Weekend guide: Here are 15 fun things to do around 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
Sarasota Medieval Fair: Step back into the Middle Ages and partake in a day of “medieval merriment” at the 16th annual Sarasota Medieval Fair.
Walk among peasants and royalty, peruse the offerings of ancient vendors and enjoy entertainment like jousting, comedy, period music and textile displays. Don’t forget to dress the part.
The event is held at Ringling Woods (behind the Sarasota Fairgrounds), 3000 Ringling Blvd. in Sarasota.
Details: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Nov. 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30 and Dec. 1. Ages 5-12: $9.95. Ages 13 and up: $18.95. Multi-day passes available.
Info: 1-888-303-3247. sarasotamedievalfair.com.
Explore outer space: Young learners can experience the wonders of the universe during KidSpace, a special program offered on the second and fourth Saturday of every month at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in downtown Bradenton.
The show utilizes the Bishop Planetarium to explore the sun, planets, moons, galaxies and more.
KidSpace is designed for elementary-age explorers and their parents. Those interested in more advanced space exploration can check out the museum’s Stelliferous Live star talks, held on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
Details: 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Saturday. Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Museum members: $5. Non-members: $8 (or $3 with museum admission).
Info: bishopscience.org.
A night of music: The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble will hold its premiere concert this Sunday. The 40-piece ensemble will present works including those by Mendelssohn, Vaughan Williams, Karl King and Dick Hyman.
Details: 2 p.m. Sunday. Our Lady of the Angels Church, 12905 E. S.R. 70, Lakewood Ranch. $10 suggested donation.
Info: 518-376-7973.
Farmers markets galore: Two local farmers markets will bring a bounty of food and fun to the Bradenton area this weekend.
On Saturday, the Bradenton Farmers’ Market takes over Old Main Street. Stock up on fresh fruits and veggies, shop for crafts, listen to local live music, check out cooking demonstrations and more.
Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. 400 12th St. W., Bradenton. Free.
Info: realizebradenton.com/farmers_market.
The Market at Lakewood Ranch is back and bigger than ever with a new time, date and location.
Now held on Sundays at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center campus, the market is chock-full of produce, artisan crafts and plants.
The new format also includes weekly yoga sessions and occasional special events like cooking demonstrations.
Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Free.
Info: lakewoodranch.com/life-on-the-ranch/themarket.
At the museum
Semper Paratus: The U.S. Coast Guard has a long legacy of protecting Florida’s waters, and a temporary exhibit on display at the Florida Maritime Museum explores the past and present role of the seafaring military branch.
“The United States Coast Guard remains always ready — Semper Paratus — to serve in Florida’s tropical and turbulent waters,” museum staff says. “’Always Ready: United States Coast Guard in Florida’ — curated by the Florida Maritime Museum — explores the exciting stories and brave people behind the Coast Guard in the sunshine state.”
Details: On display through Dec. 31. Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Free.
Go outside
Walk the treetops at Myakka: Get some exercise and an eagle’s eye view among the treetops at Myakka River State Park’s famous canopy walkway.
The suspended pedestrian bridge was the first of its kind to be built in North America, and it offers impressive sights of the park’s flora, fauna and precious Florida ecosystems.
Details: Open 8 a.m.-sunset, 365 days a year. Myakka River State Park, 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota. $2-$6.
Info: floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/myakka-river-state-park.
Theme park fun
Christmas at Busch Gardens: Ready to get holly jolly? Busch Gardens annual Christmas Town event continues this weekend.
The park is decked out in lights and decorations for the holiday party, and there are festive eats, shows and music to enjoy.
Pay for less than the price of a one-day admission and go back through the end of 2020 free with Busch Garden’s Fun Card deal.
Details: Nov. 16—Jan. 6. Busch Gardens, 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa. $109.99
Dining guide
NEW IN TOWN — Casual drinks and eats: A new location of Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie, a popular Sarasota dining spot, is now open in Lakewood Ranch.
The casual eatery offers an extensive beer, wine and cocktail selection as well as a menu full of elegant yet reasonably affordable dishes including appetizers like crispy brussels sprouts and dry-rubbed wings, soups and salads, pasta, rotisserie or fried chicken, seafood and steak.
Libby’s Neighborhood Brasseire is at8445 Lorraine Rd., Lakewood Ranch.
Info: tableseide.com/menu/libbys-neighborhood-brasserie.
Live music highlights
The Verge at Woody’s River Roo:The Verge plays blues rock, Southern rock and classic rock from the ‘70s to now.
Details: 7-11 p.m. Friday. Woody’s River Roo, 5717 18th St. E., Ellenton. No cover.
Info: woodysriverroo.com.
Glass Onion Beatles Band at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille: If you enjoy the music of The Beatles, you can’t go wrong with Glass Onion Beatles Band.
Details: 7-10:30 p.m. Friday. Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, Downtown Bradenton, 101 Riverwalk Blvd., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: mattisons.com.
BABYL and Applebutter Express at Motorworks Brewing: BABYL is the musical project of Benjamin Jacobs. The singer-songwriter and pianist writes soulful and emotive tunes that are amazing performed solo or backed by his energetic band.
Applebutter Express puts a funky spin on bluegrass.
Details: 3-11 p.m. Saturday. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: motorworksbrewing.com.
Dr. Dave Band at Clancy’s: Dr. Dave and band play a high-energy blend of music that they describe as country-grass-rock.
Details: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday. Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub, 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: clancysirishsportspub.com.
Messenger Band at Cortez Clam Factory: Messenger Band takes the stage. Messenger Band is a rock outfit that puts its powerful male and female vocals to classic and current hits at venues from Englewood to St. Petersburg.
Details: 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Cortez Clam Factory, 10104 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: clamfactory.com.
Eric Von Band at Joyland: Eric Von is a country music singer-songwriter from Cortez with Nashville experience
Details: 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Joyland Country Music Night Club, 5520 14th St. W., Bradenton. $7 cover.
Info: joylandbradenton.com.
Remedy Tree and The Wandering Hours at Fogartyville: Progressive acoustic band Remedy Tree will bring bluegrass and Americana sounds to Fogartyville on Saturday; contemporary folk band The Wandering Hours will also play.
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota. $18.
Info: wslr.org/fogartyville.
Truality at Blue Rooster: On Sunday, Blue Rooster hosts a Gospel Brunch Buffet with Southern comfort food and live gospel music from Truality.
Truality is a Sarasota band that performs gospel music in all new ways, incorporating R&B, jazz, funk and Latin rhythm.
Details: 11:15 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota. Adult brunch: $24.95.
Info: blueroostersrq.com.
Ship of Fools at Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse: Ship of Fools is a Grateful Dead cover band with a revolving door of talented local musicians.
Details: 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse, 19 E. Road, Sarasota. No cover.
Info: stottlemyerssmokehouse.com.
This story was originally published November 20, 2019 at 8:12 AM with the headline "Weekend guide: Here are 15 fun things to do around Bradenton-Sarasota this weekend."