Weekend Adventures: May 31-June 2, 2013

BRADENTON -- There's plenty of sports and recreation for everyone to enjoy this weekend. Bring the family (and your dog!) to watch the Bradenton Marauders play against the Jupiter Hammerheads on Friday, and partake in a Halfway to Halloween celebration during and after the game at McKechnie. The next day, a 5-mile beach run will be happening on Coquina Beach. A kayaking and bird photography session will also take place on Saturday morning on Braden River, with more kayaking taking place in Shell Preserve the next day. Whether you feel like relaxing at a ball game, on a river, or just acting your own Chariots of Fire scene, it's all possible in this Weekend Adventure in Bradenton!

On Friday, the Marauders will host the Jupiter Hammerheads. The contest is the first in a three-game series between the two teams, all of which take place at McKechnie Field. A celebration of Halfway to Halloween will be in full swing at the stadium on Friday, with trick-or-treating happening at vendor tables set up throughout McKechnie, and continuing the Marauders Concert Series will be Top 40 cover band Zombie University, who will take the stage after the game.

Dogs are welcome at Halfway to Halloween, and a dog costume will be held. Tickets for dogs are $2.

Bradenton Marauders vs. Jupiter Hammerheads

Friday, May 31st 6:30pm

McKechnie Field

1611 9th Street West

Bradenton

Enjoy the beach, a festival and a run all on the same day when the 5k Treasure Run and FloridaFitFest come to beautiful Coquina Beach on Saturday. The excitement starts off with the Treasure Run at 9 a.m. In order to win, runners must gather color coded armbands from all designated Treasure Stations. Everyone who finishes the run will get the Coveted Bronze Finisher's Medallion, which makes them eligible to win one of many spectacular raffle prizes, including an iPad 4.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., with a fee of $35 (you can register in advance here). A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club. 

Can't make it to the morning run? Then enjoy FloridaFitFest: the all-day fitness, health and nutrition festival along with contests and stage performances by local businesses, who will line the beach the latest in fitness, nutrition and wellness! FitFest is free and open to the public. 

5k Treasure Run / FloridaFit Fest

Saturday June 1st

9am (Run) / Afternoon (FitFest)

1800 Gulf Drive 

Bradenton Beach

Manatee County Natural Resources will be hosting a simultaneous kayak along the Braden River and a bird photography workshop, starting from the Braden River Boat Launch. Master Naturalist and ACA Kayak Instructor Wayne will be sharing his knowledge of how to capture birds in photos during the 2 mile sunrise kayak, and paddlers will get to see many beautiful species of bird, including the Roseate Spoonbill, the

Great Egret, the Great Blue Heron, the Wood Stork, the Cormorant, and others.

While not for first time kayakers, beginning kayakers are welcome. Participants must have their own canoe or kayak and safety gear. Children age 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required. Please call 941-742-5757 ext.7. 

Braden River Rookery Paddle and Photography Workshop

Saturday, June 1st 7:30am - 9:30am

Braden River Boat Launch

3020 Manatee Avenue East

Bradenton

Up for more kayaking? On Sunday morning at 9am, the Sierra Group will host a paddle at Shell Key Preserve. Located just north of the Skyway Bridge, the preserve is an important sanctuary for migrating birds, and spans 180 acres full of white sand, dune barrier islands and interior mangrove islands. Sponsored by the Manatee Sarasota Sierra Club, donation $5. For information and to reserve, call Don Kirkley at 941-493-3085.

Shell Key Preserve Kayak

Sunday June 2nd, 9am

Call for meet-up location details