8 things to do in Bradenton, Sarasota this weekend: County fair, Beer & Burger fest and more

2022 is here — and there’s plenty of local fun on tap this weekend to get your year off to a nice start. Still need plans? We’ve got you covered.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to good times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, Jan. 14-16, 2022.

Manatee County Fair opening weekend

The 106th annual Manatee County Fair opens Thursday, and there’s plenty of fun in store for all ages. The event brings 11 days jam-packed with shows, food, music, midway rides, animals and agricultural displays to the fairgrounds in Palmetto.

• Details: Jan. 13-23. Ages 13 and up: $10. Ages 6-12: $6. Active military with ID: $6. Children 5 and under: free. Parking: $10.
  
  
• Visit manateecountyfair.com for a full schedule of events.

Palmetto Multicultural Festival

The Palmetto Multicultural Festival returns this year with R&B and soul sensation Freddie Jackson. Jackson had a string of hits in the ‘80s including “You Are My Lady,” which earned a Grammy nomination.

The free festival will also feature community acts, organizers say, and food and drink vendors will be on site.

• Details: 2-6 p.m. Saturday. Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. Free.
• Info: facebook.com/palmettocra.

Sarasota Winter Carnival & Beer and Burger Festival

Carnival rides, games and food will arrive at The Mall at University Town Center this weekend for the fourth annual Sarasota Winter Carnival.

The carnival is free to enter, but guests will need to purchase tickets or wristbands to enjoy the rides.

An on Saturday, the third annual Beer and Burger Festival will take place from noon-8 p.m., right next to the carnival. The festival costs $15 to enter and includes 14 burger purveyors (guests get a chance to vote on the best one). Local craft brewery samples, a market of vendors and live music performances are also part of the fun.

• Details: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday, noon- 8 p.m. Monday. The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive. Carnival admission: Free. Beer and Burger Festival: $15.
  
  
• Info: facebook.com/MallatUTC.

Paranormal Cirque

A circus with a scary and supernatural twist is making a stop in Palmetto.

“Paranormal Cirque will expose you to a unique creation of combined theatre, circus, and cabaret with a new European style flare,” show runners say.

The horror-tinged show is designed for a mature audience and includes acrobatics, aerial arts, illusion acts and contortion.

• Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Monday; 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday; 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday. 102 Riviera Dunes Way, Palmetto. $10-$50. Ages 13-17 must be accompanied by parent/guardian for entry.
• Info: paranormalcirque.com.

Bounce house fun

The Big Bounce America, a traveling inflatable attraction that feature’s the Guinness-certified world’s biggest bounce house, will visit Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota this weekend.

There are four inflated scenes to explore: a 13,000 sq. ft. bounce house; “Sport Slam,” a sports arena-themed bounce area; “The Giant,” an over 900 foot long obstacle course; and “airSPACE,” an outer space-themed bouncing wonderland.

• Details: Friday-Sunday. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. $19 and up.
• Info: thebigbounceamerica.com.

Farmers’ markets

Downtown Bradenton Public Market: Formerly the Bradenton Farmers Market, this weekly community gathering is back on Saturdays with a fresh name. But you’ll still find a bounty of produce, food, handcrafted goods, arts, music, cooking demonstrations and more along Old Main Street. The market offers more than 40 vendors.

• Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Oct.-May. Old Main Street, Bradenton. Free.
• Info: realizebradenton.com/public-market

The Beach Market at Coquina Beach offers fresh produce, arts and crafts, jewelry and apparel, health and beauty items, music and more on Anna Maria Island. The market will be held on Wednesdays and Sundays December through March.

• Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach. Free.
• Info: facebook.com/BeachMarketAtCoquinaBeach

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

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

Red Barn Flea Market combines the best of a farmers market, a flea market and a food court in one stop. At Red Barn, you’ll find permanent storefronts, vendor booths, fresh produce, local food offerings, live entertainment and more.

• Details: Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday. 1707 First St. E., Bradenton.
• Info: redbarnfleamarket.com.

Fun at the museum

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature: Explore the past, present and future of the natural world with interactive displays and exhibits, stellar shows in the famed Planetarium, an indoor manatee habitat, the Mosaic Backyard Universe for kids and more at The Bishop in downtown Bradenton.

• Details: Open Tue.-Sat. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Ages 18-64: $23.95. Ages 65 and up: $21.95. Ages 12-17 and college students with ID: $17.95. Ages 5-11: $14.95. Ages 2-4: $8.95. Ages under 2: Free with paying adult.
• Info: bishopscience.org or 941-746-4131

Florida Maritime Museum: Florida Maritime Museum documents the age-old relationship between Floridians and the water. Visitors will find marine life displays, historical photos and documents, revolving exhibits and a gift shop.

On the second and fourth Saturday of each month, the museum hosts a “Music on the Porch” outdoor jam session. From 2-4 p.m., local pickers and players come together to share tunes and singalongs with the crowd.

• Details: Open 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Free.
• Info: floridamaritimemuseum.org or 941-708-6120

Manatee County Agricultural Museum: Explore Manatee County’s rich agricultural past and present at the Manatee County County Agricultural Museum. Permanent exhibits include displays of authentic farm tools and equipment and highlights of various crops and industries that have taken root in Manatee County over the decades. There’s also a revolving lineup of special exhibits to check out.

• Details: Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and on the first and third Saturday of each month. Manatee County Agricultural Museum, 1015 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. Free. Donations accepted.

• Info: manateecountyagmuseum.com or 941-721-2034

The Ringling in Sarasota offers a treasure trove of fine art and architecture. See collections of European works from the Baroque period and modern and contemporary art; witness the colorful history of the big top in the Circus Museum; take a tour of the Ca’ d’Zan, a Mediterranean revival mansion; and stroll The Ringling’s 68 acres of waterfront grounds and gardens.

• Details: Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Ages 6-17: $5. Ages 18 and up: $25. Ages 65 and up: $23. Ca’ d’Zan entry $10 extra. Admission to the Museum of Art and grounds is always free on Mondays.
  
  
• Info: ringling.org or 941-359-5700.

See a movie

Ruskin Family Drive-In: In operation since 1952, this drive-in plays classic flicks, family favorites and new movies with showings Wed.-Sun.

There are two options for audio: bring a portable radio or leave your car radio turned on during the film. You can also bring folding chairs to set up outside of the vehicle (bug repellent is recommended if you go this route).

▪ Spider-Man: No Way Home (PG-13): 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

▪ Ghostbusters: Afterlife (PG-13): 10 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.

Many of the society’s movie offerings can be streamed virtually from home.

• Details: Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, 10715 Rodeo Drive 8, Sarasota and Burns Court Cinemas, 506 Burns Lane, Sarasota. Online streaming available any time.
• Info: filmsociety.org or 941-955-3456

Other Bradenton area movie theaters:

• AMC Bradenton 20, 2507 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. amctheatres.com. 941-752-3796

• AMC Sarasota 12, 8201 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. amctheatres.com. 941-922-4900

• CMX CinéBistro Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail #1100, Sarasota. cmxcinemas.com. 941-361-2456

• Regal Oakmont, 4801 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton. regmovies.com. 844-462-7342

• Regal Hollywood, 1993 Main St., Sarasota. regmovies.com. 844-462-7342

This story was originally published January 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM.