Bradenton throws support behind 2016 Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta

BRADENTON -- "Ya Gotta Regatta" will be the theme of the 2016 Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta, Integrated Strategic Marketing President Mike Fetchko declared after a unanimous Bradenton City Council vote Wednesday to approve and set Feb. 6 as next year's date.

It is already being touted as bigger and better than 2015's inaugural event.

And organizers say they are working hard to address concerns that the event is not a good deal for the city of Palmetto.

"We are first, focused, ready and prepared to begin," Fetchko said prior to the council's vote. "It's 10 months away, and we are ready to go. We have the date locked and loaded for Formula 2 and HydroCross, and it will once again be the first race of the F2 series."

Bradenton joins Manatee County and the Manatee County Tourist Development Council in renewing support for an event that brought an estimated 80,000 attendees and an economic impact of $8 million to Bradenton in February.

Yet to join in providing support is the city of Palmetto, which is resisting until it receives more assurances that the city will benefit from the event.

Organizers said those as

surances are coming and will be worked on daily.

The DeSoto Historical Society is stepping in to help enliven things on the north side of Manatee River, according to incoming president Terry Wilson. Despite the tone from Palmetto's dais in recent weeks, those in talks with Palmetto officials see a spirit of cooperation.

Wilson said his talks with city officials so far "have been very positive." He said it was easy to see the problems Palmetto was having on the day of the event and knew things could be handled better.

"That's what we are going to do," said Wilson. "We know festivals, and we want to create a festival atmosphere. The next step for us is to meet with Palmetto businesses and help them to help themselves. When you look at St. Pete and the Tampa area, all arrows point straight to Palmetto. There's no reason why we can't make Palmetto a destination during the regatta."

Incoming chair Jeff Rodgers said the DeSoto organization, which sponsors a seafood festival and other events, is a perfect fit because, "both cities trust us with our events. We work to create a balance and historically bridge the two cities."

City council members also urged more cooperation in meeting Palmetto's needs.

Fetchko said not all of it will be possible, but he is looking at possibly extending the F2 race course closer to Palmetto without violating the event's permits. He will also move the HydroCross championship to the Palmetto side.

"What we might be able to do is not use the fishing pier for fireworks and just have it for spectator viewing," Fetchko said. "We understand the obligation to bring more water and land events to the Palmetto side. I can see a kids' zone in Palmetto, extreme-sports exhibitions and more food and beverage."

More refreshments will be one of the priorities for organizers on both sides of the river. Fetchko said planning will include using even more of Riverwalk for additional activities.

"We only used about 60 percent of Riverwalk," he said. "I'd like to see more real estate activated and want to push the activities even further east on Riverwalk. I'd also like to see Riverside Drive in Palmetto opened for the same kind of programing use."

Fetchko also called his conversations with Palmetto positive.

"I'm 100 percent confident that we will get things worked out and I'm anxious to have more discussions about what we want to do," he said.

Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant wants those discussions as well, especially if they produce the "iron-clad guarantees" the city is looking for, she said.

"People were upset with how Palmetto was treated," she said. "This commission and myself are accountable to our businesses and taxpaying citizens, and need assurances that what happened last time isn't going to happen again."

Palmetto is encouraged by the involvement of the DeSoto society, Bryant said.

"I'm delighted DeSoto is involved and is probably the only thing in my mind that is keeping the door open," she said. "But I don't want them to fall short because of any lack of funding commitment, either. I would like to give this one more chance, but only if we can get those kind of commitments."

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter @urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published April 9, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bradenton throws support behind 2016 Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta."