7 Father’s Day weekend events near Bradenton: Juneteenth, circus, music and more

Ryan Ballogg
·4 min read

A hot June weekend is here, and there’s plenty of local fun going on in and around Bradenton that the entire family can enjoy.

It’s also a double holiday weekend, with Father’s Day on Sunday and and Juneteenth on Monday.

Other highlights this weekend include a national youth soccer tournament in Lakewood Ranch and the Summer Circus Spectacular at The Ringling.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, June 16-18.

Juneteenth events

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., and local organizations will celebrate with educational events and parties.

Juneteenth Reading Conference: This educational event for youth in grades 1-5 will feature storytelling, arts and crafts, African drumming and hip hop music and movement. Free breakfast and lunch are included, and there will also be giveaways and prizes.

The event will happen at two locations in Bradenton:

  • Session 1: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday. Manatee Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Ave., Bradenton. Free but space limited; registration required.

  • Session 2: 1:30-3 p.m. Friday. 13th Avenue Dream Center, 922 24th St. E., Bradenton. Free. No registration required.

  • Info: recess4all.org. 941-348-6679.

Juneteenth Community Festival: This free outdoor festival will feature Black heritage and history, cultural and ethnic foods, a children’s parade, a poetry contest and music.

  • Details: 1-6 p.m. Saturday. 13th Avenue Dream Center, 922 24th St. E., Bradenton. Free.

  • Info: recess4all.org. 941-348-6679.

Juneteenth Fashion Show: The Juneteenth Generations Fashion Show at the Palmetto Youth Center promises “an unforgettable evening of elegance, culture and inspiring fashion moments.”

“Join us as models grace the runway wearing stunning outfits that pay homage to the rich African American heritage,” a preview says.

Dad’s Day Block Party at The Mall at UTC

A Father’s Day celebration this Saturday at The Mall at University Town Center will include sports, food and drink and family fun.

Activities include try mini golf, ax throwing, batting cages, sword fighting demos, animal encounters, photo booths and over 30 local exhibitors.

Visitors will also have a chance to meet players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning, plus Tampa Bay Rays representatives.

  • Details: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota. Free parking and entry.

  • Info: mallatutc.com/dadsday

Premier SuperCopa comes to Lakewood Ranch

This weekend, Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch will host Premier SuperCopa, an invitation-only soccer tournament for top youth soccer players from around North America.

Over 500 individual games will be played during the four-day tournament with over 3,000 players competing. Premier SuperCopa has girl’s and boy’s divisions with brackets for players under age 9 through under age 12.

  • Details: Thursday through Sunday. Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Free for spectators.

  • Info: premiersupercopa.com

Summer Circus Spectacular

The Summer Circus Spectacular is a nine-week circus arts revue that brings together performers from around the world for a thrilling show at the Historic Asolo Theatre in Sarasota.

This year’s showcase includes aerial arts, balancing acts, clowns and juggling.

The circus is a production of Sarasota non-profit The Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling.

  • Details: Performances run through August 12. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday. Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Adults: $20. Children 12 and under: $13.

  • Info: 941-360-7399. circusarts.org

Sarasota Music Festival

The Sarasota Music Festival showcases exceptional classical music performers from around the U.S. and the world. A select batch of fellows work with a guest faculty of experienced “music masters” to hone their art and present public performances.

“Our 2023 Festival will celebrate the mysterious and magical power of music as we present a rich range of works, both familiar and new, that invite us to set our imaginations ablaze, and illustrates our Festival theme: The Power of Storytelling Through Music,” organizers say.

  • Details: Festival runs through June 24. Concerts held at Sarasota Orchestra’s Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota and the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.

  • Info: 941-953-3434. sarasotaorchestra.org/festival