Weekend Adventures in Bradenton: March 22-24, 2013

BRADENTON -- The cold weather has passed and it's time to get outdoors. This weekend you can take in another installment of Music in the Park, eat cupcakes for a cause, get out and see some spring baseball or cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge for the annual Honda Grand Prix in downtown St. Pete. Get out in the sunshine and catch some action. It's time for a Weekend Adventure in Bradenton!

This is the final weekend of Spring Training and the Buccos will be at McKechnie twice, giving you a chance to get out to the ballpark, before they head back to PA. On Friday, Rays fans get a chance to see their team as they visit Bradenton. Then on Sunday, the Orioles make the short trip from Sarasota.

The Bradenton Downtown Development Authority and Relize Bradenton continue the Music in the Park series this weekend. The six-concert series takes place Friday and Saturday evenings, March 1 through March 29, 6-8 p.m., at the Riverfront Amphitheater, 452 Third Avenue West in Bradenton. Food and beverages will be available for sale. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

This Friday features Shotgun Justice. Put together from classic rock, southern rock, and country veterans, Shotgun Justice puts it all together just right for any venue. With more years in the business than they would like to admit to, this band can rock any house and turn any event into a memorable one.

Em V’s Cupcake & Dessert Lounge will host a Relay for Life Fundraiser on Saturday from noon – 4pm at 8208 Cortez Road West in Bradenton. Admission is free. Bring the kids, as there will be face painting, cupcake and cookie decorating stations, arts and crafts and raffles with prizes valued at $250, plus much more.

All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society Manatee Unit through Relay for Life. For more info contact Emy at 941-896-3422 or www.escapetoemvs.com.

The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is part of the IZOD IndyCar Series, giving local race fans a chance to see a real Indycar race right through the streets of downtown St. Pete. The race takes place Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., but there are chances to see smaller races, qualification runs and track practice for three full days beginning Friday morning, when gates open at 8 a.m.

Tickets range from $50-135 with race day and three-day pass options. Other events include the IndyCar Experience and the interactive Bright House Networks Speed Zone. Visit the event website for more information on parking, tickets and the events schedule.