Manatee County Celebrates Sam Woolf Day

BRADENTON – On Tuesday, the Manatee County Commission voted to proclaim it Sam Woolf Day in Manatee County. Woolf, a senior at Braden River High School, caught the attention of millions this spring when he made it to the final 5 of this season's American Idol.

The Michigan native moved to Bradenton from North Port before his sophomore year. Just before finding national fame, he was playing small local venues like the Old Main Street Farmer's Market, Beef O'Brady's, McCallister's and Mannatee's Sports Grill. The singer was also featured in several local events like the Bradenton Seafood Festival and the Sarasota Chalk Festival.

Commissioners gushed over Sam's success and the classy way he represented Manatee on the national stage. Woolf will return to the area in much glitzier fashion on June 17, when the American Idol 2014 U.S. Tour comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center.

All photos by John Rehill