Happy weekend, Bradenton! In today’s happening-today edition: New sports hub plan, Persian tea party, and Juneteenth community festival + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New sports hub planned: East Manatee County approved an $80 million partnership to build a 190,000-square-foot indoor sports multiplex beside Lakewood Ranch Library, plus an 800-space paid garage with county revenue share from parking -- learn more about the deal.
Veteran benefits guidance: A free Disabled American Veterans benefits seminar will be held in Bradenton on June 23. Learn what you qualify for and how to request benefits through the National Guard -- learn what you qualify for.
Balancing neighborhood needs: Manatee County is reviewing vacation rental rules amid growth, examining enforcement, occupancy limits, and parking in neighborhoods to balance property rights with quality-of-life concerns for residents, owners, and visitors -- see the rental rule changes.
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Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Your midweek seafood fix: Anna Maria Oyster Bar - Cortez is the easy local move when you want oysters, a legit seafood lineup, and zero fuss. Indoor and patio seating, full bar, and a family-friendly vibe mean everyone’s happy. Treat yourself this week, then tell your neighbors you discovered it first.
Close-to-home getaway: Tucked along the Manatee River, Christian Retreat Campground delivers easy-escape vibes without a long drive. Dip in the pool, paddle a canoe, claim a pickleball court, and wind down by the campfire under those old-Florida oaks.
Dial in your swing: Indoor Fairways is Bradenton’s home base for year-round golf in a blissfully climate-controlled setup, perfect for dodging summer scorchers and random rain bursts. Dial in your numbers on Uneekor simulators running GSPro, enjoy the vibe with fellow locals, then flex that improved swing next weekend at your usual track.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🍵 Amme Khanoon's Persian Tea Party @ Art House | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 AM – Saturday calls for a proper sit and sip, so Art House is hosting a Persian tea party with tea flights, hot and iced. Expect original pastries, breads, and homemade hummus, plus local art you’ll pretend is “for the guest room,” then keep for yourself.
👨 2nd Annual Big Father's Day 5K @ Bradenton Riverwalk Regatta | Saturday (6/20) at 8:00 AM – The Big Father’s Day 5K is cruising the Bradenton Riverwalk, raising funds for the Big Bill Foundation, and letting dads flaunt those lucky tube socks. Run the 5K, stroll the 1-mile, or set the kids loose for a dash, then refuel with food and family.
🌿 Summer Fair @ Manatee River Garden Club | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Whether you're escaping the Florida sauna or just need an excuse to buy another plant, the Manatee River Garden Club has a free indoor fair with AC, plants, floral showpieces, handmade coastal finds, and nostalgic bake-sale sweets. Cash only, inside, rain or shine, Bradenton classic.
🧘 Yoga for Hope @ Embodied Health | Saturday (6/20) at 10:30 AM – Roll out your mat for a heart-centered, root-to-crown flow that benefits local nonprofit ALSO Youth, celebrates Pride, and leaves the joints less grumbly than usual. Wear rainbow, or whatever feels bright, toss in a $10 suggested donation, and call it community, self-care, and good karma.
✊ 2026 Manatee Juneteenth Community Festival @ 13th Avenue Dream Center | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Think of it as Manatee’s biggest family reunion, only you actually want to be there. A Juneteenth community festival honoring hard-won reunions after emancipation, it celebrates heritage, resilience, and togetherness, plus you will probably run into three cousins and your barber.
🛍 Third Saturday Market @ Village of the Arts | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Father’s Day weekend, wander the Village of the Arts for Third Saturday Market, then pretend you planned ahead. Meet the artists, poke around quirky galleries, try a hands-on project, and grab lunch, coffee, or something cold while you hunt down a not-a-tie gift.
🍞 Bread Making Class @ Breadsmith of Bradenton | Sunday (6/21) at 12:00 PM – Think your kitchen skills can rise, or at least proof? In this hands-on class, make pizza from scratch, then turn out cinnamon rolls for Mother’s Day, sweet, warm, and nostalgic. It’s flour on your shirt, great smells, and bragging rights at the family table. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Bradenton report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 15%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 107. West wind 2 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. Heat index values as high as 103. West northwest wind 2 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 12%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind 2 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. West wind 2 to 9 mph. This house is wildThis grand two-story home opens with a soaring entry, French-door office, and a tucked-away guest suite with laundry access. The open family room brings in tons of light through a wall of windows, while the kitchen adds an island with seating and a walk-in pantry. Upstairs, a game room, flex space, and Hollywood bath keep things lively.
Take a peek inside → |
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