Daily
Bradenton
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Bradenton. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 2nd of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Manatee County will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 7 at Washington Park to mark the completion of its first phase with a new playground, pavilions, restrooms, and walking trails. Officials and community leaders will gather to celebrate this local milestone. Manatee County
- ➤ Local organizers held a May Day rally yesterday in downtown Bradenton where community members celebrated spring and unity. The event featured speeches and calls for local progress (highlighting resident involvement). ABC7
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Tourism along Siesta Key increased nearly 2% from March 2025 to March 2026 as visitors returned to Siesta Key Village after last year’s hurricanes. Local business leaders say county beautification efforts are planned to boost visitor numbers further. ABC7
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A May 1 report shows Siesta Key welcomed nearly 2% more visitors last week+ local tourism officials say the boost signals a steady rebound in the area. ABC7
- ➤ High gas prices have strained Bradenton drivers since May 1—rising fuel costs are impacting daily travel budgets and prompting locals to seek cheaper options. ABC7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Manatee School Board approved Rangeland High School as the name for its newest campus under construction in Lakewood Ranch. Built on 85 acres at the southwest corner of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard, the school — set to open in August 2027 — will serve nearly 1,100 students. The Bradenton Times
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Over the past week, red tide was noted at background levels in one Northwest Florida sample while no K. brevis was found in Southwest Florida or along the East Coast; the next status report will be issued on Friday, May 8. The Bradenton Times
- ➤ Local wildlife rescue teams reported a surge in calls on May 1 as spring arrived, prompting extended service hours and volunteer support. Officials advise residents to be cautious around injured animals while teams work to manage the increased demand. ABC7
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Manatee County Utilities launched the Bulk Collection Pilot Program on May 1 that lets residents put out up to two bulk items monthly + one annual pickup for larger waste. Residents must schedule certain items and follow the curbside guidelines to ensure proper collection. ABC7
-
Finish Line Racing Multi-Sport Events
7-10 AM — Fort De Soto Park — Enjoy a vibrant post-party with food and free beer at this multi-sport race event.
-
NoFilter Concert
6:30-10:30 p.m. — The Green at UTC — Free entry — Dance the night away with high-energy hits from various decades and genres.
-
Almost Eagles Concert
7-10 p.m. — Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — Tickets available — Experience a night with Almost Eagles and enjoy classic tunes in a beautiful venue.
-
Mother's Day Brunch Buffet
10 AM-3 PM — PIER 22 — Adults: $70+ | Kids: $25++ — Delight in a waterfront brunch with an abundant buffet of seasonal favorites and chef-attended stations.
-
Bradenton Marauders Faith & Family Night
6:30-9:30 p.m. — LECOM Park — Prices Vary — Experience a fair-themed atmosphere with games, activities, and church performance opportunities during the game.
-
Lies, Spells & Old Wives' Tales
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a brand new world-premiere musical comedy closing the 'Soul Of A People' theatre season.
-
The Wandering Hours Live Performance
6-10 p.m. — The Bay Park — Free entry — Experience the unique sounds of Americana with stellar string picking from The Wandering Hours.
-
The Royz Band LIVE at Mattison's Riverwalk Grille
5-9 p.m. — Mattison's Riverwalk — Reservations recommended — Enjoy outdoor dining and live music from The Royz Band.
-
RJ Howson Music Showcase
7-11 p.m. — The O Bar — Check for admission details — Enjoy a night of live music with singer-songwriter RJ Howson and his friends.
-
RJ Howson, Mike Kach and Friends Concert
4-8 p.m. — Stottlemyer's Smokehouse — Admission details not specified — Enjoy an evening of live music with RJ Howson and friends at a local venue.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Bradenton
Welcome to the Daily Bradenton, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Bradenton, Florida community. If you like the Daily Bradenton, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Bradenton.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Bradenton and across Florida. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Bradenton
A free Bradenton community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailybradenton.com/sitemap