There's Always Something Going on In Bradenton

Bradenton, the largest city in Manatee County with approximately 50,000 residents, is located just to the north of Sarasota. Bradenton offers its residents and visitors an appealing relaxing and casual lifestyle.

Bradenton and its neighbor, Anna Maria Island, are fabulous places for young families, professionals, baby boomers, and retirees. Take leisurely walks on the beach, enjoy boating, fishing and sailing, including scuba diving. Play golf on its numerous public and private golf courses. The city of Bradenton is home to some of the nicest Bradenton Florida golf courses.

"But Bradenton is also so much more than that," says Andree Huffine, a well-known Sarasota luxury homes Realtor, "There is a constant flow of family-focused events and activities that are fun and entertaining for residents of all ages." For example, during just the past month, a number of family-focused events occurred including:

•The Annual Bradenton Holiday Boat Parade
A flotilla of boats of all sizes decorated with festive Christmas lights, inflatable statues and Christmas trees, manned by boisterous, fun-loving crews, participated in the 14th annual Bradenton Holiday Boat Parade.

The annual boat parade began at the Bradenton Yacht Club, went up to Tarpon Pointe and then returned to the yacht club for judging. Five judges chose the winners, basing their decisions on crew spirit, audience participation and creativity.

•A Winter Wonderland in Downtown Bradenton
It didn't snow anywhere else in Florida, but it snowed on Main Street in Bradenton, Florida one day in December.

A family friendly street party complete with a snow mountain and Santa Claus came to Bradenton for the 16th Annual Winter Wonderland Festival on Old Main Street. Children of all ages enjoyed this annual street party event known locally as the Bradenton Winter Wonderland.

•A Broadway Star Returns to Bradenton
One of biggest stage stars to emerge from Manatee-County area made her highly anticipated return to her hometown.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe brought back WBTT founding company member Teresa Stanley to join the cast in its season-opening show, “Love, Sung in the Key of Aretha.”

The 29-year-old has been loved by local theatergoers since she became known to them as a precocious teen on the local theater scene. Four years ago, Ms. Stanley realized her lifelong dream of reaching Broadway in the musical “The Color Purple.” She has since been in the national tours of the “30th Anniversary of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and the smash “Rock of Ages,”

•Village of the Arts Art Walk
The Village of the Arts is a downtown Bradenton community of over 35 artists living and working together in Florida’s largest art community. Art Walks are scheduled Friday and Saturday on the first weekend every month. The streets fill with art lovers looking for everything from affordable fine art, jewelry, ceramics, clothing and small furniture. There are bookshops, collectibles shops, gourmet cafes and more. Special events and art-related lectures open to the public are also held from time to time.

In addition to all the other attractions in the Sarasota - Bradenton area, Village of the Arts must be on the "to do" list of all Bradenton newcomers.

If you've been "on the fence" about when to visit the Sarasota - Bradenton area to find your dream home, you need to get serious about it now. Whether you are looking for a home for your own immediate use or to generate some income until you're ready to retire, you would be well-advised to visit the vibrant city of Bradenton, Florida real soon. Home prices are about as low as they are going to get. In fact, in some communities prices have already started to climb back upward.

Make your dream of a “Little Piece of Paradise” in Bradenton or on Anna Maria Island come true now while prices are still st historically low levels and interest rates are at rock-bottom levels.