BRADENTON – The weather is chilling out, but local weekend festivities are still hot as ever. The inaugural Braden River Boat Parade will light up Sunday evening with spectacularly-decorated holiday boats. The Bradenton Blues Festival turns up the heat on Saturday with seven musicians scheduled to rock downtown Bradenton from morning to dusk. Later that night, the Bishop Planetarium hosts a CGI-driven Rock Hall of Fame show. For a rare local opportunity to see the ancient craft of blacksmith demonstrated up close, stop by the Manatee Agricultural Museum and Palmetto Historical Park that morning. It's time for a Weekend Adventure in Bradenton!
 |
On Sunday, December 8, 2013, the first annual Christmas boat parade will begin at Jiggs Landing: 6106 63rd St E, Bradenton, FL 34203 at 5:30PM. The parade ends at Linger Lodge: 7205 85th St Ct E, Bradenton, FL 34202, at approximately 6:30PM. Prizes and auction begin at 7:30PM. Tickets for the auction may be purchased at Linger Lodge the night of the parade.
This is a free community event and the beginning of what we consider a local hometown tradition. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of 5 categories: 1) Best in Show: $300, 2) Best Illuminated: $200 Wal-Mart gift card, 3) Best Florida Cracker: (2) Linger Lodge gift certificates, 4) Most Festive and 5) Most Creative receive Pablono’s gift cards. Instructions for voting by text or paper ballots at event or online.
You can't help but get in the spirit of things with lights gleaming off the cool ripples in the water and the holiday sounds coming from decorated boats, kayaks and canoes.
"Christmas on the Braden River" is the first annual hometown parade for the holidays.
Starting on Sunday December 8, 4:00 PM check in will begin at Jiggs Landing Preserve. Boat numbers will be assigned and boaters will be directed to the line up area from 4:30 until 5:30 PM. The parade begins at 5:30. Each participant passes staging area for the visitor voting.
The parade ends 7:30 at Linger Lodge, where you may order your favorite dish from the regular menu, at your own expense.
 |
| Eddie Shaw |
Come to the Riverwalk to this Saturday to experience authentic blues music from seven very different artists. The Bradenton Blues Festival goes into full swing at 11 a.m. with famed blues guitarist Albert Castiglia opening with his band. Also featured: singer Shemekia Copeland; saxophonist Eddie Shaw & The Wolfgang; young blues rock band Trampled Under Foot; guitarist and singer Anthony Gomes; harp player and singer John Nemeth; Mississippi soul and blues man Johnny Rawls; and Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones with Dennis Gruenling, who define their own style of blues music.
More information about each performer can be found here.
Bradenton Blues Festival
Saturday December 7
11 a.m. - 7:35 p.m.
Riverwalk Park
452 3rd Avenue West
Bradenton
 |
This will be the first Saturday of the month—and that means it’s time for the Rock Hall of Fame show at the Bishop Planetarium!
This show is 45 minutes of computer-generated animations set to rock music. Show starts at 8:15 pm., but get there early for a new program, SpacePark 360, which recreates the experience of amusement park rides from the rider's perspective atop Jupiter's clouds to the icy depths of Neptune's moon Triton.
The planetarium is part of the South Florida Museum. After 4 p.m., entrance is $8 adults/$7 seniors (65+)/$6 kids (4-12). Shows are included in entrance fee.
Rock Hall of Fame Show
Saturday December 7
8:15 p.m.
South Florida Museum
201 10th Street West
Bradenton
If forging iron and steel is something that piques your interest, a free class in blacksmithing will be offered Saturday morning, as Manatee County Agricultural Museum and Palmetto Historical Park host blacksmith Steve Berglund from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Hammer In is free and you may attend for the full 5 hours or just drop by when you are available. Bring your lunch! For more information call 721-2034.
"Hammer In" Blacksmithing Class
December 7
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Manatee County Agricultural Museum and Palmetto Historical Park
515 10th Avenue
Palmetto
Comments
No comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.