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10+ things to do near Bradenton this weekend: Manatee County Fair, art fests, home expo

Another January is weekend is here, and there’s plenty of local fun on tap to help you enjoy the new year.

Highlights this week include the second weekend of the Manatee County Fair and the Lakewood Ranch Fine Arts Festival.

Still need plans? We’ve got you covered.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, Jan. 20-22.

Manatee County Fair

The 107th annual Manatee County Fair is in full swing with fun for all ages. The event brings 11 days jam-packed with shows, food, music, midway rides, animals and agricultural displays to the fairgrounds in Palmetto.

Entertainment highlights this year include a circus, live wrestling shows and racing pigs.

Country artist Vegas McGraw, a Tim McGraw tribute act, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday.

Reasons to visit the fair on Saturday include the 11th annual Whip Popping Contest, a barbecue cook-off for charity and a doughnut-eating contest. The fair wraps up on Sunday.

  • Details: Jan. 12-22. Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto. 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.

Lakewood Ranch Fine Arts Festival

An art festival on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street this weekend will bring vendors displaying and selling a colorful variety of goods.

“Come explore an incredible outdoor gallery of original, handmade works by artisans from across America,” an event preview says.

Arts on display will include painting, sculpting, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, fiber and wearable art, mixed-media and woodworking.

Sarasota Open Air Fine Art Show

A juried fine arts and crafts showcase at Phillippi Estate Park this weekend will include paintings, clay, glass, sculpture, fiber, wood, jewelry and other art forms for sale. The event will also include a youth art competition.

Food vendors and live music will add to the fun.

  • Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
  • Info: artsandeducationinc.org

Home improvement expo

Looking for some HGTV-style inspiration? The Home Show, a home improvement expo, will arrive at Robarts Arena at the Sarasota Fairgrounds this weekend.

With around 100 exhibitors, the event offers a chance to check out the latest looks in remodeling, landscaping and decorating.

“Our events feature a wide selection of home improvement professionals in a fun, interactive environment,” organizers say.

  • Details: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Robarts Arena at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Free admission with online registration; $10 at the door.
  • Info: homeshowflorida.com

Village Bluegrass Festival

Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen in the Village of the Arts will host a two-day lineup of live bluegrass music this weekend.

Pair the music with a bite to eat from Cottonmouth’s menu of Southern favorites with a twist, plus craft beer and cider.

Lineup:

  • Applebutter Express | 7-10 p.m. Friday
  • Stillhouse Shakers | 1-2 p.m. Saturday
  • Sycamore Shade | 2:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday
  • Wandering Hours | 4-5 p.m. Saturday
  • Passerine | 5:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday
  • Stumble Creek | 7-8 p.m. Saturday
  • Details: 7-10 p.m. Friday and 1-8 p.m. Saturday. Cottonmouth Southern Soul Food, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton. $5 cover.
  • Info: facebook.com/cottonmouthSOUL

Live blues and brunch

Good food and good tunes are in store on Sunday at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille on the Bradenton Riverwalk.

The Bradenton Blues Brunch will feature a live performance from a blues act and a chef-crafted menu of brunch delights.

This month’s talent is local blues group Big D & The Dirty Deal, playing swing, Chicago blues and more.

The event is a partnership between the restaurant, Realize Bradenton and the Bradenton Blues Fest.

  • Details: Music from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday; brunch offered from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, Downtown Bradenton, 101 Riverfront Blvd. # 120, Bradenton. Reservations recommended.
  • Info: 941-896-9660. mattisons.com

Performing arts and shows

Next to Normal at Manatee Performing Arts Center: “An unflinching look at a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness,” a show preview says. “’Next to Normal’ is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.”

West Coast Black Theatre Troupe presents “Flyin’ West”: “In the 1890s, a group of African American women leave the oppressive South and settle in the all-Black town of Nicodemus, Kansas. Their hopes, dreams and determination to survive in a harsh region are tested as they build new lives for themselves and their families. With flashes of humor amid serious themes, “Flyin’ West” sheds new light on a chapter of American history that’s seldom told,” a show preview says.

The Island Players present “The Odd Couple (The Female Version)“: “Audiences first met mismatched roommates Felix and Oscar in 1965. Twenty years later, this revised version made its Broadway debut with Florence Unger and Olive Madison playing Trivial Pursuit (instead of poker) and pursuing the Spanish-born Costazuela Brothers,” a show preview says.

  • Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Jan. 12-29. $25 at box office; $27 online.
  • Info: theislandplayers.org

“What the Constitution Means to Me” at Florida Studio Theatre: “When Heidi Schreck was 15 years old, she put herself through college by winning debates about The Constitution across the country. In this inspiring new play, the playwright resurrects her teenage self in order to trace the document’s profound impact on four generations of women in her family.” (Florida premiere.)

  • Details: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Feb. 26. Playing at Florida Studio Theatre’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota,. Starting at $25-$39.

  • Info: floridastudiotheatre.org

Lynne Koplitz at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre: “Along with her own Netflix special, ‘Hormonal Beast,’ Lynne has appeared on ‘The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,’ ‘Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn,’ ‘Comedy Underground with Dave Attell’ and Jenny McCarthy’s comedy special ‘Dirty, Sexy, Funny,’” the comedian’s bio says.

  • Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, 6:30 and 8:50 p.m. Friday and Saturday. McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. $25.

  • Info: mccurdyscomedy.com

Farmers’ markets

Downtown Bradenton Public Market: This weekly market is a community gathering place that welcomes vendors offering fresh local produce, meat, pantry and home goods, packaged foods, plants, clothing, accessories and more.

Food, drink and dessert vendors make the market a great place to grab a tasty snack.

This year, the market is nearly doubling in size with plans to host about 100 vendors each week, including a core group of businesses and some rotating selections, organizers say.

The market also features live music performances from different regional artists each week. Kid’s activities, special events and cooking demonstrations add to the fun throughout the season.

The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch welcomes more than 90 regional vendors to Waterside Place each Sunday. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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