Things to do near Bradenton this weekend: Cat Competition, pro wrestling, baseball
Another hot summer weekend in Manatee County approaches, and there is plenty of things to do in the Bradenton and Sarasota area that involve air conditioning or fun after the sun sets.
The Marauders will lead into the weekend with their Bradenton Nine Devils Tribute Night, this Friday and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Day on Saturday.
Other highlights this weekend are The Sarasota-Bradenton Cat Extravaganza and Rescue Awareness Event and the Christ Episcopal Church’s annual backpack giveaway.
There are free summer activities for kids, outdoor activities, art and theater events, workshops and live music events for everyone to enjoy.
Still, need plans this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend July 15-16.
Marauders Baseball
Bradenton Nine Devils Tribute Night, which remembers the Negro League club that played at McKechnie Field from 1937 through 1956, will be celebrated when the Marauders face the Dunedin Blue Jays on Friday.
The Marauders will then celebrate Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Saturday, with pregame music provided by Grupo Mango.
Details 9 a.m. Friday and 5: 15 p.m. Saturday. LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Tickets range from $8-$14.
Info www.milb.com
Cat Extravaganza and competition
The Sarasota-Bradenton Cat Extravaganza and Rescue Awareness Event, organized by Loving Cats Worldwide, will teach you all you need to know about cats.
Submit one to three cats to the International Cat Competition at www.lcwwgroup.us. Kitties will strut the runway and see who’s Best in Show. Cats will also be evaluated in four more categories: Best Kitten, Best Cat, Best Alter, and Best Household Pet.
The visitor will also get the opportunity to interact with several cat breeders, adopt and purchase from various vendors.
Details 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 1 Haben Boulevard Palmetto. Adult tickets $15, seniors 65+ and students $12, and Kids 5- 12 $7.
Info www.lcwwgroup.us.
Champion wrestling at the fairgrounds
The Manatee County Fairgrounds will host a championship wrestling match on Sunday. “Apokolyptic,” by Universal Championship Wrestling, will have high-flying maneuvers, passionate rivalries and jaw-dropping stunts that defy gravity with each match.
The main event will be “The Magnificent” Johnny Walker, the defending champion taking on the unstoppable behemoth known as “The Real” Drago.
Details 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. 1402 14th Ave W, Palmetto. Tickets: Front row $35, general admission $ 20, and kids under 10 are free.
Info ( 727)-490-8183
Backpack giveaway
Christ Episcopal Church in Bradenton will have its third annual backpack giveaway on Saturday.
The first 500 children will receive backpacks loaded with school supplies donated by church and community members.
Children and adult casual, rubber-based footwear will also be offered.
The church’s food pantry will provide food and drinks.
Details 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Saturday. 4030 Manatee Ave. West, Bradenton.
Info (941) 747-3709
Lowe’s Kids’ DIY-U Workshop
Lowe’s Home Improvement will host a free kid’s do-it-yourself class this Saturday. The children will construct a Tic-Tac-Toe Grill Game. Workshop spots must be secured online. The workshop will welcome walk-ins beginning at 1 p.m.
If you cannot arrive within the time you have chosen, your kit may be given away.
The deadline for reserving your child’s participation in the Workshop is July 14. Make a reservation here.
Details 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. 7395 52nd Place East, Bradenton.
Info (941) 756-1822
Sarasota Diverse Fest
Harvest Church in Sarasota will host its first Diverse Fest this Saturday, it’s a free family-friendly event open to everyone.
The purpose of the is event to shed light on the diversity in the city, celebrating BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and faith communities.
The event will have over 35 vendors, nonprofits, food trucks, live music and entertainment.
There will also be a book reading by Sarasota School Board Member Tom Edwards, and inspirational words from one of Rosa Parks’s personal friends and writer H.H. Leonards.
Details 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. 3650 17th Street, Sarasota.
Info (941) 266-6029
Comedy show in Sarasota
Take in some laughs this weekend at McCurdy’s Comedy Theater taking the stage will be singer, songwriter and funny man Pat Godwin.
Godwin’s quick-witted comedy has landed him on the show, “Last Comic Standing.” Godwin has also been a regular guest and contributed to the Howard Stern Radio show.
Details 6:30 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday. 3333 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota. Tickets $25.
Info (941) 925-3869
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.
Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Oct.-August. Old Main Street, Bradenton. Free.
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 bread, crafts, jewelry, plants and pet treats. Live music from a rotation of local musicians and yoga sessions are another regular feature at the market.
Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Dr., Lakewood Ranch. Free.
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.
Details: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Lemon Avenue and Main Street, downtown Sarasota.
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.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 2523 Cocoanut Ave., Sarasota.
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.
Details: Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday. 1707 First St. E., Bradenton.
Info: redbarnfleamarket.com.
