Here are 10+ biggest events not to miss in Bradenton, Sarasota in first half of 2022

With plenty of sunshine and temperatures often at their most pleasant, Bradenton and Sarasota stay bustling with big events throughout the first half of the year.

Regional happenings — from festivals, fairs and art events to circuses, parades and spring training — showcase the unique character and culture of Southwest Florida.

2022 will mark the return of some popular events that went on hiatus due to COVID-19, such as the Bradenton Area River Regatta.

Here’s a guide for visitors and locals alike to some of the events you won’t want to miss around Bradenton in the first half of 2022.

Bradenton Area River Regatta

Billed as “Manatee County’s Largest Spectator Event,” this area tradition will return with a splash in 2022.

The Bradenton Area River Regatta features a day of high-speed watersports and powerboat races on the Manatee River, as well as live music and family fun in both Bradenton and Palmetto.

Regatta visitors can also enjoy family fun zones, a local food festival, stunt dog and daredevil shows and more.

On the Bradenton music stage, tribute bands Almost ABBA and The Blooze Brothers will headline. In Palmetto, country acts the Randy McNeeley Band and the Andy Pursell Band will play.

The day will conclude with a fireworks spectacular over the Manatee River from Zambelli Fireworks.

• Details: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 12. Regatta takes place on both sides of the Manatee River, in Bradenton an Palmetto, near the Green Bridge. Free.
• Info: bradentonarearegatta.com

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival

Home to colorful cottages, popular seafood restaurants and sweet views of the Intracoastal waterway, Cortez is one of Florida’s few remaining active fishing villages. As such, the area is steeped in maritime history.

Started up in 1981, the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival celebrates the community’s legacy with live music, nautical arts and crafts, children’s activities, marine science exhibits, seafood and other tasty eats and drinks.

The festival benefits the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, a Cortez nonprofit that is working to save and restore one of the last undeveloped pieces of coastline in the area: the FISH Preserve.

• Details: Feb. 19 and 20. 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Ages 13 and up: $5. Ages 12 and under: Free.
  
  
• Info: cortez-fish.org/fishing-festival.html

Thunder by the Bay

This annual bash at the Sarasota Fairgrounds celebrates motorcycles and rock ‘n’ roll in the name of charity.

The event features a full three-day lineup of live music; ‘90s glam rock balladeers FireHouse will headline the festival on Saturday, Feb. 18.

The festival grounds will have over 100 vendors, a 17-class bike show, freestyle acts, a food court and a tented full bar, organizers say. And crowds can also watch motorcycle-themed events including a “stereo sound-off” contest and a burnout contest. Inside Robarts Arena, also on the festival grounds, visitors will find “Thunder Alley,” a display of custom motorcycles, cars and trucks.

The final day of the festival includes a charity motorcycle ride that ends at the fairgrounds. The festival benefits Suncoast Charities for Children, which distributes funds to area nonprofits.

• Details: Feb. 18-20. Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. $5 on Feb. 18 and 20; $10 on Feb. 19. Ages 12 and under: free.
• Info: thunderbythebay.org

St. Barbara Greek Festival

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s 38th annual “Glendi” (a festival celebrating Greek culture) will include a wide array of Greek food, drink and dessert.

The event is also known for its shopping vendors, live Greek music and traditional dances.

A lucky raffle winner will get to choose between a new car or $30,000 cash, and other prizes are also up for grabs.

The event benefits a different local charity each year.

• Details: Feb. 18-20. St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota.
• Info: stbarbarafestival.org.

Manatee Pride Festival

The seventh annual Manatee Pride Festival, delayed due to COVID-19, will return to the Bradenton Riverwalk this March.

Organizers say the event will include live entertainment, bands and music, vendors, food, beer and refreshments as well as health checks.

The festival benefits Also Youth, a non-profit that serves LGBTQ youth in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

• Details: Noon-5 p.m. March 5. Bradenton Riverwalk.
• Info: alsoyouth.org/manatee-pride-2022
  
  

Sarasota County Fair

The Sarasota County Fair has all the bases covered for family fun. Find midway rides, live music and shows, food, exhibits featuring live animals and more.

Arts, crafts, horticulture and culinary skills will also be on display.

The event will celebrate its 86th season in 2022. Details for this year’s fair are to-be-announced.

• Details: March 18-27. Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
• Info: sarasotafair.com

Sarasota Film Festival

The Sarasota Film Festival draws audiences each year for a carefully curated line-up of independent and outside-the-box film, from international movies to local and regional projects. Screenings at Sarasota movie theaters and venues include narrative, documentary and short film.

Public talks featuring filmmakers and actors are another highlight of the festival. Past guests have included renowned directors and Hollywood actors.

The festival also promotes the future of film making with Independent film contests; audiences can see the results during public screenings.

Details for this year’s festival, set for early April, are to-be-announced.

• Details: April 1-10.
• Info: sarasotafilmfestival.com

De Soto Grand Parade

Manatee County’s biggest parade of the year happens each April, and it draws tens of thousands of spectators from the Tampa Bay area.

The parade is the finale of a month-long heritage festival held by the non-profit Hernando de Soto Historical Society. It features over 150 entries. They include colorful illuminated floats decorated by local organizations and schools, marching bands and emergency vehicles. Kids can load up on beads and coins.

In an old Manatee County tradition, chairs begin to appear along the parade route days before the event as locals stake out choice viewing spots.

• Details: 7 p.m. April 30.

• Route: Parade begins at Manatee High School, travels west on Ninth Avenue West, north on 39th Street West and then east on Manatee Avenue West, ending at Ninth Street West.

• Info: desotohq.com/parade

Circus Sarasota

The Circus Art Conservatory’s annual spectacular returns in Feb. 2022 with a lineup that promises major thrills.

The three-week-long showcase will be headlined by Bello Nock; the famous stunt artist, clown and Sarasota native is known for his world record-setting tightrope skills, daredevil acts and appearances on “America’s Got Talent.” Nock will be joined by his youngest daughter Annaliese Nock, a world-record-holding daredevil artist in her own right.

Other entertainers in this year’s event hail from countries and circuses around the U.S. and the world, and they include: a hand-balancing act; a slack wire artist; a speed juggler; a trapeze artist; a horse-riding act; and a troupe of trick-performing rescue dogs.

• Details: Feb. 11-March 6. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. $20-$60. Children under two: free.
• Info: circusarts.org

Forks and Corks

This foodie festival brings several days of dining and drinking events to area restaurants and venues.

Forks and Corks raises funds for the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a coalition of local and independent restaurants that promotes the area’s dining scene.

Events include curated tastings at member restaurants and food and wine seminars. The highlight of the festival is “The Grand Tasting,” a celebration held in the courtyard of The Ringling Museum in Sarasota; it offers the chance to try fine wines and beers paired with dishes from local restaurants.

Typically held in the early part of the year, the 2022 dates and ticket sales are yet to be announced.

Check eatlikealocal.com/forksandcorks for updates.

Spring training and Bradenton Marauders return

The Pittsburgh Pirates will return to their home away from home at LECOM Park this February for spring training. That means locals and visitors will have a chance to head to the stadium and watch the team batter up against competitors like the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays.

• Details: Spring training home games scheduled for Feb. 26-March 29. LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. $19-$35.
• Info: mlb.com/pirates/spring-training

The Florida State League’s Bradenton Marauders will kick off their season at LECOM Park in April. The team’s home games feature frequent special events, including fireworks, themed nights, food and drink specials and giveaways.

• Details: First home series begins April 12. LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Ticket prices to-be-announced.
• Info: milb.com/bradenton.

Food and music festivals

Entertainment company Paragon Events hosts frequent seafood and music festivals in Southwest Florida, and there are several coming to the Bradenton-Sarasota area in the early part of 2022. Here’s a roundup:

Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival, March 12-13, Downtown on Main Street, Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Arts & Crafts Festival, April 23-24, Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota Blues & BBQ Festival, May 6-8 at Robarts Arena in Sarasota

Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival, May 20-22 at JD Hamel Park in Sarasota

• Info: paragonartevents.com

Manatee County Fair

The Manatee County Fair kicks of Florida’s fair season each January. The event celebrates its 106th year in 2022, and it will feature 11 days of rides, food, shows, music and family fun in Palmetto.

In addition to a midway, fried delights and other typical fair fun, the Manatee County Fair also showcases the area’s agricultural lifestyle. 4-H and Future Farmers of America programs are a central part of the fair, and they include displays and competitions including cattle, swine, poultry, rabbits and plants.

• 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.

This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 5:00 AM.