Weekend Adventures in Bradenton, September 24-26

BRADENTON -- This weekend offers plenty to do, including the rare chance to help a local first responder, rather than the other way around. This Saturday, get out to Myakka City for a top notch BBQ and silent auction that will benefit the Dylan Kersey Fund. Dylan is the son of a local firefighter who is in a coma following a serious auto accident. There's also football, theatre and outdoor fun on the calendar. So grab your bug spray -- it's time for a Weekend Adventure in Bradenton!

High School Football

Last week's game between Manatee and Southeast was an instant classic and a good reason to get off the couch and out to a game. Both teams are idle this week, but there's still plenty of action to be found on local gridirons. Your support helps fund local programs and it's a nice change to see eager high schoolers playing for the love of the game, rather than the big bucks.

This Week's Games:

Braden River @ Baysore

Lakewood Ranch @ Ida Baker (Coral Gables)

Venice @ Riverview

North Port @ Sarasota

* Palmetto, Southeast and Manatee are idle

On Saturday, you can get out and about for a great cause. Local firefighters are a major part of our community's backbone and right now one of them needs our help. Arthur "Otter" Kersey is a Myakka City fireman who suffered the unthinkable tragedy of responding to a call after a terrible auto accident, only to find out that it was his own son Dylan trapped in the badly mangled vehicle. Dylan is in a coma and listed in critical condition at Bay Front Medical Center.

There will be a barbeque dinner and silent auction behind the BP on SR 70 in Myakka City this Saturday to raise money for the cause. For those unable to attend that would still like to help, you can make a donation to the Dylan Kersey Fund at any Bank of America branch. The Bradenton Times wishes Dylan a healthy recovery and sends our thoughts and prayers to his family.

Dylan Kersey Fund BBQ Benefit
Saturday
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
SR 70 and Wuachula RD.
Myakka City (Behind BP)
Questions: 941.322.6525

The Glenridge Performing Arts Theatre will feature the hit production All My Sons this weekend. The production has been well received by local media. Val McDaniel plays the lead role of Joe Keller, while Dianne Brin portrays his wife Kate.

The Tony Award winning play by the legendary Arthur Miller tells the true life story of a young girl who turns in her father after finding out he sold faulty parts to the U.S. military during the war. The play was adapted to film in 1948 and again in 1987.  

All My Sons
Glen Ridge Performing Arts Theatre

7333 Scotland Way
Sarasota
Friday & Saturday 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 3:30 p.m
www.vpaoso.com
941.345.7032

Have your kids turned into couch potatoes now that school is back in session? Your local preserves have the antidote. Emerson Point Preserve on Snead Island in Palmetto will host a "Nature Detective" event for kids this Saturday.

The free program is an educational outdoors adventure that will teach children about local animals and how their characteristics suit our native ecosystem. Kids will remain safe during this fascinating exploration under the skins and bones of all sorts of animals.

This free family program will take place on Saturday. The group will meet at the Portavant Temple Mound parking lot at 2:00 p.m. The program lasts approximately two hours and will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. The group should return to the parking lot around 4:00 p.m.

This is an outdoor program. It is recommended to bring bug spray, sun screen and water! Reservations are required: please email melissa.nell@mymanatee.org or call 941.742.5757 ext. 4 today!

Nature Detectives

Emerson Point Preserve

Snead Island

Palmetto

Saturday

2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.

941.742.5757