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9 weekend events near Bradenton: Boat Show, Fire Charity Fest, US Rowing championships

Robyn Murrell
·5 min read
James A. Jones Jr./jajones1@bradenton.com

It’s the first weekend of June, and there’s plenty of local fun going on in and around Bradenton that the entire family can enjoy.

Highlights this weekend include the third annual Fire Charity Festival, the Bradenton Boat Show, and Teen Fest Manatee.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, June 10-11.

Bradenton Boat Show 2023

The annual Bradenton Boat Show, a three-day event, will be underway Friday at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto. There will be displays of clothing, boating accessories, and fishing gear.

This event is more than simply a boat show. It’s a celebration of all things maritime. It is a gathering spot for those interested in sea life and boating enthusiasts.

Adult tickets are $6, and children 12 and under are free. Parking is free.

Fire Charity Fishing Tournament and Festival

The third annual charity event, a two-day festival, will take place at Riverside Park in Palmetto.

This is a free event that the entire family may enjoy. There will be live music, a kid’s zone, over 50 vendors, food trucks, and adult beverages.

Live show lineup:

  • 11-12:15 p.m. - Steven Paradis

  • 12:45-1:45 p.m. - Bradentucky Death Rays

  • 2:15-3:15 p.m. - Smokey Daniels Band

  • 3:30- 4:30 p.m. - Ten 76

  • 4:45-6 p.m. - Westbound and Down

  • 6:15-8 p.m. - 301 Travelers

There will also be a special appearance on Saturday by Wicked Tuna star Paul Hebert.

MBCC Golf Tournament

The Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce will host its fifth annual golf tournament on Saturday.

The tournaments will be held at Heritage Harbour Golf Club in Bradenton.

Three Mulligans will be $10, individuals $125, and a foursome $500.

All CDC COVID-19 recommendations will be followed during the golf tournament.

MBCC is a nonprofit that is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African-American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the U.S. and via interaction with the African Diaspora, according to the nonprofit’s website.

US Rowing Youth Championships

Benderson Park will host the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships this week. With almost 4,000 competitors expected to compete, this will be the largest event in U.S. Rowing.

224 clubs will compete for championship titles throughout the four-day event. The event will bring together crews from throughout the country to crown national champions.

If you would like to attend, general admission spectator tickets are $89 for a four-day pass and $69 for a Sunday-only pass. Also, Finish Line Zone spectator tickets are $179, and VIP spectator tickets are $349.

Tickets can be purchased at www.showpass.com.

  • Details: 7:30-6 p.m.Thursday-Sunday. 5851 Nathan Benderson Cir, Sarasota

  • Info: usrowing.org

Teen Fest Manatee

Blake Medical Hospital and Drug-Free Manatee will host a free event at the Riverwalk for teens and youth in Manatee County.

The festival will have a live DJ, food trucks, giveaways and T-shirts. The event is to encourage youth in Manatee County to make wise, healthy and smart decisions. Additionally, there will be substance abuse prevention education and a simulator for driving while intoxicated.

  • Details: 10-2 p.m. Saturday. Riverwalk, 452 3rd Avenue West, Bradenton

  • Info: (941) 748-4501 drugfreemanatee.org

Respite Care Fun Day

A nonprofit organization, Joyful Friends, hosts a Respite Care Fun Day for parents, guardians and caregivers by providing a fun, safe and welcoming atmosphere for kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their siblings.

Parents are encouraged to drop off their kids and spend the rest of the day as they wish.

Children will enjoy a day filled with activities including crafts, storytime and games. Pizza will be provided.

Enchanted Tea Party

An afternoon tea party includes a sing-along, storytime, a lesson in tea etiquette, a meet and greet with the princess and more.

Pink lemonade, tea, cookies and finger sandwiches will be served at tea time. Parents and siblings under 12 months do not need a ticket. However, tea party participation is only for children with tickets.

Children’s tickets are $59.99 and must be purchased in advance at www.partypalacesrq.com.

Free Kid’s comic book workshop

Keep your child’s creative juices flowing. Bat City Comics is offering a free comic book workshop.

Kids can make their own comic book and earn everything they need to bring their story to life, panel by panel.

The class is open to kids ages 5 -18.

Details: 3-5 p.m. Saturday. 915 Manatee Ave E, Bradenton

Info: (941) 714-0402 or batcity.org

TrueLife movie

“TrueLife,” a SOZO Films production, will be shown for one night only at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.

The film shows how today’s youth engage in crime, drug usage, gang activity, and misuse of social media, and how their poor decisions cause them to end up as another statistic in the criminal justice system.

Tickets for the movie cost $5.

Resin Art Workshop

Sip and create beachy-inspired resin art at this beginner-friendly workshop at Gypseasoul in Bradenton.

The workshops are BYOB and will both be held on Saturday.

Glam glass resin art will be the focus of the first workshop, and resin wave jewelry will be the second. While supplies will be given, participants are welcome to bring their own.