring has already arrived.

Following a stormy and cold start to 2025, we've had "Chamber of Commerce" weather for some of the signature events Bradenton and our area have become known for—the Bradenton Area River Regatta and Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training baseball!

This year's Regatta marked our tenth, and through partnerships with the organizers, race teams, entertainers, and local, state, and federal officials, the event went off without a hitch.

Which was your favorite—the races? The drone and fireworks show? The musicians on both shores of the river? Which was my favorite? Simply, yes! Following the Regatta, Sunday, February 23, brought the home opener of the Pirates’ 57th spring in Bradenton. Extra excitement surrounds the promise of this year’s squad, from a cadre of veterans to up-and-coming stars (knock on wood, of course!). As the tagline goes, “It all begins in Bradenton!”

And as we hit the official start of spring next Thursday (March 21), please remember to be on the lookout for another rite of the season— Spring Breakers! The School District of Manatee County is on break next week, along with numerous collegiate visitors to the area. So go ahead, Spring—spring! We’ve all been waiting.