FESTIVALS, FLAVOR, AND FUN
BY: NICOLE MISKOVIC
As the holiday season quickly approaches, everyone in Bradenton is gearing up in
anticipation of the festivities. Whether they’re at-home traditions for the family, or
community-wide events that celebrate our city, this is the time of year that brings
us all together.
Not only is this part of Realize Bradenton’s mission, it’s also this community nonprofit’s
vision for what they have in store as 2021 comes to a close. From the return of
the Saturday Market, which started in October, to its culminating event of the year
in December, the Bradenton Blues Festival, this community-oriented organization
has planned countless opportunities to engage all walks of life this coming season.
Loving Our City
Kicking off November with a flavorful start, Realize Bradenton will be releasing its
second book on November 1. Titled “Tales from the Table: Flavor, Family, and Friends,”
the story highlights 10 local families and friend groups and tells the stories about recipes
that were passed down to them. Born from the recognition that food brings people
together and that there is something universal about food, recipes and cooking, the
initiative aims to build bridges in the community during the holiday season and beyond.
The book will contain interactive elements as well,
with learning activities that go with each recipe
throughout. Designed by a local fourth grade
teacher, these activities will bring engagement and
learning into the kitchen for our community’s youth.
The book will be available on Realize Bradenton’s
website (www.realizebradenton.com) as well as at the
Downtown Bradenton Public Market on Saturdays.
Though this Public Market might sound new, it’s
actually the rebranded name for the former Farmer’s
Market which launched at the first market of the
season on October 2. The change came from the
fact that a big part of the market has evolved into
promoting local entrepreneurs in addition to our
local farmers. The goal of this rebrand is to expand
its perception so the community appreciates
the value it brings to local entrepreneurs as well.
Finally, the organization’s “Love This City” campaign
kicks off November 13 at the Public Market. Lasting
the rest of the year until May 2022, this will be
the time to celebrate, reimagine and rediscover
downtown Bradenton. The initiative consists
of countless activities, like free family-friendly
scavenger hunts and Bradenton-themed Art
Walks, that bring together the many districts
of downtown, including the Village of the Arts.
Learn more about this initiative on the organization’s
website (www.realizebradenton.com/LovethisCity).
A Blues Fest to Remember
Though it’s a community favorite every year, this
year’s Blues Fest from Dec. 3-5 will be one for the
books, as 2021 marks the 10-year anniversary of this
soulful event. It starts with a stellar lineup of incredible
musicians like Dawn Tyler Watson, James Armstrong,
Jimmy Carpenter and Bernard Allison.
Saturday Downtown
Bradenton Public
Market
28 | BMAG
/(www.realizebradenton.com)
/LovethisCity)