10 things to do near Bradenton this weekend: Spring training, symphony circus, festivals

Another March weekend is almost here — and there’s plenty of local fun on tap to help you enjoy it. Still need plans? We’ve got you covered.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to good times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, March 18-20, 2022.

Cirque des Voix at Nathan Benderson Park

The Circus Arts Conservatory and Sarasota symphonic chorus Key Chorale will partner up for a magical showcase of circus arts set to live music this weekend.

Cirque des Voix, or Circus of the Voices, will feature acts including aerial arts, juggling, balancing, illusion, fire arts and Chinese pole. The performances will be set against a backdrop of thrilling music, including scores from popular modern movies.

The 100 member Key Chorale will be joined by a more than 40-piece orchestra on numbers by John Williams, Danny Elfman and many more.

• Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. $30-$60.
• Info: circusarts.org/performances/shows/cirque-des-voix

Pirates spring training opener

Peanuts and Cracker Jacks, anyone? It’s that time of year to get out to the ball games.

After a delayed start, spring training will get underway this week at LECOM Park. Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates will play nine home games this spring training season. See them take on the New York Yankees on Friday and the Detroit Tigers on Saturday at LECOM. On Sunday, they’ll visit Dunedin’s TD Ballpark to play the Toronto Blue Jays.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles, who winter in Sarasota, will go up against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday and the New York Yankees on Saturday at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. They’ll be at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers on Sunday to play the Boston Red Sox.

• Details: The Pirates play in Bradenton at 1:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. $19-$33.
• Info: mlb.com/pirates

Springfest Art Festival

The 34th Annual Anna Maria Island Springfest Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts will bring 80 professional artists and craft workers from across the country to Holmes Beach on Saturday and Sunday.

Other attractions include all-day live music on Saturday, a food court, an art raffle and community exhibitors.

The event is hosted by the Anna Maria Island Art League.

• Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Free admission and parking. Holmes Beach city hall field, 5801 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach
• Info: islandartleague.org/festival

Horses and History

Myakka City Historical Society’s annual fundraiser benefiting its mission to save a 1914 historic Manatee County school house returns this weekend.

A major highlight of the family-friendly event is a performance by Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions, a troupe of rare show horses that call Myakka City home. New this year are performances by whip crackers, a Spanish dance artist, circus acts and a violinist. Historical exhibits, rock climbing, trampoline bungee jumping and local vendors will also be on site.

The main event is at the Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions ranch, but the Myakka City school house will also be open for viewing beforehand from noon-2 p.m. Saturday at 10060 Wauchula Road, Myakka City.

• Details: Gates open 1 p.m. Saturday; performances begin at 2 p.m. Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions ranch, 32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City. Suggested donation: $20 for ages 13 and up; $5 for ages 6-12. Cash or check only.
  
  
• Info: 941-962-6807

Wrestling show, family fun in Palmetto

Universal Championship Wrestling will bring a professional wrestling event preceded by a day of family fun to Palmetto this Sunday.

From 3-6 p.m., “Rides and Wrestling” will offer a chance to see classic cars, shop vendors, enjoy a petting zoo hosted by 2nd Chance Ranch and Rescue and meet the wrestlers who will compete later in the day. There will also be raffles and a live DJ.

At 6 p.m., doors open for the main event. In the “Light Speed Challenge,” 14 pro wrestlers will face off against each other and the clock for the title.

• Details: “Rides and Wrestling” happens from 3-6 p.m. Saturday. Free. “UCW Light Speed Challenge” happens from 6-9 p.m. $10-$25 for entry. Children under 10 are free. The Hall, 1330 U.S. 301, Palmetto.
• Info: facebook.com/ucwflorida

‘Jaws’ at Florida Maritime Museum

Rescheduled due to rain, Florida Maritime Museum in the historic fishing village of Cortez will kick off a new tradition this weekend with a free outdoor movie screening. The first “Movies at the Maritime” event will feature 1975 classic “Jaws.”

Bring your own blanket or chair and get comfortable; the screening will take place in the field adjacent to the museum.

Parking at the event site is limited, and guests are encouraged to walk, bike or boat to the museum. “If you are traveling by car, we recommend carpooling or a drop-off/pick-up arrangement from a friend or family member,” the event page says.

• Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Free.
• Info: floridamaritimemuseum.org/movies-at-the-maritime

Thomas the Train Engine adventure

This weekend, families can step right into an adventure from “Thomas & Friends” at the Florida Railroad Museum. The happy locomotive of storybook and TV fame will make several trips through east Manatee County. The experience includes games and photo ops.

Details: Trains leave hourly from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $23 per rider. Children under 1 free.

Info: 941-776-0906. frrm.org.

Watercolors on display at ArtCenter Manatee

This is the last weekend to catch two special exhibits at ArtCenter Manatee that feature colorful watercolor paintings from around Florida and the world.

The American Watercolor Society’s 154th annual International Traveling Exhibit includes the work of 40 artists, narrowed from a pool of more than 1,200 global entrants. ArtCenter Manatee is one of only three galleries in the nation and the only in Florida to host the exhibit this year. Entry to the exhibit is $5.

Also closing this weekend is the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society’s annual show. The display includes local and regional artists painting a delightfully wide variety of subject matter.

A free opening reception for both shows will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday.

• Details: Exhibits on display through March 18. Gallery hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon., Fri. and Sat.; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue., Wed. and Thurs. ArtCenter Manatee, 209 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. ArtCenter Manatee entry free; $5 to see AWS International Traveling Exhibit
  
  
• Info: artcentermanatee.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.

• 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 90 regional vendors. Offerings include produce, meat and seafood, prepared foods and breads, crafts, jewelry, plants and pet treats. Live music from a rotation of local musicians and yoga sessions are another regular feature at the market.

• Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Dr., 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

Newtown Sarasota Farmers Market offers local produce, fresh-baked goods and other items twice a week in the Newtown neighborhood. The market also hosts community gatherings including events for kids and food festivals.

• Details: 10 a.m.-5p.m. Friday and Saturday. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 2523 Cocoanut Ave., Sarasota.
• Info: newtownfarmersmarketsrq.org

Meadows Farmers Market: Started in Oct. 2021, the Meadows Farmers Market promises organic fruits and vegetables straight from local farmers. Other attractions include artisans, food vendors and live music. Events at the market include yoga, tai chi, wellness talks and holiday celebrations.

• Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Held in the parking lot of 5041 Ringwood Meadow, Sarasota.
• Info: sites.google.com/view/meadowsfarmersmarket

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.

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).

▪ Uncharted (PG-13): 8 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

▪ The Batman (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.

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 March 17, 2022 at 5:50 AM.