BRADENTON BEACH – The city celebrated its hurricane recovery and the reopening of businesses following the hurricanes at Christmas on Bridge Street on Dec. 7.
Bridge Street was closed to vehicular traffic from 2-11 p.m. as attendees enjoyed music, food and retail offerings at newly-reopened shops.
The first retailer to reopen, Rejane Monetti, who owns Monetti Apparel and Lourdes Boutique, designed a shirt logo to celebrate the city’s recovery. She is donating all proceeds from the sales of the shirts to hurricane recovery efforts in Bradenton Beach.
“I have gratitude, and I created art, and I am donating whatever we sell to a fund that the city is starting for the recovery,” Monetti said. “This is an outline of Noah’s Ark with our island inside because I feel we were protected.”
The logo says, ‘Bridge Street Strong’ because Monetti said there is a very strong sense of community in the city’s shopping district.
“I’m very grateful to be part of this community,” she said.
Monetti had reached out to Bradenton Beach City Attorney Ricinda Perry with her idea to create a product to benefit the community.
“I went to her (Perry) and I said I want to create art and I don’t want the money,” Monetti said. “It can be for the merchant’s association; it can be for the city’s recovery, but that money is going to go in a fund she created.”
The logo’s sunset-colored background has significance to Monetti.
“The reason for the sunset is because no matter what happens, we have the best sunset in the world,” she said.
BRADENTON BEACH –Christmas on Bridge Street on Saturday, Dec. 7 will bring food, music and a celebration of the city’s hurricane recovery to its main shopping district.
“We’re having Christmas on Bridge Street like we’ve not had Christmas on Bridge Street,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Nov. 21 city commission meeting.
The city is partnering with the Bridge Street Merchants for the event.
“The merchant’s group said we’re overwhelmed, financially we’re tapped out. We’re just trying to stand back up and move ourselves forward,” Perry said. “And so we are making it happen.”
Budweiser will sponsor the event with a stage and alcoholic beverages. Perry is reaching out to local bands to provide music. A lineup of activities has not yet been announced.
“I’m still planning on having the Table of Hope,” she said. “We’re having a video where people can submit pictures of things they have seen or have experienced and we’re going to be playing that on a loop for people to see what we’ve done; we’re going to get that banner signed by anybody who wants to write anything they want on it.”
Perry said there will be limited free food offerings and attendees are also encouraged to support area restaurants. The street will be closed, and she invites local businesses, including those throughout the Island and Cortez, to participate as pop-up vendors.
“I don’t care if you’re in Holmes Beach or Anna Maria or Cortez, you were part of all this and I want you to be part of our celebration,” Perry said. “It will be a little food festival, with our Table of Hope to remind people to respect us in what we’ve been through but celebrate us because we’re strong and will come back stronger.”
The event kicks off at 2 p.m. and there will be kid-friendly activities early in the day. As the event progresses into the evening there will be an alcohol and noise ordinance waiver.
“People can have a great time celebrating, taking a breather from the reality of what you have been through, the hurt you have experienced,” she said.
Perry said, in addition to Budweiser, other businesses have made donations.
“Publix gave us $1,000,” she said. “We’re getting food and water from Wawa. I ran into Shawn Kaleta this morning and he asked me how much money we need. He will make sure his parking lot, and it is a business too, will reduce his parking fees down to something that is easier for people to pay.”
Perry said she was still working out details of the event, but said, “We know we’re not perfect, but it’s that imperfection that is perfect. And we want to celebrate that, so Dec. 7 is our big party that we’re back.”
BRADENTON BEACH – As Bridge Street comes back to life with merchants reopening businesses following back-to-back hurricanes, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) discussed their vision for the area, including Christmas on Bridge Street.
“We had already paid to complete the pergola, and we know that’s an important vision for the street, and in talking with Chief (John) Cosby one of the goals and objectives we have that ties in with is that we are going to be open and supporting Christmas on Bridge Street,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at the Oct. 17 CRA meeting. “That is not an option, that is going to happen.”
She said Bridge Street merchants have been working hard to get up and running by Nov. 23.
“It is my goal to execute what we’re going to call our Table of Hope, and that is going to be our kickoff to Christmas on Bridge Street,” Perry said. “The Table of Hope we put together for everybody who’s been a part of this experience, we’re going to shut Bridge Street down, line it with tables, get a bolt of fabric, we’re going to write what we want on that fabric and we’re going to hang that banner over our street for everybody to know that we are strong, that we are standing and that we are a hopeful community.”
The date for that event has not yet been determined.
“Mayor and I are going to be working with the decorators,” Perry said. ”It may not be pretty but it’s going to be something and we’re going to celebrate that heart of the city. “
She invited community members to reach out with thoughts and ideas.
“The merchants are certainly pressed to get where they need to be,” she said, noting that multiple businesses in Bradenton Beach have already reopened including Daiquiri Deck, Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier, SALT Bar and Table, Bridge Tender Inn, Circle K (north location open with fuel, south opens this weekend), and Smoqe House (opens Oct. 21).
Staff at Drift-In AMI, Blue Marlin, Island Time and Island Creperie, among others, told The Sun that they are working to get back up and running as soon as possible.
The CRA board unanimously approved Christmas on Bridge Street and the Table of Hope.
BRADENTON BEACH – Crowds lined the Bradenton Beach Pier early to get the best view of the Fifth Annual Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday.
Once the sun went down, a line of boats decked out with flashing lights and holiday figures came into view to the delighted cheers of attendees on the pier.
The Anna Maria Princess, the largest of the boats in the parade, was covered in lights, with rows of green turtle lights on both port and starboard sides.
The boat parade began at the south end of Jewfish Key and headed northwest in the Intracoastal Waterway past the Longboat Key bridge to the Bradenton Beach Pier, ending at the Bradenton Beach Marina.
The Bradenton Beach Marina, which owns the Anna Maria Princess, and Paradise Boat Tours accepted passengers on their vessels, donating the proceeds to charity.
The boat parade was part of the Christmas on Bridge Street celebration that began at 3 p.m. and included live music by Mike Sales, the Strolling Crosley Carolers, pictures with Santa, family-friendly activities and a street party.
Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby said up to 5,000 people visit Bridge Street for the event.
Bridge Street was closed to traffic until midnight. Cosby said the ordinance prohibiting alcohol consumption outside bars was suspended for the event.
The holiday celebrations on Bridge Street continue with Thursdays in Paradise from Dec. 7 through Dec. 28 from 3-9 p.m. Events will feature photos with Santa, face-painting, ornament-making and live music at participating restaurants and bars. Participating restaurants and shops will also offer discounts.
A street party following the boat parade has attendees enjoying Bridge Street attractions. - Leslie Lake | Sun
Carolers sing on Bridge Street during the annual Christmas on Bridge Street event. - Leslie Lake | Sun
Mike Sales warms up the crowd with music on the Bradenton Beach Pier before the annual boat parade floats by. - Leslie Lake | Sun
Participants in the annual boat parade wave to an appreciative crowd on the Bradenton Beach Pier. - Leslie Lake | Sun
Decorated boat lights reflect off the water during the annual boat parade. - Leslie Lake | Sun
BRADENTON BEACH – The fifth annual Christmas on Bridge Street on Saturday, Dec. 2 will include a holiday boat parade, live music and family-friendly activities.
Beginning at 3 p.m., the Strolling Crosley Carolers will sing, Santa will be available to pose for pictures, and kids can get their faces painted and make ornaments.
When the sun goes down, the annual decorated boat parade will begin.
The best viewing location for the parade will be on the city pier, where Mike Sales will be hosting music from 6-8 p.m. The boats arrive between 6:30-7:30 p.m.
For those who would like to see the parade from the water, two local businesses are accepting passengers on their vessels and donating the proceeds to charity. Space is limited and tickets sell out quickly; visit www.annamariaprincess.com or www.seedolphins.com.
The parade can also be viewed from the Longboat Pass Bridge from 6-6:45 p.m.
Vessels in the parade will gather near the south end of Jewfish Key. The parade will head northwest along the Longboat Pass Bridge and then continue north in the Intracoastal Waterway, passing the Bradenton Beach City Pier and ending at the Bradenton Beach Marina.
For boaters who would like to join in the boat parade, entry is free and open to both powerboats and sailboats. The downloadable entry form is available at lovebradentonbeach.com.
Parade participants must attend a mandatory captain’s meeting on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bridge Street Pier.
Judges will be randomly selected from the crowd at the city pier. Vessels can win a cash prize in one of two categories: Best Decorated Vessel or Most Enthusiastic Vessel.
Christmas on Bridge Street attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item and help “Stuff the Truck” for the Manatee Food Bank.
BRADENTON BEACH – Holiday merrymakers enjoyed shopping, dining, a movie and a party for a great cause as the Anna Maria Island Privateers and the city’s Christmas on Bridge Street events coincided on Saturday.
Christmas on Bridge Street featured stores staying open later to allow for holiday shopping, live music ringing out from bars and restaurants and a visit from Santa to hear Christmas wishes from anyone who wanted to meet him.
This year, the event coincided with the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ annual Christmas at the Drift In fundraiser, also on Bridge Street. Although the “partnership” was not planned in any official way, everyone enjoyed the fact that the Privateers’ close connection to Santa allowed for him to park his sleigh by the nearly 40- foot tall tree in the post office parking lot for some incredibly festive photo opportunities.
From left, Anna Maria Island Privateers Cookie, Santa Claus, Squeegee and Dallas enjoy a beautiful night on Bridge Street. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
“The Privateers are a great organization. They spend so much time and put so much effort into their charity fundraising,” said Amanda Walker, of Lansing Michigan, who spends the holidays on the Island every year with her family. “They are all smiles and happy to take your picture free of charge, so we always make a monetary donation to them every time we are here. They give scholarships to kids; if that’s not a worthy cause I have no idea what is.”
In addition to having Santa by the tree, children and parents gathered to watch a movie on the other side of the parking lot while they sipped hot chocolate, an annual highlight of the Christmas on Bridge Street event.
Unlike the boat parade earlier this month, police did not close the street for this party, but there were plenty of officers on hand to make sure everyone was safe. Bradenton Beach Police officers reported no incidents during the official celebration and said everyone seemed to be happy and having fun safely.
When The Sun spoke to Privateers President Kim Boyd, she did not have the total amount of money raised, but was enthusiastic about how the event had gone.
“Before we even got here tonight, the Drift In bartend- ers had raised over $1,400 just for the lotto board,” said Boyd, speaking of the grand prize consisting of a $100 bill and $200 in scratch off tickets. “All this money goes back for kids and community, and a large part goes to our scholarships and Christmas family adoptions and the other programs we fund.”
The Privateers are a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that works to help children through scholarship programs and other initiatives.
BRADENTON BEACH – Onlookers called it the sweetest tear gas ever, as fourth-generation candymaker Peter Vrinios returned to the Fudge Factory on Bridge Street on Dec. 3 for one of this month’s demonstrations of the old-fashioned way of making quality candy canes.
When Vrinios adds pure peppermint extract to the molten hot candy cane base that is still in liquid form, many onlookers had to step back to avoid the minty fumes, that – while harmless – make many gasp for breath. The end result, however, would be delicious.
Three separately prepared slabs of candy are dyed separately then twisted together with enormous force by the skilled hands of Peter Vrinios, the way his family has been doing it since 1898. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
Vrinios’ grandfather built and established a confectionary in 1898 on Main Street in Champaign, Illinois after immigrating to the U.S. from Greece. That confectionary not only stood the test of time, churning out ice cream and candy for 120 years, but was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1983. Though the confectionary no longer operates in Champaign, the building has not changed and now operates as a wedding venue.
When he decided to move to Florida in 2004, Vrinios knew he had to bring his 107-year-old marble candy-making table so he could continue to do what he loves upon arrival.
When Vrinios arrived in Florida, he contacted Ben Kaminecki, who was making chocolate in his chocolate factory on St. Armands Circle in Longboat Key. Kaminecki said he would love to have Vrinios make candy, so they started the tradition of making candy canes there.
From left, Erica Ostrander and Millie Aguirre assist with this year’s candy cane making demonstration at the Fudge Factory in Bradenton Beach. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
Making candy canes is hard labor, and would exhaust even the most physically fit people. Vrinios has hands that feel like bricks when you shake them, and throughout the more than hour-long process of making a single batch, he has no option for a single second of rest. If the mixture isn’t molded by hand before it cools and hardens, the intense process is a total loss. For this reason, very few people in the world possess his unique skill set.
“I won’t admit I’m old until I can’t do this anymore,” Vrinios said. “Candy canes started in Biblical times. It started with children crying and being restless in church. The priests began making peppermint sticks to hand out to children to pacify them during the services. The red was later added to represent the blood of Jesus, then the hook was added to represent the staff of Christ. I really enjoy the history and the process.”
While the ingredients of sugar, water and peppermint extract are very simple, the process is far from it. It begins with a large copper pot slowly cooking the sugar and water. When it’s ready to take off the heat is a secret Vrinios is keeping to himself, but he has it down to the second. No guesswork is involved, he just seems to know. When it’s time, lifting the kettle off the heat to pour onto the pre-oiled marble table is a two-person job. With the candy still in a mostly liquid form, the master candymaker adds the peppermint extract, a process that immediately makes the air almost unbreathable.
The key to the process is not allowing the mixture to harden. From the time the hot liquid sugar hits the marble slab and the time it is too hard to work with, multiple helpers have to perform their roles simultaneously or the batch is busted. The batch is cut into three large chunks and while Vrinios pulls a third of the mixture on a metal hook attached to the wall, one helper adds red dye to their section and the other adds green.
The final stage of the process involves the candymaker using the side of his hand to make four shallow ridges, one on each side of the large square of candy. The green and red cigar-shaped pieces are each cut in half and added to the shallow ridges, alternating color on each ridge. This huge piece of candy is then hand-rolled on one end which gives the colors the swirl you are used to seeing as the size is pressed and rolled from about 8 inches to the quarter-inch candy cane that is the final product. Assistants cut each cane by hand then continue the final rolling to get the proper size. The signature hook is bent, then the candy canes are placed on a tray to cool.
There will be demonstrations on Saturday, Dec. 10 and Friday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fudge Factory, so there’s still time to see this amazing confectionary work of art being made in person. Watch through the front window, or if adventurous, come inside and get the full nose- and throat-burning experience (recommended).
BRADENTON BEACH – Sparkling lights attracted a holiday crowd to the Bradenton Beach Pier to watch the Fourth Annual Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday.
Boat owners were invited to show their holiday spirit by decorating their vessels in the festive parade along the Intracoastal Waterway. In addition to being a lot of fun, cash prizes were up for grabs, and it was obvious to any spectator that a lot of work went into decorating the boats.
The parade had 26 entries with the award for Best Decorated Vessel going to Paradise Boat Tours and the award for Most Enthusiastic Vessel going to Ronald Lorfing on Knotty Times, “Celebrating Florida’s Space Heritage.”
People gather at the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach to watch the 2022 Holiday Boat Parade. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
Bridge Street closed to traffic starting at noon to allow the large crowd plenty of room to walk around and enjoy the shops and restaurants, most of which stayed open late to allow for shopping, dining, a visit with Santa and dancing to the music of several bands at local bars that went on all day and well into the night.
“We’re down here from Michigan for a couple of weeks,” Michelle Holt said. “We’re up there freezing our tails off and shoveling snow. We get down here and you guys are in shorts dancing in the streets. We know this place is great, but everything this Island does is just over-the-top fun!”
The best viewing point for the parade was the Bradenton Beach Pier, which was packed with spectators on the north and south sides. The Anna Maria Oyster Bar had beverages available on the pier, and music from local bars could be heard in the distance. Although alcohol was allowed on the street for this event, Bradenton Beach police said everyone was just having a good time and they hadn’t experienced any serious problems.
The 37-foot tree was the center of the action as holiday revelers gathered on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach for the Holiday Faire and Boat Parade on Saturday. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
If you didn’t make it to the boat parade, don’t worry; there’s plenty of time to enjoy Bridge Street, which currently features the most Christmas lights ever placed on any single street in the history of Anna Maria Island. The almost 40-foot tree (also a record for the Island) and the lights will remain lit through the end of the month, and many shops are staying open late for holiday shopping.
BRADENTON BEACH – The holidays are lighting up Bridge Street and getting revelers in the holiday spirit.
The fun started with the annual holiday lights celebration, with palm trees, businesses and even a giant Christmas tree lighting up the night on Nov. 19, showcasing garlands, hand-placed ornaments and other festive adornments.
As the sun set, a crowd gathered near the base of the 32-foot tree while the Magic of Manatee Sweet Adelines sang traditional holiday carols. At 6 p.m. Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin introduced former city commissioner Ed Straight who had the honor of flipping the switch, lighting the tree for the first time this season. After the tree lighting, attendees were encouraged to partake in the shopping and restaurant opportunities along Bridge Street.
(left to right) Glen Tellone, Heather Tellone, Chase Castagna, Chris Castagna, Tina Castagna, Abby Castagna, Pennie Castagna, Cara Spath, Kyle Castagne, Jason Spath and Emma Spath enjoy the tree Lighting on Bridge Street. Jason Schaffer | Sun
“This is possible because of a lot of hard work from the merchants of the Bradenton Beach Bridge Street area who’ve come together for the second week in a row to make this happen,” Mayor John Chappie said. “This is a signature event now that is something people look forward to, and it’s part of what we had hoped would happen for Bridge Street when we created the Community Redevelopment Agency.”
This huge holiday undertaking came at a cost of more than $40,000 and was sponsored by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the city of Bradenton Beach and local merchants. The lights come on at sunset and will be in place through the end of December.
BRADENTON BEACH – Locals and tourists flooded Bridge Street to watch the 3rd Annual Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4.
Boat owners were invited to show their holiday spirit by decorating their vessels in a festive parade along the Intracoastal Waterway. In addition to being a lot of fun, cash prizes were up for grabs for their efforts.
Frosty leads the way. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
The best viewing point for the parade was Bradenton Beach Pier which was packed with spectators on the north and south sides. The Anna Maria Oyster Bar had beverages available, and music from The Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar could be heard in the distance.
“This is amazing that you guys have something like this. My husband and I had no idea how this would work. When we heard boat parade, we thought they would be coming down the road pulled by trailers,” laughed Janelle Cox, of Bristol, Virginia.
The evening was more than just the boat parade. There was live music at the bars, Santa was hanging with the Anna Maria Island Privateers by the town Christmas tree in the post office parking lot and shops stayed open late to keep the festivities going late into the evening.
A busy night on Bridge Street. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
If you didn’t make it to the parade, don’t worry; there’s plenty of time to enjoy Bridge Street, which currently features the most Christmas lights ever placed on any single street in the history of Anna Maria Island. The 40-foot tree (also a record for the Island) and all the lights will remain lit through the end of the month, and many shops are staying open late for holiday shopping.
BRADENTON BEACH – The annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration and Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade are coming to town on Saturday, Dec. 4.
The fun will happen at various locations along Bridge Street. Beginning at 3 p.m., Christmas on Bridge Street will feature a Kid Zone that includes face painting and creating holiday crafts. Featuring food and drink specials, gift certificate sales, “chair-ity massage” and more, nearby retailers and restaurants will host a holiday walkabout that afternoon and evening.
The Anna Maria Island Privateers will provide photo opportunities with Santa and his sleigh in the Bradenton Beach Post Office parking lot, near the 40-foot-tall Christmas tree purchased by the Bridge Street merchants. The acclaimed Dickens Carolers – a professional company of actors and singers in period costumes – will add to the festivities by telling stories and singing seasonal songs.
The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency paid for most of the holiday decorations adorning Bridge Street. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After sunset, event attendees can admire the Bridge Street holiday decorations paid for by the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.
There will also be a Holiday Swagger photo contest and a grand prize drawing that benefits Turning Points, a local non-profit organization that assists the homeless in Manatee County.
Holiday boat parade
On Saturday evening, the third annual Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade will begin at 6 p.m., with participating vessels assembling ahead of time near the south end of Jewfish Key.
The boat parade will travel northwest along the Longboat Pass Bridge and then head north up the Intracoastal Waterway, passing by the Bridge Street Pier and ending at the Bradenton Beach Marina. The boat parade can be viewed from the Longboat Pass Bridge from about 6-6:30 p.m. and from the Bridge Street Pier from 6:30-7 p.m. Island troubadour Mike Sales will also be performing on the pier that evening.
The boat parade will take place Saturday evening and pass by the Bridge Street Pier. – Bradenton Beach Marina | Submitted
The boat parade is open to powerboats and sailboats and entry is free. The best-decorated boat will earn a $200 cash prize. Entry forms and additional information can be found at the boat parade website, or by calling the Bradenton Beach Marina at 941-778-2288.
Bradenton Beach Marina owner and boat parade organizer Mike Bazzy said he anticipates a record number of boats participating in this year’s boat parade. Those who don’t have a boat of their own can ride along as passengers aboard the marina’s “Anna Maria Princess” paddle wheeler. Tickets can be purchased at the boat parade website and the proceeds will be donated to fighting children’s cancer.
For more information on the Holidays in Paradise events, activities, contests, parking and more, please visit www.lovebradentonbeach.com or call 941-896-2222.
The Sun is a media sponsor of the Holidays in Paradise events taking place on and around Bridge Street this holiday season.
BRADENTON BEACH – Take a walk down Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach and you’ll find it difficult not to be in the holiday spirit.
On Saturday, Nov. 20, the city lit the most Christmas lights ever seen on the Island. Street lights, palm trees, business fronts and even the famous clock tower are draped in lights and garland. The centerpiece of this amazing display is a 40-foot tree adorned with thousands of lights and more than 600 hand-placed ornaments.
A 40-foot-tall Christmas tree graces the Bradenton Beach Post Office parking lot on Bridge Street. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
The tree lighting ceremony was an all-day event that began with the early afternoon arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who arrived by golf cart.
“The reindeer wanted to be here, but it just hasn’t cooled off quite enough for their liking, so we let them stay at the North Pole. They always look forward to coming to Anna Maria Island on Christmas Eve because I treat them with grouper bites before we head over to Miami,” said Santa.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in Bradenton Beach. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
As the sun set on a beautiful Island afternoon, a crowd of a few hundred people gathered while the Magic of Manatee Sweet Adelines sang traditional carols in front of the tree. At 6 p.m., the crowd chanted a 10-second countdown for Mayor John Chappie, who lit the tree alongside City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Commissioner Ralph Cole. The evening’s festivities continued with an outdoor showing of “A Christmas Story” on an inflatable movie screen next to the tree.
Families enjoy an outdoor showing of ‘A Christmas Story’ in the post office parking lot next to the tree on Bridge Street. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
“This is the culmination of 30 years of hard work in the commercial area of Bradenton Beach. Trimmers Holiday Decor, the company that put up all the lights and decorations, did an amazing job, always here on the spot working to get this done, they’re amazing,” said Mayor Chappie.
This huge holiday undertaking came at a cost of more than $40,000 and was made possible by the Community Redevelopment Agency, the City of Bradenton Beach, and local merchants. The lights come on at sunset and will be in place through the end of December.
BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach Marina owner and president Mike Bazzy has presented his preliminary plans for the third annual Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade taking place Saturday, Dec. 4.
The 2020 boat parade was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its return will coincide with the return of the annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration taking place the same day.
The holiday events are being organized by Bazzy, Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin and participating Bridge Street merchants. The Christmas on Bridge Street festivities will include live music and more, with additional details forthcoming. The December holiday events will be preceded by the annual Bridge Street Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 20.
Seeking financial support for the boat parade and Christmas on Bridge Street, Bazzy appeared before the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on Wednesday, Oct. 6. He then appeared before the city commission on Thursday, Oct. 7. As they did in 2019, the CRA and the city commission each agreed to provide $500 in financial support for the boat parade and Christmas on Bridge Street.
Bazzy said he hopes to have 15-20 boats participate in this year’s boat parade.
Accompanied by Alexis DeLeon, marina owner Mike Bazzy presented the boat parade plans while seeking financial support from the Bradenton Beach CRA. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Later in the week, Bazzy provided some additional boat parade details via email. According to Bazzy, the parade will begin at 6 p.m. and the participating vessels will gather ahead of time near the south end of Jewfish Key. The parade will head northwest along the Longboat Pass Bridge and then north up the Intracoastal Waterway. The parade will pass alongside the Bridge Street Pier and end at the Bradenton Beach Marina. The parade can be viewed from the Longboat Pass Bridge from 6-6:30 p.m. or from the Bridge Street Pier from 6:30-7 p.m.
“I invite boat owners to decorate their vessels and join the fun. The parade is open to powerboats and sailboats and entry into the parade is free,” Bazzy stated in his email.
The best-decorated boat will earn a $200 cash prize.
For entry forms and more information, call the Bradenton Beach Marina at 941-778-2288, or visit the boat parade website.
Those who don’t have a boat of their own are invited to participate in the boat parade as passengers aboard the marina’s “Anna Maria Princess” paddle wheeler. Those seats can be secured by visiting the boat parade website and the ticket proceeds will be donated to fighting children’s cancer.
The Sun is a sponsor of the Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade and Christmas on Bridge Street.
BRADENTON BEACH – The celebration spotlight Saturday night was on Bridge Street as merchants opened their stores, offering snacks and drinks to shoppers and a lighted boat parade took to the water off of the Bridge Street Pier. Despite the cooler weather, shoppers came out to see the decorations and participate in the annual holiday celebration.
The Anna Maria Island Privateers held a fundraiser at the Drift In and musicians Steve Arvey, Rebecca Bird and Deacon Gibson performed from a flatbed trailer that went up and down the street. There were also songs from the Manatee School for the Arts Thespian Troupe 6458 who were raising money for traveling competitions.
Kassy, Quinn and Julia Lombardo offered complimentary popcorn at Bridge Street Jewelers. – Tom Vaught | Sun
The heart of the city’s commercial district was festively decorated by the public works department with holiday lights around public signs, streetlights and the Bridge Street clock. Visitors posed for photos and selfies in front of the Christmas tree in the roundabout at the east end of the street.
As 7 p.m. neared, the people headed for the pier to get a look at the Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade. Twelve boats competed for the top prize, along with the Bradenton Beach police boat.
The Anna Maria Princess paddle boat led the lighted boat parade. – Submitted
Participating boaters gathered at the north side of the Cortez Bridge and at 6:30 p.m., they turned on their lights and paraded in a circle by the Seafood Shack, and then they lined up for the 7 p.m. opening of the drawbridge. When it opened, they sailed south close to the Cortez side of the bay and went down to Longboat Pass, where they turned around and headed south near Anna Maria Island. As they did, the crowd on the pier cheered and took pictures of the boats up close.
The lighted boat parade’s winning team celebrates their victory. – Submitted | Mike Bazzy
Eric Jones and his crew won the $200 prize for the best-decorated boat.
Organizer Mike Bazzy called the parade a success and said he would organize another one next year.
BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Street Merchants will host their annual Christmas on Bridge Street holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 4-6:30 p.m.
The holiday festivities will take place up and down Bridge Street in the heart of the city’s business district.
On Saturday, Christmas Designers began installing new holiday decorations on the historic pier clocktower and along Bridge Street. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Santa Claus will visit the businesses up and down street aboard his electric sled and participating retailers and food and beverage establishments will offer specials and special holiday activities.
This year’s musical roster includes Brigid’s Cross, Steve Arvey, Rebecca Bird and Deacon Gibson, with Arvey again serving as musical coordinator. As a new twist, the musicians will perform on a flatbed trailer that will provide music on the move at various locations along Bridge Street and beyond.
Students from the Manatee School of the Arts will also wander Bridge Street singing Christmas carols.
A cornhole tournament and children’s craft activities will take place in the parking lot at the historic Bridge Street Pier.
Bridge Street will look even more festive this year thanks to the new holiday decorations recently purchased by the Community Redevelopment Agency. The new decorations were manufactured and installed by Christmas Designers, the firm that does the elaborate holiday decorations along University Boulevard and at the University Town Center mall in Sarasota.
The new decorations supplement the decorations purchased in previous years by the Bridge Street Merchants and the merchants’ beautifully decorated Christmas tree that stands in the traffic circle at the east end of Bridge Street.
“The street looks very nice,” said Bridge Street Merchants vice president Sherman Baldwin.
Christmas on Bridge Street is co-sponsored by the Anna Maria Island Sun.
Christmas on Bridge Street will be followed by the Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade that starts at 7 p.m.
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