Downtown Bradenton Set for Lively Fall

BRADENTON – There will be an uptick in activity as the summer begins to cool and downtown events pick up in the final months of 2013, culmination with the Second Annual Bradenton Blues Festival, December 7 on the new RiverWalk. Music in the Park, Grease at the new Manatee Performing Arts Center and the return of the downtown farmer's market are just some of the events on the horizon.

The farmer's market returns October 5th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Music in the Park revs back up October 18 at 6 p.m. in the new, RiverWalk Amphitheater and continues October 25, November 1, and November 8. The Pickin' Picnic will be held October 19 from 4 -10 p.m.

The Tony Award-winning musical Grease gets things started when it opens September 12. The classic musical about teen gangs in the 50's runs through September 29 at the area's newest performance venue.

Fresh off a succssesful debut in 2012, the Bradenton Blues Festival to downtown Bradenton's RiverWalk on December 7. The 2013 lineup includes the acclaimed young vocalist Shemekia Copeland, Kris and Nick Schnebelen of Trampled Under Foot and legendary Mississippi soul-blues man Johnny Rawls. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.BradentonBluesFestival.org.