BRADENTON – If you're a fan of craft beer and cajun food, get downtown for Beerfest on Old Main Street. Valentine's Day is coming, so get your sweetie in the mood with the Village's Sweethearts ArtWalk, this weekend in Village of the Arts. Strange forces will be at work during Palmetto's free movie in the park and don't worry about the popcorn and soda – it's on the house. You've also got a chance to get an early preview of Manatee County's newest preserve with a tour by a Manatee County naturalist. Grab your blanket and let's go. It's time for a Weekend Adventure in Bradenton!
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Can't make it too New Orleans for Mardi Gras? Don't worry, it's coming to you! Beerfest returns to downtown Bradenton on Saturday and this year's theme is Mardis Gras! More than 80 beers from over 40 breweries will be on hand to sample, as well as Cajun and Creole-themed foods prepared by the best of the Tampa Bay area.
Beers from Sweetwater Brewing Company, Goose Island, Cigar City and other local and regional craft beers will be available, as well as gumbo, jambalya, crawfish etouffee and other New Orleans favorites on 10 food trucks. Music will be provided by the Gumbo Boogie Band. Tickets are $30 ($25 in advance) for beer tasting, and $10 for food tastings.
A special VIP ticket is available for $50, which includes a 1-hr pre-event tasting and food at the Lost Kangaroo Pub. Proceeds will benefit No Kill Manatee. More information is available at www.CraftBeerExpo.org.
Beerfest Mardis Gras
Downtown Bradenton
Saturday
4-8 p.m.
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Sweet's Bakehouse in the Village of the Arts |
It's the first weekend of the month and that means ArtWalk! Treat your favorite sweetie to a romantic stroll through the Gulf Coast’s largest art community, Bradenton's Village of the Arts. Enjoy a weekend browsing through 20 galleries displaying pottery, jewelry, paintings, folk art, sculptures, art to wear, and other one-of-a-kind creations in colorful 1920 cottages.
Experience an intimate lunch or dinner at any one of our five fine restaurants surrounded by art and music nestled in quaint vintage houses throughout the village.Sweets Bakehouse will offer a special buffet dinner of Spaghetti and Meatballs, Baked Ziti, Cesar Salad, and fresh bread for just $10. Dinner is from 6-9 p.m. and includes a complimentary glass, and there will be live music by local crooner Hunter James Brown.
This will be a truly romantic adventure for Sweethearts of all ages. The Village of the Arts is located 4 blocks South of Manatee Ave., between 9th. Street West and 14th Street West, Bradenton. For more info call 941-747- 8056 or email villageoftheartspr@gmail.com.
SWEETHEARTS ARTWALK,
Friday, Feb. 1st., 6-9:30pm
Saturday, Feb. 2nd., 11-4pm.
Village of the Arts
Bradenton
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This Friday night at Sutton Park, the city of Palmetto presents a Movie in the Park: ParaNorman! The film is free and starts around 6 p.m. There will also be free popcorn and soda until 20 minutes after the movie starts. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a movie under the stars!
When a small town comes under siege by zombies, who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman, who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherwordly limits.
Movie in the Park: ParaNorman!
Friday
6 p.m.
Sutton Park
1050 6th St West
Palmetto
On Saturday, you can get a sneak peek of the restoration happening at the newest Manatee County preserve. The site's not open yet, but you can check it out with Master Naturalist Melissa during this special guided tour of Neal Preserve (map).
Learn about the new changes to this and other sites throughout the county and see what's new! Access to Neal Preserve is only granted during these special programs, so don't miss this opportunity.
Sneek Peek of Neal Preserve
Saturday
8:30 am - 10:00 am
Neal Preserve
12301 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34209
Phone: 941-748-4501 ext. 460