Friday
On Friday, show your support for Manatee High School’s football team as it leaves for Orlando for the Class 5A-State Championship game against Tampa’s Plant High School at the Citrus Bowl.
Wear red and line up along 32nd Street West with school staff and students between the school’s campus and Hawkins Stadium at 12:45 p.m. as the buses depart.
The buses will proceed west on Ninth Avenue West to 43rd Street West, then head north on 43rd Street West past Jessie P. Miller Elementary School at about 12:55 to 1:05 p.m., where students and supporters of the team are expected to gather.
At Manatee Avenue, the buses will turn right and head east to another group of fans gathering at the Shake Pit, 3801 Manatee Ave. W., between 1 and 1:15 p.m.
Before turning north at U.S. 41, the buses are expected to pass by the School Support Center, where supporters are encouraged to come out and cheer on the team.
In the evening there is a specially planned treat for seniors, or really anyone wanting to see holiday lights and decorations.
It’s the eighth annual Santa’s Tour of Lights, and this event was especially created for older adults who cannot see to drive or cannot see to drive at night. The pickup time and locations are at 6:45 p.m. at State College of Florida (Building 29) and the Manatee Civic Center.
Marilyn Howard, director of the Manatee Community Foundation, said that kudos for this wonderful experience are owed to Manatee County commissioners and Manatee County Area Transit.
”In the past we have called it the Senior Santa Tour of Lights, but anybody can go and enjoy,“ she said. ”They will see homes that are very, very decorated.“
But the event is first come, first serve, so bring canned food or a toy to get on the bus and thank Ted Nowasad, 92, for his original vision of the tour.
Howard said she knew there was a need to get seniors out to enjoy the holiday season and started the event to spread cheer and joy through the older communities of people.
”We just helped Ted (eight years ago) to get this going and the foundation set up a fund so they could give the event charitable use of the money,“ she said.
Wait – next, it’s ”The Elf.“ A really big one.
Flip up those little elvin shoes and make some toys and noise in Santa’s workshop while enjoying Reels at Rossi Park at 7 p.m. for a holiday movie.
It’s all part of the monthly movie-in-the-park series in Rossi Park and people should bring a chair or blanket to sit on and enjoy a truly oversized elf on the three-story movie screen.
This month’s movie is the 2003 family hit, which is about an oversized elf (Will Ferrell) who leaves the North Pole for New York City to seek out his real family. The movie is rated PG and the first 100 kids get a free ball.
William Winter, director of marketing and design at The Bradenton Time, saw ”The Elf“ this week and laughed just as hard as he did when the movie first came out.
”The great thing about the movie ÔElf’ is that the main character ÔBuddy’ is basically a grown-up acting as a child,“ Winter said. ”The childish questions and opinions coming out of the mouth of an adult are so frustrating, it just makes you laugh.“
He said most of the humor is due to the comic timing and delivery of Will Ferrell.
”But, boy does it make me laugh,“ Winter said.
Saturday
There is a very big
possibility you still need holiday presents.
So what are you waiting for? Get out and support the local arts, as Mainly Art will host its eclectic group of artists at the Downtown Bradenton Farmers’ Market, and the Village of the Arts will host its monthly art walk.
Even if you are completely shopped out, hanging out with artists and their creative spirit is always a good way to get into the holiday jive.
Downtown at Mainly Art on Old Main Street, people can shop for art, crafts and antiques, while picking up some fresh vegetable and fruits for the weekend.
The Village of the Art’s Holiday in Paradise shows off 40 galleries, stores, cafes and other small businesses while enjoying the Christmas lights. Some galleries will be hosting live music. The Village’s Web site says that there is plenty of free street parking throughout the Village, or park at the Downtown Parking Garage at the corner of 12th Street West and Eighth Avenue West across the street from the Bank of America building.
Then forget dragging the family to the mall or to a local department store to see Santa Claus.
He’s going to be skating into the Ellenton ice rink from 1:15 to 3:15 p.m.
Market director Brett Kaplan said Santa’s going to be in full wardrobe and on skates.
Admission is $8 to skate and skate rentals are $3, while children 3 and under are free and senior citizens are discounted.
”It’s a much different setting than the typical,“ he said. ”Instead of sitting on Santa’s lap, you can skate with him.“
Now we are introducing the first annual nature-lit De Soto National Memorial Winter Luminary Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. at the De Soto National Memorial.
Go to the park and experience the winter season in 16th-century style. The park will light the trails with hundreds of luminaries on Saturday night and give people the experience of going back 470 years ago when American Indians and Spanish conquistadors celebrated the holiday season in North America.
There will also be authentic Native American music and Cuban food – for free!
Meghan Donato, an interpretative ranger at the park, said this is their winter season celebration.
”It’s educational, it’s historical, it’s free and very fun,“ she said. ”This helps people to get back in touch with the community.“
Sunday
Then on Sunday at 9 a.m., the
Sierra Club is having its annual holiday paddle and lunch at Linger Lodge on
the Braden River.
”We’ll paddle from Jiggs Landing, then back after lunch,“ said Don Kirkley, a member and paddle leader for the event.
”We are hoping to see some wildlife on the way down,“ he said. A $6 donation is appreciated and lunch should cost about $15.
Call (941) 493-3085 to make reservations.
If this weekend has completed worn you down, go out and rent a movie for the afternoon.
Vincent Safuto, our paper’s editor and reporter, said he is especially fond of ”A Charlie Brown Christmas.“
”I always liked the winter stuff and skating,“ he said. ”It was fun seeing the comic strip characters come to life, and it was always a tradition in my family to watch it every year.
”I miss those innocent times.“
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