J F M A M J J A S O N D

Submit Your Event to Absolutely Florida!

March 1 - 11 12th Annual Anna Maria Island Springfest
Organization: Anna Maria Art League - Enjoy, browse and purchase the works of excellent artists and craftsmen from all over the country, entertainment both days by local groups and food concessions. Contact: Anna Maria Art League Phone: (941) 778-2099

March 1 - 31 Manatee Heritage Month
Manatee Heritage Month is an annual month-long celebration of Manatee County's rich history. Tours are sponsored by area historical groups to sites such as the Gamble Mansion, the Cortez Fishing Village and the Manatee Village Historical Park. There are also craft demonstrations of weaving, woodworking, quilting, basketry and doily making. Contact: Cathy Slusser Phone: (941) 741-4070

March 4 Gamble Plantation's Annual Open House
Come experience an authentic Civil War encampment. Free tours of the mansion and Patten house. Live canon and Civil War era weapons, period costumes, uniforms and Civil War field equipment. Early craft demonstrations. Fun, food, music, excitement and learning for the whole family!
Phone: (941) 723-4536

March 1 - April 30 Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training
Workouts are held at Pirate City from 10:00am - 1:30pm during March and April. Bring the whole family out to the ball game and indulge in hotdogs and peanuts, etc. while enjoying a day of American's favorite past time - Baseball. Phone: (941) 747-3031

March 10 - May 27 Corot to Picasso: European Masterworks
Ringling Museum of Art: Fifty-seven of the finest paintings and sculptures from Smith's distinguished collection of European art are featured in this traveling exhibition from the Smith College Museum of Art. The works represent a "Who's Who" of forty-one of Europe's leading masters including Monet, Corot, Courbet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Morisot, Cezanne, Seurat, Gauguin, Rousseau, bonnard, Kandinsky, Kirchner, Picasso, Gris and Leger. Phone: (941) 359-5700

APRIL
April 7 - 8 Florida Heritage Festival - Seafood Fest
Recognized as one of Florida's outstanding riverfront festivals, the Seafood Fest features some of the best seafood you'll find anywhere. Join in sampling delicious offerings from many of the area's finest restaurants. Live entertainment including country/western, gospel, rock & roll, craft booths, boat show, classic car show and a children's area. Contact: Hernando DeSoto Historical Society Phone: (Z94) 174-7199

April 13 Florida Heritage Festival-Childrens Parade
Time: 10:00am/The children's parade is one of the most adorable events you'll ever see. Floats designed and built by children parade along the historic avenues of Palmetto from the Manatee County Fairgrounds south on 10th Avenue W. A fair with food, entertainment, rides and an art show for children will follow. Contact: Hernando DeSoto Historical Society Phone: (941) 747-1998

April 14 Florida Heritage Festival Easter Egg Hunt
Kids ages 3 to 9 will search for a whopping 8,000 Easter eggs. Contact: Hernando Desoto Historical Society Phone: (941) 747-1998

April 21 Florida Heritage Festival-Plastic Bottle Boat Regatta
Experience the extremely popular Plastic Bottle Boat Regatta. Various teams build boats that float on plastic bottles and have only paddles for propulsion. Contestants race to determine who's the fastest, and most stylish. Bayside viewing for all with food and beverages available. Contact: Hernando DeSoto Historical Society Phone: (941) 747-1998

April 28 Florida Heritage Festival-Stadium Show/Grand Parade
The Florida Heritage Festival Grand Finale is the exciting Stadium Show and Grand Parade. Ranked among the most exciting and beautiful evening parades anywhere, the grand Parade of more than 100 entries will tour through Hawkins Stadium and delight the audience. Come grab a seat and enjoy the show! Contact: Hernando DeSoto Historical Society

March 10 - 27 Corot to Picasso: European Masterworks
Ringling Museum of Art: Fifty-seven of the finest paintings and sculptures from Smith's distinguished collection of European art are featured in this traveling exhibition from the Smith College Museum of Art. The works represent a "Who's Who" of forty-one of Europe's leading masters including Monet, Corot, Courbet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Morisot, Cezanne, Seurat, Gauguin, Rousseau, bonnard, Kandinsky, Kirchner, Picasso, Gris and Leger. Phone: (941) 359-5700

JUNE
June 1 - Aug 1 Extended Spring Training & Gulf Coast Leagues
Pittsburgh Pirates extended spring training and Minor Gulf Coast League Baseball games held at McKechnie Field Phone: (941) 747-3031

June 22 to the Dogs: Elliott Erwitt
In time for the "dog days of summer," this lighthearted exhibition of 108 black-and-white photographs on the theme of dogs initiates the Sarasota summer season at the Ringling Museum of Art. Dogs have been a conscious theme in Erwitt's work since the 1950s as he realized that, along with continuous amusement, dogs also provided him with a mirror of our human condition. As these pictures will testify, Erwitt seems to not accept humans as the highest "product" of evolution. Phone: (941) 359-5700

JULY
July 3 Bradenton Beach Fireworks Celebration
Time: Sundown/The third annual Bradenton Beach fireworks celebration will be held at the Beach House Restaurant. A spectacular 45 minute fireworks display will be shot from a barge in the water. Plenty of BBQ and drinks. Contact: Beach House Restaurant Phone: (941) 779-2222

July 4 July 4th Celebration
Fireworks, day-long party at Lamb-Sutton park. Fun for the entire family. Contact: Palmetto Chamber of Commerce Phone: (941) 723-4570

July 21 - 23 DeSoto Fishing Tournament
3rd Annual tournament starting with a Captains' Meeting at the Twin Dolphin Marina Grill followed by two days of fishing. After the weigh-in deadline, prizes will be awarded during a fun-filled ceremony at the Twin Dolphin Marina Grill. Guaranteed cash prizes to 1st thru 3rd place winners in Inshore and Offshore Divisions. Fee: $175. per Boat-Adult Division $ 75. per Boat-Junior Division Contact: Brenda Carr Phone: (941) 747-1998

July 21 Snooty the Manatee's 51st Birthday Bash
Featuring a Birthday Bash for the resident County mascot "Snooty". Punch and Birthday cookies for the kids. Every child wins a prize at game booths. Reduced admission to Museum and Planetarium. Coloring contest held for area children.

AUGUST
August 1 Extended Spring Training & Gulf Coast Leagues
Pittsburgh Pirates extended spring training and Minor Gulf Coast League Baseball games held at McKechnie Field

SEPTEMBER
September 15 to the Dogs: Elliott Erwitt
Ringling Museum of Art - In time for the "dog days of summer," this lighthearted exhibition of 108 black-and-white photographs on the theme of dogs initiates the Sarasota summer season at the Ringling Museum of Art. Dogs have been a conscious theme in Erwitt's work since the 1950s as he realized that, along with continuous amusement, dogs also provided him with a mirror of our human condition. As these pictures will testify, Erwitt seems to not accept humans as the highest "product" of evolution. Phone: (941) 359-5700

Sept 1 - Oct 31 Florida Instructional League
Florida minor league baseball teams compete against each other. Concession stands are not open, however, there are soda machines. Bring the family out for a fun day of baseball at the newly renovated McKechnie Field - Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Phone: (941) 747-3031