15 fun things to do around Bradenton and Sarasota this Fourth of July 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 and Sarasota this holiday weekend, July 2-4, 2021.
Fourth of July events
The Anna Maria Island Privateers will hold their annual Independence Day parade on Saturday, July 3.
The parade will depart from the north entrance of Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach at 10 a.m. and make its way north to City Pier Park in Anna Maria.
Details: 10 a.m. July 3. Gulf Drive, Anna Maria Island.
Info: facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandPrivateers.
Nathan Benderson Park will get the Independence Day fun started early with Fireworks on the Lake on Saturday, July 3. The event includes exhibits, a car show, live music, food, a run and other family fun. A fireworks display will top off the evening.
The event is free to attend, but there is a fee to park in nearby lots.
Details: July 3. Gates open at 5 p.m.; music starts at 5:30 p.m.; fireworks launch after 9 p.m. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Admission is free. Parking is $20 on Regatta Island and $15 in the park’s south lot ($40 for recreational vehicles).
Info: nathanbendersonpark.org.
Celebration in the Park will bring live music, a beer garden and food trucks to J.D. Hamel Park in Sarasota on July 3 and 4.
The musical lineup includes blues, rock, Motown, Latin funk, country and Caribbean bands.
On July 4, the festival will be followed by a parade through downtown Sarasota, a performance by local American Idol contestant Alana Sherman and the Sarasota Bayfront fireworks show.
Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. July 3 and 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. July 4. Parade and fireworks to follow.
Info: lovedowntownsarasota.com.
Palmetto Fourth Fest: Palmetto has snagged country, blues and Americana superstar Wynonna Judd and her band The Big Noise to headline this year’s Fourth Fest at Sutton Park.
A DJ and local band His Country will open the show. Judd is expected to take the stage around 7:30 p.m.
In addition to live music, local vendors will be set up at the event offering food and drink.
The festival is free to attend. There’s no reserved seating, so you may want to get to the park early with your lawn chairs or blanket to stake out a spot. Personal coolers, food and drinks are allowed; alcohol is not.
A fireworks show over the Manatee River sponsored by Palmetto, Bradenton and Manatee County will follow the concert.
Details: Fourth Fest kicks off at 5 p.m. July 4. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. Free.
Info: facebook.com/palmettocra.
Manatee River fireworks show: Palmetto and Bradenton share the love on the Fourth of July with a fireworks display that is visible on both sides of the Manatee River. So grab a spot on the Bradenton Riverwalk, Riverside Drive, a waterfront restaurant or a friend’s boat deck to enjoy the show.
Details: Fireworks are set to begin around 9:30 p.m. July 4 over the Manatee River.
“Fireworks, Food & Fun” at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is another way to enjoy this year’s Manatee River fireworks show. The event includes food, kids activities and a guaranteed good view of the pyrotechnics in the museum’s Riverside Plaza. Bring a chair or blanket and get comfy. Boxed barbecue meals provided by Nancy’s Bar-B-Q from Lakewood Ranch will be available for an extra charge. There are four admission options available:
Single admission without food: $20.
Single admission with one boxed meal: $40.
Family admission for four without food: $70.
Family admission for four with four boxed meals: $150.
Details: Doors open 6:30 p.m. July 4. Food served at 7 p.m. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. $20-$150. Kids 4 and under: Free.
Info: bishopscience.org.
Siesta Key fireworks: If you want a front-row seat to fireworks near the beach, Siesta Key’s annual fireworks show may be the one for you. The show launches around dusk from near Siesta Key Public Beach and is free to the public.
Details: Fireworks set to launch at dusk on July 4 at Siesta Key Public Beach.
Info: my.siestakeychamber.com.
The Sarasota Bayfront fireworks show is back this year to light up downtown and Sarasota Bay.
The fireworks show is the grand finale of the Suncoast Summer Fest (previously the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival), which is set to take place from June 24-July 4 and includes powerboat races and other community events.
Details: Fireworks to launch around 9 p.m. July 4 from near Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Dr., Sarasota.
The Celebrate Sarasota July 4 Parade will pay tribute to veterans, first responders, medical professionals and frontline workers.
The parade will kick off at 8 p.m. at Orange Avenue and Mound Street and proceed down Bayfront Drive to J.D. Hamel Park.
There will be marked areas for public parade viewing along the route, according to organizers.
Details: 8 p.m. July 4. Fireworks to follow. Main Street, Sarasota.
Info: suncoastsummerfest.org.
The All-American Cookout at Selby Botanical Gardens is another fun way to enjoy the Fourth of July. The celebration includes access to the gardens, family-friendly games and activities and cookout favorites available for purchase. Guests get a scenic view of the fireworks display over Sarasota Bay.
A “Selby Experience” upgrade includes valet parking, a buffet and an open bar.
Details: 5:30 p.m. July 4. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. Ages 13 and up: $35 (member price is $25). Kids 4-12: $10. Kids 3 and under: Free. Selby Experience tickets are $150 for ages 13 and up and $50 for kids 4-12; kids 3 and under are free.
Info: selby.org.
Art Walk
The creatives of the Village in the Arts in Bradenton will open their businesses this weekend for a display of crafts, goods, healing arts, food, music and more.
Whether you fancy folk art or fine art, creative cuisine, antiques, furniture, tattoos, records, quilting or a psychic reading, Village of the Arts has something to offer most any taste.
The theme for this month’s Art Walk is “Mermaids & Manatees.”
Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Village of the Arts, downtown Bradenton.
Info: villageofthearts.com.
Farmers’ Markets
The Beach Market at Coquina Beach offers fresh produce, arts and crafts, jewelry and apparel, health and beauty items, music and more. The fresh ocean air and sunshine on Anna Maria Island are free. The market will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays through November.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach. Free.
Info: islandsandbeaches.com/market.
Sarasota Farmers Market brings vendors selling arts and crafts, goods and services, produce, food, plants and more to downtown Sarasota. There’s also live music to enjoy.
Details: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Lemon Avenue and Main Street, downtown Sarasota.
Info: sarasotafarmersmarket.org.
The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch boasts more than 50 local vendors. Offerings include produce, prepared foods and breads, crafts, plants and pet treats. Local musicians are another regular feature at the market.
Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Free.
Info: mylwr.com/185/Farmers-Market-at-LWR.
Oneco Farmers Market is open seven days a week. The permanent market boasts more than 100 vendors in one location, including meats and seafood, fresh produce, sweets and treats. There are also restaurants and arts and crafts vendors to check out, and the market frequently hosts free community events.
Details: Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Oneco Farmers Market, 5108 15th St. E., Bradenton.
Info: onecofarmersmarket.com.
Manatees are back at The Bishop
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s manatee habitat is back open to the public after a major remodel.
The upgraded Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat is built to mimic the marine mammals’ natural environment with varying depths, landscape elements and a textured bottom.
Two juvenile manatees, Janus and Iclyn, are currently being cared for at The Bishop until they can be released back into the wild. You can meet them this weekend with admission to the museum.
Masks are required for guests over the age of 2.
Details: Open Wed.-Sun. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Ages 18-64: $20. Ages 65 and up: $19. Ages 12-17 and college students with ID: $16. Ages 5-11: $12. Ages 4 and under: Free with paying adult.
Info: 941-746-4131. bishopscience.org.
Sarasota Music Festival
The Sarasota Music Festival, a renowned celebration of classical and chamber music, is going virtual this year. Sold-out performances that were recorded live in June are now available to stream from home for several weeks.
Performances include solo, duo and quartet arrangements as well as a musical talk on the Romantic period of classical music.
Details: Available to stream through July 24. $40 streaming pass allows access to all performances.
Info: sarasotaorchestra.org.
See a movie
Ruskin Family Drive-In: In operation since 1952, this drive-in plays classic flicks, family favorites and new movies with showings every day of the week. This weekend, the outdoor theater will screen 2013 computer-animated hit “Despicable Me 2” as well as the latest installment in the “Fast and Furious” car racing action film saga, “F9.”
Bring a portable radio if you don’t want to leave your car turned on during the films. You can also bring folding chairs to set up outside of the vehicle (bug repellent is recommended if you go this route).
▪ Despicable Me 2 (PG): 8:45 p.m. Fri.-Sun.
▪ F9 (PG-13): 10:20 p.m. p.m. Fri.-Sun.
Details: 5011 U.S. 41 N., Ruskin. Ages 9 and up: $6. Ages 5-8: $1. Cash only. $5 fee for bringing your own food. Alcohol not permitted.
Info: ruskinfamilydrivein.com.
Sarasota Film Society: Sarasota Film Society’s Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota theaters are a great place to catch a weekend flick. Screenings include independent and art films as well as blockbusters. Check the society’s website for the current lineup of movies. Masks are recommended for unvaccinated guests.
Cinema fans can also continue to stream SFM’s latest offerings in the world of independent and thought-provoking film from home with the purchase of a virtual movie experience.
Details: See movies in person Friday-Sunday at Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, 10715 Rodeo Drive #8, Sarasota or Burns Court Cinemas, 506 Burns Lane, Sarasota. Online streaming available any time.
Info: filmsociety.org. 941-955-3456.
This story was originally published June 29, 2021 at 1:18 PM.