Weekend Adventures in Bradenton, June 17-20

BRADENTON -- It's Father's Day weekend and Dad is going crazy from the heat. Local temperatures have been flirting with three digits this week and I drove past a thermostat sign that read 101 degrees last Saturday! Dad needs to cool off and kick back this year and there are plenty of lazy ways to celebrate his special day this weekend. Put on your thinnest, climate cool clothes and give your overworked air conditioner a break, it's time for Weekend Adventures in Bradenton.

Thursday, June 17

If you haven't been to a "Get Down Downtown" yet this year, tonight is your last chance. The last Get Down of the 2009-10 season will take place on Old Main Street before the party takes its annual two-month hiatus.

Live music starts at 6 p.m. with the Black Swamp Gypsies on the south stage and Soul Purpose on the north stage. Enjoy food and drink vendors, plus a variety of arts, crafts and other wares along Bradenton’s historic Old Main Street. Some of the proceeds from this event will benefit Manatee PACE Center for Girls. The next season of Get Down Downtown will start Sept. 16.

Get Down Downtown
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Old Main Street
Bradenton


Friday, June 18

In these tough economic times, what family couldn't use a free movie? On the third Friday of each month, Rossi Park in downtown Bradenton hosts a free, family-friendly movie under the stars. This week, it's Inkheart, a fantasy tale about a book that comes to life, starring Brendon Frasier.

Rossi Park is located in downtown Bradenton on Third Avenue West between Ninth Street West and U.S. 301. Parking is available at the park, on the first two floors of the Promenade Parking Garage, and downtown. Admission is free and concessions are available.

Reels at Rossi
6 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Rossi Park
Bradenton, FL

These days, we all long for simpler times, which has helped bring nostalgia into the forefront of all art mediums. Get over to ArtCenter Manatee for the last night of "Flashback: A 60's Revolution." An open, juried, all media exhibition with a '60's theme, Flashback will send you back in time.

How do you remember the 60’s? Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, surf’s up, woody wagons and muscle cars? The Beatles, The Doors, peace, love, VW vans and Woodstock? Or Viet Nam and the first man on the moon? Come to this all-media exhibition to relive an era that everyone remembers differently orÉ maybe not at all! The suggested donation for the exhibit is $5.

Flashback: A 60's Revolution
ArtCenter Manatee
209 Ninth Street West
Bradenton, FL

941-746-2862 

Saturday, June 19

The Marauders are back in town for the weekend, but have the day off on Sunday, so get Dad out to the ballpark for an early Father's Day gift, because Dad loves baseball! The Marauders are red hot and still in the hunt for the first half championship. This is one of the most affordable nights out in Bradenton and definitely one of the most entertaining.

Bradenton Marauders Vs. Jupiter Hammerheads
6:00 p.m.
McKechnie Field
1611 9th Street West
Bradenton
(941) 747-3031


Sunday, June 20

Father's Day is all about Dad and as much as Dad loves baseball, he loves ribs even more. Linger Lodge has an amazing all-you-can eat old-Florida style BBQ every Sunday, but this week, they've got Prime Rib on the Grill. You can fish off the dock, get a cold brew at the bar and if you want to get an early start on things, you can even stay in one of their fully-furnished cabins the night before.

Linger Lodge
7205 85th St Ct East
Bradenton, FL 34202
(941) 755-2757


If you'd like your prime rib in a more formal setting, get out to Mattison's Riverside where Chef Paul's special Father's Day dish: herb and garlic encrusted Prime Rib served with mashed potatoes and fresh seasonal summer vegetables will be on hand.

Mattison's Riverside
1200 First Ave West
Bradenton
941.748.8087

Once you've filled his belly, get Dad out to the beach! Manatee beaches are open, beautiful, and oil free! So you can't help, but have a great Father's day in the sand and surf. Baseball, Barbecue, and  Beaches sounds like a perfect weekend (or a Jimmy Buffet song). But whatever you do, tell Dad you love him, and that he was right more often than you'd like to admit. You know it's true.