Regatta weekend is here. Bradenton’s biggest event returns with a drone show and more

The Bradenton Area River Regatta returns this weekend with powerboat races and family fun on both sides of the Manatee River, and there are new some surprises in store for 2023.

The event typically concludes with fireworks, but organizers are shaking things up this year with a new grand finale: an aerial drone-powered light show that will be visible from the Green Bridge between Bradenton and Palmetto.

“Produced by the leading drone light-performance company in the country, Sky Elements, the light show will be musically choreographed and cap the day’s activities with vivid, colorful and brilliant technology,” a Regatta news release says.

Also new this year is stunt jet ski performer Chris Anyzeski who will join returning favorite, flyboard rider Kristen “The Destroyer” Smoyer, to entertain crowds between powerboat races. Both have won world championships in their respective sports.

Here’s a look at what else is on deck for the eighth annual Bradenton Area River Regatta.

Powerboat races

The 2023 regatta will feature two classes of powerboat racing.

Formula 2 powerboat races, the mainstay of the event over the years, will be back to pit national competitors against one another in high-speed runs down the Manatee River. The boats can reach speeds of around 120 mph.

Also returning this year are the lighter and smaller SST-45 “Formula Lights” powerboats. The boats reach top speeds around 70 mph and allow for a more agile racing experience.

The regatta kicks off the American Power Boat Association’s annual circuit and is one of the largest powerboat events in the U.S.

The races can be viewed from both sides of the Manatee River as well as from atop the Green Bridge, which will be closed to auto traffic from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Powerboat racing schedule:

• 10:30 a.m.-noon: Test runs
• 1 p.m.: Formula 2 qualifying heats
• 2 p.m.: SST-45 qualifying heats
• 4 p.m.: Formula 2 final
• 5 p.m.: SST-45 final

Live music

Live music acts will perform throughout the day on stages in Bradenton and Palmetto.

At the Bradenton stage, Moonflower Band (Carlos Santana tribute), previous “American Idol” contestant Sam Woolf and Lazy Bonez (Journey, Bon Jovi and Van Halen tribute) will headline. In Palmetto, the Andy Pursell Band and Soul Circus Cowboys will play.

Live music schedule in Bradenton:

• 11 a.m.: Del Couch Music Education Foundation students
• Noon: Sweet Fleet (Fleetwood Mac cover band)
• 1 p.m.: Trevor Bystrom Band (world/rock/reggae/Latin and blues)
• 2:15 p.m.: Bella Garland Band (singer-songwriter)
• 3:30 p.m.: Moonflower Band (Carlos Santana tribute),
• 5 p.m.: Sam Woolf (singer-songwriter)
• 5:30 p.m.: The Blooze Brothers (The Blues Brothers tribute band)

Live music schedule in Palmetto:

• 11 a.m.: Del Couch Music Education Foundation students

• Noon: 301 Travelers Band (country rock)

• 1:15 p.m.: Eric Von Band (country rock)

• 2:15 p.m.: Billy Rice Band (country rock)

• 3:30 p.m.: Andy Pursell Band (country)

• 5:30 p.m.: Soul Circus Cowboys (Southern rock)

Family festival fun

The regatta brings free family fun to both sides of the Manatee River.

The De Soto Little Anglers Fishing Tournament will start off the regatta activities at the Green Bridge Fishing Pier. The youth fishing event is free to enter and lasts from 8:30-10 a.m.

On the Bradenton side of the regatta, visitors will find shows featuring dogs that leap for flying disks and perform stunts and a daredevil variety show. A family fun zone and food festival on the Bradenton Riverwalk main lawn will be open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

In Palmetto, a display of vintage powerboats will be out at the Riverside Boat Ramp, and another family fun zone with kids rides will be open at Riverside West Park from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan zone will also be set up at the park from noon to 3:30 p.m.

The day will conclude with the Sky Elements drone light show around 7 p.m.

This story was originally published February 9, 2023 at 9:30 AM.