Weekend

7 things to do in Bradenton, Sarasota this weekend: Car show, musical, reptile expo

Congratulations, you’ve made it through the first round of 2022. Now it’s time to celebrate with some weekend fun. Still need plans? We’ve got you covered.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to good times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, Jan. 28-30, 2022.

Repticon: Reptile expo

This reptile and exotic animal expo at Robarts Arena in the Sarasota Fairgrounds will showcase a whole menagerie of creatures.

Vendors offering lizards, geckos, snakes, frogs and other amphibians, butterflies, arachnids and more will be there. In addition to shopping pets and pet supplies, visitors can learn more about the world of herpetology.

‘Chaplin: The Musical’ at Manatee Performing Arts Center

A Manatee Players production of the Tony-nominated show “Chaplin: The Musical” will be in full swing this weekend at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. The musical explores what was happening behind the scenes as prolific 20th century film artist Charlie Chaplin rose to fame.

“Chaplin tells the touching story of the man who makes the world laugh as his legendary screen persona, the Tramp, but struggles to find happiness in his own life,” a show preview says.

Masks are required to enter the arts center.

  • Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $30-$38.

  • Info: manateeperformingartscenter.com.

Car show and family fun in Palmetto

A free event will bring classic automobiles and family fun to Sutton Park in Palmetto this weekend.

Bandit Movie Cars, a Palmetto company that rebuilds and reproduces cars from Hollywood movies and collaborated closely with Burt Reynolds, will be there.

Other attractions include live music, a DJ, food vendors, raffle prizes and a drawing, a bounce house and axe throwing.

The car show, now in its seventh year, is hosted by the Tanya Clavey Memorial Foundation and raises scholarship funds for Manatee County students pursuing careers in law enforcement.

Dino Don’s DinoVenture, on display at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature through March 18, 2022, brings visitors up close to more than two dozen animatronic dinosaurs.
Dino Don’s DinoVenture, on display at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature through March 18, 2022, brings visitors up close to more than two dozen animatronic dinosaurs. Provided Image/The Bishop

Dinosaur fun at The Bishop

Head back to the Jurassic and meet lifelike dinosaurs at a special exhibit currently stomping around at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton. Dino Don’s DinoVenture brings visitors up close to more than two dozen of the ancient reptiles in animatronic form.

The moving, “breathing” and roaring beasts hail from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and include iconic dinos such as Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex. The dinosaur expert and science writer behind the exhibit, Don Lessem, served as an adviser on the original “Jurassic Park” film, according to The Bishop.

Tickets for the DinoVenture experience are $10 and can be purchased separately or in combination with museum admission. Family passes are also available.

Details: DinoVenture on display through March 18. Museum 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. Dino Don’s DinoVenture: $10.

Info: 941-746-4131. bishopscience.org.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fun at the museum

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.

Masks are currently required inside museum buildings.

  • 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

Whether you’re interested in Hollywood blockbusters, independent film or an old-timey drive-in movie experience, there’s a theater nearby that can satisfy. Here are your local movie options:

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).

▪ Sing 2 (PG): 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

▪ Ghostbusters: Afterlife (PG-13): 9:25 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

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Ryan Ballogg
Bradenton Herald
941-745-7024
Ryan Ballogg is a local news and environment reporter and features writer at the Bradenton Herald. His work has received awards from the Florida Society of News Editors and the Florida Press Club. Ryan is a Florida native and graduate of USF St. Petersburg. Support my work with a digital subscription
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