There’s always lots of fun to be had at Easter on Anna Maria Island, and Easter 2018 is no different.
The 32nd Annual Sandbar Easter Egg Hunt starts at 9:00 am., at The Sandbar Restaurant on Saturday, March 31st with refreshments served in the Pavilion next to the restaurant starting at 8:30 am.
The hunt will take place on the beach next to the restaurant with sections set up for children aged 0-2, 3-6 and 7-10. Each child is responsible for bringing their own basket to collect eggs. Parking is available in the restaurant lot, across the street and at city hall. We encourage folks to take the free island trolley or monkey bus.
After the Sandbar fun, the Easter Bunny will lead a walking parade down Pine Avenue where the 9th Annual Easter Egg Roll and Easter Bonnet Contest will take place. There will be plenty of fun for the whole family with games, face painting, egg rolling and coloring. Complimentary mimosas, sausage biscuits and frittatas will be provided by the Sandbar Restaurant along with cupcakes from Hometown Desserts. Take home an Easter keepsake – a framed picture with the Easter Bunny with pictures taken by Dara Caudill of IslandPhotography.org. Music will be provided by Chuck Caudill. A fabulous gift basket will be raffled off to one lucky winner. The egg roll and bonnet contest event is also sponsored by the Sandbar Restaurant, PAR and the Anna Maria Sun Newspaper. The roll will take place 9:30am-12:00pm.
Prizes for the best bonnet include a two night stay at the Anna Maria Guest Houses for first prize. There will also be prizes for second and third place. First prize for the best kid’s bonnet is a Sandbar lunch for the winner and three of their BFF’s complete with hot fudge sundaes. There will also be prizes for second and third place. This is the 16th year the Sun Newspaper has been a sponsor for the Sandbar Easter Egg Hunt. For more information on the Sandbar Easter Egg Hunt and Pine Avenue Easter Egg Roll contact Tina Chiles at 941-778-8710 or tchiles@chilesgroup.com.
On Vacation And Don’t want To Cook?
Don’t worry! Check out restaurants that are open on Easter Sunday:
Attend A Beach Front Easter Service
Make Easter extra special with an Easter sunrise service – you’ll never forget this.
The 54th Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island Easter Sunrise Service will begin at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 1 — sunrise is expected at 7:21 a.m. — at Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
Would you like to visit Anna Maria Island?
Contact us to stay at Blue Turtle Cottage conveniently located mid-island in Holmes Beach. Close to shopping, dining and the free Trolley.
The cottage is a renovated 3 bedroom pool home just steps to the white powder sand beach.
Whoop! Whoop! It’s almost July 4th! There is lots and LOTS of fun to be had on and around Anna Maria Island!
PARADE
The Anna Maria Island Privateers once again host their annual 4th of July Independence Day parade. It is a sight to see – in 2016 there were 115 parade entries and 850 participants, and an estimated 25,000 spectators!
When: Kick off at 10:00 Am at Coquina Beach
Where: Coquina Beach in the south through Holmes Beach and ending on Pine Ave. in Anna Maria on the north end.
Who Can Participate: Anyone! And it’s free! Decorate your bike, car,truck, segway or golf cart etc., or roller blade all decked out. As long as it’s on wheels it can be in the parade (note: this is a non-walking parade due to the 7 mile length). All you have to do is registerhere.
Everyone is invited to participate – bring a flag and set up a chair along the parade route.
After Party: After the parade there will be an after Parade Party with Live Music, Libations & Grub @ “The Ugly Grouper” 5704 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach Florida where the Privateers will announce the Scholarship recipients of over Twenty thousand dollars. ($20,000.00)
FIREWORKS
What would the 4th of July be without fireworks? Nothing! The annual fireworks extravaganza is once again being put on by theSandbar Restaurant– you don’t want to miss this!
VIP Party Packages are available with prime seating set up on the beach under their wedding pavilion located next to the restaurant for the show. Packages are available now and include an array of delicious food. Tickets are $140 for adults and $50 for kids. Reservations for the VIP Party are required and seating is limited. Contact Jamie Kissell, Special Events Director at (941) 778-8709 or jkissell@chilesgroup.com
Or you can bring a blanket or towels and some snacks to the beach and watch the show!
When: Tuesday, July 4th, 2017 shortly after dusk
Where: Sandbar Restaurant 100 Spring Avenue Anna Maria
JULY 4TH PIG ROAST & FIREWORKS IN DOWNTOWN BRADENTON
Pier 22restaurant is holding an all-American Independence Day Pig Roast & Fireworks event in downtown Bradenton. While dining waterside you will enjoy a marvelous July 4th fireworks celebration. This is a single seating event starting at 6 p.m. and ending with the fireworks grand finale at 9 p.m. You can see the full menu here. Adults $69.95 – Open Bar Wristband Add $30, Children under 12 – $19.95. Reservations 941-748-8087 or https://pier22dining.com/reservations
If you just want to watch the fireworks Riverwalk and The Green bridge (which will close to traffic) will give you the best views. If you need some directions to get around try the new Walk Bradenton Geolocation page that will help you find anything you want in Bradenton – from restaurants to businesses, wifi hotspots to, well, anything! It’s pretty cool.
A Sarasota Fourth of July
Night time brings the Fireworks Spectacular over Sarasota Bay. Part of the Suncoast Offshore Festival, viewing is free from anywhere downtown including Bayfront Park and Island Park. The display is an awesome sight from a boat anchored on Sarasota Bay. Make sure you bring an umbrella just in case of rain. The Sarasota show starts at dusk or around 9:00 p.m. and is privately funded and charity focused and benefits Suncoast Charities for Children.
When: July 4, 2017 9:00 PM
Sarasota: Sarasota Bay, Sarasota
Would you like to visit Anna Maria Island? Contact us for help with accommodations – stay at Blue Turtle Cottage : a renovated 3 bedroom pool home steps from the sugar sand beaches the island is famous for
Craft Brewing (and Breweries) in Florida are growing at supersonic speed. There are currently well over 200 in the state of Florida according tobeerinflorida.com, a website dedicated to craft breweries in Florida.
When you’re staying on Anna Maria Island there are several Craft Breweries within easy driving distance. Each one has their own brews (of course) and their own offerings and amenities.
Motorworks Brewing
Motorworks Brewing, Bradenton’s first craft brewery, is housed in a 1923 building that used to house an automobile dealership: Hudson Motors – complete with a concrete ramp that was used to move cars from the ground floor to a second floor service area.
Motorworks Brewing boasts the largest beer garden in Florida, complete with a spacious deck built around a magnificent 150+ year-old oak tree, a 3-hole putting green, 2 bocce ball courts, over a dozen cornhole sets, life-sized jenga, a live music stage, 22 ft. projection screen and more.
Featured is acore lineupof 5 brews, plus aseasonal lineup – currently 31 brews. Simply something for everyone! They also have lots onTap.
Though they don’t offer food themselves they’re not about to let you go hungry! they partner with several local Restaurants and Food Trucks. The typical offerings include sliders, chicken tenders, grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps, pulled pork, chicken salad, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, pizza, and Philly cheese steaks. You can check out their food scheduleHere.
Just The Facts:
Address: 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 AM to Midnight, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 2 AM
*Children allowed until 9 PM, dogs allowed in the beer garden. Contact for details
Darwin Brewing Co.
Darwin Brewing Co. was established in 2012 and brews artisan ales and lagers influenced by the flavors and spices of South America’s Andean and Amazonian Regions with a focus on ingredients sourced in Florida.
DBC is a full fledged brewery also featuring a Taproom and a garden. The selection of brews is large and includes theirFlagship Core Beers, as well as seasonal offerings.
Being right next to *McKechnie Field where the Pittsburgh Pirates spring train and the hometown heroes – the Bradenton Mauraders – play, this is a good place for a cold brew before or after the baseball game. A thriving Trivia League is held on Thursday nights as well.
*Family friendly
Just The Facts:
Address: 803 17th Avenue West, Bradenton (next to *McKechnie Field)
The newest Craft Brewery to call Bradenton home,3 Keys Brewing & Eateryis also the closest to Anna Maria Island – along the Manatee Ave. business and shopping stretch. The focus is on community, friends & family (including welcoming dogs on the patio). There is a kids area in sight of the dining tables with books, legos, games, toys and a Nintendo Wii.
Established and run by the Douglas family – Jeff, Cathy & their eldest son Scott, opened the brewery after a nationwide brewery tour that included 126 breweries. When they returned they turned their dreams of opening a restaurant/pub in to opening a brewery & eatery.
3 Keys philosopy is “Beer should be for everyone, so we offer flavorful, light, fruity and low alcohol beers alongside of traditional favorites such as IPAs, pale ales, stouts, dubbels, bocks, porters and wheat beers.” The of beer is large, you can see itHere, and they also serve a selection of wine and cider.
The fact that 3 Keys is also an eatery sets them apart from many craft breweries that are often serviced by food trucks or local restaurants. Their menuis pub inspired and includes a kid’s menu. The full service and community focus has made the brewery a favorite of locals and visitors.
Naughty Monk Brewery is the only Craft Brewery in the Lakewood Ranch area and has been a welcome addition. The focus is onBelgian inspired brews, with wine, cider and several guest taps of local and national craft brewers also available.
While enjoying your chosen brew you can play a game of pool on the only two Diamond pool tables in Manatee County. Also for fun darts, cornhole and a variety of games and entertainment are available.
While there is no food served by Naughty Monk Brewery, bringing your own food or snacks is encouraged. You are also welcome to order from any local fast food business or restaurants with delivery available.
Jdubs’S Brewing Company was founded byJeremy “JDub” Joerger in 2011 in Sarasota. A former soldier turned government worker, Jdub made his first (“terrible”) batch of home brew in 2003 with a buddy. In 2011, with a nudge from his father-in-law, Jeremy decided to follow his dreams of working in the craft beer industry and to do it in Sarasota.
In the years since Jdub’s has continued to grow in sales, employees and distribution – to the point where they now need to brew at “The Brew Hub” in Lakeland in addition to on site, but continue to stay committed our our core values of Quality, Innovation and Culture. Thebeer selectionis eclectic and with 14 flavorsOn Tap there is something for everyone.
Like most other craft breweries Jdub’s does not serve food but it does have a local food trucks on aschedule. Expect food that goes well with beer – burgers to BBQ to tacos. Check out the schedule and visit when your favorite food is available, or just enjoy a beer!
Big Top Brewing Company’sBrewmaster Josh Wilson crafted beer for many years with only his friends enjoying his efforts. Big Top was the first Craft Brewery in Sarasota, and Josh wanted to compliment Sarasota’s historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, great architecture.
There is a rotating list ofcore beersas well as rotating list ofbeers on tap. Live music and food trucks are featured regularly, take a look at theirevents calendarto plan your visit.
Just The Facts:
Address: 6111 Porter Way Sarasota
Hours: Monday – Saturday 2 -10 PM, Sunday 12-8 PM
Contact: 1.800.590.Bigtop
Enjoy the Craft Beer explosion – choose your brewery or make your way through the list. Cheers!
Would you like to visit Anna Maria Island? Contact us for a reservation at Blue Turtle Cottage and let us help you with your vacation planning.
The 3rd annual Blues, Brews & BBQ on Anna Maria Island’s hot spot, Bridge St. in Bradenton Beach, is a super fun family friendly event happening on April 22 from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
Enjoy the stellar music lineup curated by Steve Arvey, known as “Stone Crab Steve” all while partaking in delicious BBQ, drinks and shopping.
Featuring craft brews from Motorworks Brewing, Bradenton’s first full production craft microbrewery. A full bar along with standard domestic beers, wine and non-alcoholic selections will also be available.
The menu features mouth-watering BBQ with ribs and pulled pork platters from Island Time Bar & Grill, plus favorites from Fire and Stone including barbeque-themed pizzas.
Bridge St is all about fun, food and boutique shopping, expect to find some amazing deals from the Bridge Street Merchants!
This is an all ages event with gates opening at 2:00 pm with wrist bands issued so you can come and go at will. Bring chairs and blankets so you can be comfy (no outside food or coolers). A bargain at $5.00 with 12 and under free.
Best of all, proceeds of the event will benefit All Island Denomination’s Food Pantry at Roser Church, without being an on-site food drive. A silent auction will further fundraising efforts without interrupting the entertainment.
How to get there: Consider taking the free Island Trolley right to Bridge Street. Car parking: The city lot behind the Bridge Street Bistro, up and down Bridge Street, including by the pier, Bradenton Beach City Hall / Tingley Library, along the beach just south of Bridge Street, and down at Coquina Beach. The “Monkey Bus” is another option at 941-565-6542 as well as RIDE AMI1-877-743-3264. For more information call Eric 607-346-4126. Here is a Map and directions to Bridge St..
Do you want to visit Anna Maria Island?
Come stay at Blue Turtle Cottage – a renovated 3 bedroom pool home just steps to the soft, white sands Anna Maria island is famous for.
Anna Maria Island House Rental 