Stage is set for third annual Bradenton Area River Regatta

With good weather forecast, the third annual Bradenton Area River Regatta’s stage is set for a full Saturday of free family fun, featuring the largest field of competitors yet in both the Formula 2 powerboat and Hydrocross racing events.

“We are excited and delighted for the third annual Bradenton Area River Regatta and ready to thoroughly entertain families on the water, land and in the air,” regatta organizer Mike Fetchko said. “The partnership and support of the cities, county, state and all respective agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard have been outstanding and we are ready for a super Saturday of free family fun.”

Overnight lows on Friday night may mean some cooler weather for the first two events of the day, which are the Saint Stephen’s 5K Falcon Run and One-Mile Fun Run. The Hernando De Soto Historical Society’s Little Anglers Fishing Tournament begins at 8 a.m. on the Palmetto Fishing Pier. Entry forms are still available on the society’s website at desotohq.com.

The tournament is free and open to children ages 5-12. The first 150 participants will receive a free rod and reel, and representatives from Fish Florida will be on hand for personalized instruction.

While the kids are baiting hooks in Palmetto, runners will be gathering in Bradenton on the corner of 12th Street West and Barcarrota Avenue at the entrance of Pier 22 for an 8:30 a.m. start to both the 5K competitive event and the family-oriented Fun Run. The course will take runners over the Green Bridge into Palmetto and back again.

Visit the Saint Stephen’s website at saintstephens.org for registration through Friday afternoon. Fees are $15 for runners younger than 18 and $20 for 18 and up. Race-day entries also will be accepted for $30.

Green Bridge closures and rules

The Green Bridge will close at 4 a.m. Saturday morning and will reopen around 11 p.m. Saturday night. Regatta spectators can obtain prime viewing spots for the Formula 2 racing on the east side of the river and Hydrocross racing on the west side on a first-come, first-serve basis. Coolers are allowed on the bridge, but according to Bradenton Public Works Director Jim McLellan, “are subject to inspection by law enforcement.”

The regatta is alcohol-free with the exception of the beer garden on the Palmetto side of the river. Water also will be sold on the bridge during the event.

The regatta will offer two 35-seat, open-air trolleys that will make a constant loop over the bridge between Bradenton and Palmetto throughout the event following the conclusion of the 5K run. The bridge will be cleared prior to the fireworks show at 6:45 p.m.

Traffic, parking and road closures

With pleasant weather expected for Saturday’s event, organizers are expecting the third annual event to match or exceed the 2015 event, which drew an estimated 80,000 people throughout the day.

“We encourage motorists who are attending the regatta to carpool or use public transportation,” states a release from the city of Bradenton.

Road closures in Bradenton during the regatta include 12th Street West between Manatee Avenue West to Barcarrota Boulevard, Ninth Street West between Manatee Avenue West and the Green Bridge, and the westbound lane of Third Avenue West between Ninth Street West and U.S. 301. Palmetto will close down Riverside Drive between Eighth and Ninth avenues west.

Traffic maps and race course maps are at the Bradenton Area River Regatta website. Parking maps for the cities of Bradenton and Palmetto can be found on Bradenton’s website at cityofbradenton.com.

A limited area for watching the races from boats will be set on the east side of the CSX Railroad bridge. A map of the site can be found at cityofbradenton.com. Drones are prohibited at the regatta. Marine wildlife observation helicopters will be in the air throughout the racing, as well as helicopter tours.

This story was originally published February 2, 2017 at 3:15 PM with the headline "Stage is set for third annual Bradenton Area River Regatta."