Weekend guide: The Manatee County Fair and other things to do in Bradenton/Sarasota this weekend

Are you ready for the weekend? Us too.

If you don’t have plans yet, we’re here to help.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa Bay and beyond.

Are we missing a big event? Drop us a line at rballogg@bradenton.com.

Fun for everyone

Manatee County Fair: Head on down to the fairgrounds in Palmetto for the opening weekend of the Manatee County Fair.

This is the fair’s 104th year, and there is oh so much fun in store — including many beloved traditions and some new shows and events.

Check out the rides and food on the midway, see displays of prize livestock and community arts and crafts, and grab a seat for one of the feature shows, like the new “Three Ring Super Circus.”

This year’s headline acts include hit country band Restless Heart, country newcomer Tony Jackson and Christian rockers Unspoken.

On Jan. 21, entrance to the fair is free, and veterans will be honored with a special presentation featuring speaker Jessica Lynch (a former prisoner of war in Iraq) and patriotic music by Darryl Worley.

Details: Jan. 16-26. Ages 13 and up: $10. Ages 6-12: $6. Seniors: $9. Military: $6. with Active Status I.D. Children 5 and under: free.

Info: manateecountyfair.com.

MLK festivities: Palmetto will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. this holiday weekend with a parade followed by the annual Multicultural Festival at Lincoln Park.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, hosted by the Palmetto Youth Center, will travel south along Second Avenue West, west on 10th Street West, north on Eighth Avenue West, and east along 17th Street West.

Details: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday in Palmetto.

Info: 941-722-0783.

Palmetto’s eighth annual Multicultural Festival at Lincoln Park will feature live music, food and family fun.

Local Latin music band Grupo Mango will bring salsa, merengue, bachata and more dance music to the stage.

National R&B sensation Ginuwine, who rose to fame in the 1990s, will headline.

Enjoy food and crafts for sale from local vendors and a fun zone for kids.

Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and get comfortable for the show.

Details: 2-6 p.m. Saturday. Free. Lincoln Park, 501 17th St. E., Palmetto.

Info: palmettofl.org.

Yappy hour: Once a month, Motorworks Brewing hosts a canine extravaganza in the beer garden.

Dog owners are invited to sip craft beer, shop from local pet supply vendors and let their leashed pets socialize.

Sunday’s event will benefit Shelter Manatee, a new animal shelter serving Manatee County that is planned to open in 2023. The fundraiser will include silent auctions and raffle baskets.

In addition to lots of craft beer options, $4 Bloody Mary’s and mimosas will be available from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

A special release of four-packs of Kolsch (a lager/ale hybrid) will feature dogs on the beer cans; those dogs and others will be available to adopt at the event.

Details: 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. No cover.

Info: motorworksbrewing.com.

Seafood and live music: Enjoy fresh local seafood, drinks, shopping and lots of live music at the three-day Sarasota Seafood and Music Festival.

Friday performers are Dr. Dave Band (classic rock, country and bluegrass), JP Soars & The Red Hots (soul, blues) and the Black Honkeys (rock, soul).

Saturday performers are The Whole Band featuring Callie Chappell (Americana, rock, variety), the Billy Rice Band (country rock), Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio (rock, soul), The Verge (classic rock) and 22N (rock, funk and variety).

Sunday performers are Big Night Out (dance, rock and alternative), Kettle of Fish (rock, blues and reggae) and Fleetwood Max (a Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band).

Details: 4-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Intersection of Gulf Stream Avenue and Main Street in downtown Sarasota. Free.

Info: paragonartevents.com.

At the theater

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical: “Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical” is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life,” the Manatee Performing Arts Center says.

The Manatee Players will present the magical story turned stagework for a two-week run at MPAC starting this Thursday.

Details: Jan. 16-Feb. 2. Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $27-$40.

Info: 941-748-5875. manateeperformingartscenter.com.

Go outside

Hike Emerson Point: Emerson Point Preserve is the perfect place for a day of hiking or kayaking along the mouth of the Manatee River.

Enjoy scenic views from the observation tower and visit the Portavant Temple Mound, a Native American archaeological site that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Details: Open sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year. 5801 17th St. W., Palmetto. Free.

Info: mymanatee.org.

Theme park fun

Star Wars experience: A galaxy far, far away is a little bit nearer in Florida thanks to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The newest addition to the theme park opened in December. “Rise of the Resistance” takes voyagers on a daring and immersive journey into the Star Wars universe; It’s also an exceptionally lengthy experience, for theme park standards, at around 20 minutes long.

The ride revolves around the plot of the latest Star Wars movies and features some familiar characters.

Details: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 351 S. Studio Dr., Lake Buena Vista.

Info: disneyworld.disney.go.com.

Dining guide

NEW IN TOWN — Grab groceries and a meal: In addition to a huge array of Hispanic and Caribbean products, the new Acapulco Tropical Y Mas supermarket in Ellenton offers in-store dining and to-go meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Options include tacos, tortas, burritos, nachos, dinner plates, sides and desserts (flan and tres leches included). For breakfast, there are a variety of egg dishes, omelets and sincronizadas (a.k.a. quesadillas).

Also check out the supermarket’s large selection of fresh baked goods.

Acapulco Tropical Y Mas is at 3410 U.S. 301 in Ellenton.

Info: facebook.com/acapulcotropicalymas.

DRINK THIS — New brew in Bradenton: 3 Car Garage Brewing Company is the newest addition to the Bradenton area’s craft beer scene.

The brewery specializes in easy-drinkers like lagers and Pilsners. Other pours include IPAs, porters and fruity sour styles.

There are ciders and seltzers for those seeking an alternative to beer, and the brewery will host food trucks on weekends.

The brewery will host a grand opening celebration this Saturday from 2-11 p.m featuring live music, food trucks and a home brew tasting and competition.

3 Car Garage Brewing is at 8405 Heritage Green Way, Bradenton.

Info: 3cargaragebrewing.com.

Live music highlights

Albert Castiglia at Blue Rooster: Albert Castiglia is a touring blues rocker with roots in South Florida.

Details: 8-11 p.m. Friday. Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota. $15-$20.

Ted Stevens and the Doo Shots at Cafe in the Park: Ted Stevens and the Doo Shots play jivin’ rockabilly.

Details: 7 p.m. Friday. Cafe in the Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota. No cover.

Info: cafeinthepark.org.

Eric Von at Cortez Kitchen: Eric Von is a country music singer-songwriter from Cortez with Nashville experience.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday. Cortez Kitchen, 4528 119th St. W., Cortez. No cover.

Info: thecortezkitchen.com.

Klick Band at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille: Klick Band is a five-piece rock outfit inspired by the early rock and roll legends of the 1960s and ’70s.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, Downtown Bradenton, 101 Riverwalk Blvd., Bradenton. No cover.

Info: mattisons.com.

Roy Book Binder and Suitcase Full of Blues at Fogartyville: Roy Book Binder is a bluesman with a storied past, clever songs and a rare talent on acoustic guitar.

Suitcase Full of Blues is a three-piece musical project led by Jimmy Fadden, a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirty Band.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. $20.

Info: wslr.org/fogartyville.

Tropical Avenue at Motorworks Brewing: Tropical Avenue’s catalog spans top 40 dance tunes, Latin and island music as well as Motown, classic rock and standards. The band performs “with an interactive flair,” Motorworks says, “inviting the crowd on stage to have a go on their bongos, tambourines, etc.”

Details: 7-11 p.m. Saturday. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. No cover.

Info: motorworksbrewing.com.

Stumble Creek at Linger Lodge: Bluegrass meets jam band in the lively picking sessions of Stumble Creek Station.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Linger Lodge Restaurant and RV Campground, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton.

Info: lingerlodge.com.

Raiford Starke at Jigg’s Landing Outpost: Enjoy the country folk sounds of Raiford Starke in the scenic Florida surroundings of Jigg’s Preserve on the Braden River.

Details: 3-7 p.m. Sunday. Jigg’s Landing Outpost, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. Free.

Info: 941-727-4181. jiggslanding.com.

Nobody’s Fool at Peggy’s Corral: Nobody’s Fool is a four-piece band covering classic rock with vintage equipment for a genuine sound.

Details: Noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Peggy’s Corral, 4511 U.S. 41, Palmetto. No cover.

Info: peggyscorral.net.

This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 5:00 AM.