Manatee County’s largest and FREE civic event, the Bradenton Area River Regatta, returns to the shorelines of Bradenton and Palmetto for its 10th Anniversary Feb. 21 and 22 and is once again filled with a full day of captivating family- and kid-friendly fun.
While the marquee high-powered F-2 speed racing of the Powerboat Superleague circuit highlights Saturday’s activities, which begin at 10 a.m., there is an amazing slate of events on land and water that kids and adults alike can enjoy…And they are ALL FREE.
Interactive activities for the entire family to enjoy can be found on both sides of the Manatee River all day at the Family Fun Zones. In Bradenton, the Pittsburgh Pirates/Bradenton Marauders Family Fun Zone offers a variety of activities including interactive sports fun, pitching machine and corn-hole pitch, and face painters.
The Hernando De Soto Historical Society food festival will offer an assortment of Bradenton's finest cuisine. Performing at the Bradenton Riverwalk Amphitheater and new to the Regatta is “Moogician” Variety Show, a high-energy show using dairy-themed material to perform magic with milk, juggling cheese, and all things MOO! Returning to the Riverwalk Amphitheater are two fan favorites…nationally-acclaimed stunt dog troupes: Team Zoom and Dare Devil Stunt Dogs. Spectators will not only be treated to incredible tricks and feats, kids can meet and interact with a few of the remarkable canines after each show.
At Palmetto Riverside Park, families can enjoy an expo area sponsored by the U.S. Army and The National Guard, and kid-friendly interactive areas sponsored by Tampa Bay’s favorite sports teams, the Bucs and Lightning. For a bite to eat, many top local food vendors will offer some of the area’s favorite fare. A Powerboat village displaying both vintage and modern-day watercrafts is offered.
Kicking off Saturday’s festivities is the DeSoto Little Anglers Fishing Derby (at Palmetto Fishing Pier) and LECOM 5K (at Pier 22), both beginning at 8:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required for both events.
Friday night, a combined dazzling drone light show and fireworks display high over the Manatee River and musical entertainment at the Rossi Park Stage along the Bradenton River Walk highlight the 10 th Anniversary opening ceremony Friday night, which are all FREE and opened to the public. Titled “Friday Night Flash,” the drone show, produced and choreographed to special-themed music by America’s premier creator of drone light shows──Sky Elements─combined with an explosive pyrotechnics extravaganza by America’s favorite artist Zambelli Fireworks, provides an amazing array of aerial illumination creating a perfect opening act for this year’s milestone Regatta. Friday’s festivities are scheduled to begin at approximately 5:15 p.m. with the rhythmic, high-energy dance tunes of ABBA Nova, a national ABBA tribute band, followed by up-and-coming singer/songwriter Bella Garland, who comes directly from Nashville’s Belmont University. Families can view the aerial displays high over the Manatee River from both shorelines in Palmetto and Bradenton, starting at 7:15 p.m. A concert by Fleetwood Mac tribute band, “Sweet Fleet,” follows at 7:35 p.m.
“Palmetto is proud to co-host the Bradenton Area River Regatta for its milestone 10th year,” said Palmetto Mayor Dan West. "This will be my first year of experiencing this tremendous event as mayor, and we cannot be more excited about this year’s festivities. Come kick off Regatta weekend with an incredible opening-night ceremony Friday, then enjoy the exciting Regatta events all day Saturday.” “The City of Bradenton is looking forward to the return of the Bradenton Area River Regatta for a 10th year,” said Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown. “The Regatta has been such an economic generator and tourist attraction for the last 10 years, and we are extremely excited to have it return for this tremendous milestone. We are expecting another fantastic opening-night celebration Friday and a full day of events Saturday.” “We are truly thrilled to continue supporting signature events like the River Regatta that will not only create awareness of the unique characteristics in our urban core, but also drive out-of-town business to our hospitality industry,” said Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.”
The highly competitive high-speed racing of F-2 and SST-45 powerboats on the rugged Manatee course remains the signature event. The oldest and most-respected racing circuit in the F-2 division, Powerboat Superleague will rock the Manatee River for the group’s first tunnel boat race of the 2025 season. Racing begins with time trials at 10a.m., followed by qualifying heats (1 p.m.) and the championship races (4 p.m.). The explosive but nimble SST-45 “Formula Lights” also return. Debuting in 2022, these watercrafts are smaller and lighter than the Formula-2 big boys, but they are nearly as loud, and just as entertaining. They can reach eye-popping speeds of 70 mph. Regatta fans have a front-row seat for all the action in what is considered the largest racing event on the APBA Circuit.
In addition to powerboat racing, soaring high above the waves of the Manatee once again in 2025 are the high-flying duo of World Flyboard Champion Kristen “The Destroyer” Smoyer and Champion Jet skier Chris Anyzeski. Smoyer and Anyzeski will entertain spectators throughout the day with their incredible and improbable stunts that have garnered both performers world-wide accolades.
Top musical entertainment will generate diverse sound waves on both shorelines throughout the day. Beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the Palmetto Riverside Park Main Stage, a series of regional and national acts will perform, opening with John Rinell and his “Taste of Sinatra” tribute to ole “Blue Eyes.” Other shows on the Palmetto stage are Sweet Fleet (1 p.m.), Peonies (2:45 p.m.), White Mesa (3:45 p.m.); Euphoria (4:15 p.m.) and House of Harmony (5:15 p.m.). On the Bradenton Riverwalk Rossi Park Stage, House of Harmony opens at 11:30 a.m.; followed by the Trevor Bystrom Band (1 p.m.); Max Demote (2:45 p.m.); national-recording artist and Bradenton area native Sam Woolf (3:45 p.m.); and Bella Garland (4:15). Then, Garland and Woolf will come together for a soothing blend of vocal harmony at 4:45 p.m., before high-energy 22N closes at 5:15 p.m.
Full details, schedule and additional information are available at bradentonarearegatta.com. Follow all the fun and activities on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RiverwalkRegatta.
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The Bradenton Area River Regatta is produced and managed by ISM/USA—a sports event management
and marketing firm with offices in Pittsburgh, PA and Lakewood Ranch, FL.
