Happy Sunday, Parrish! Spring is in full swing and there's so much good stuff happening around our corner of Manatee County right now. From trains to 5Ks to high schoolers doing incredible things — here's what's making us smile this week.

Autism Acceptance Day at the Florida Railroad Museum
Today's the day! Head to our very own Florida Railroad Museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a community celebration focused on awareness, inclusion, and support for families. Organizers, families, and community partners are all coming together — and it's right here in Parrish.

Woofstock Pet Supply Donation Drive
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue needs our help! Through April 18, you can drop off pet supplies at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch to support local rescue animals. Every bag of kibble and every toy makes a difference.

Manatee Music Series: Westbound & Down
Grab a lawn chair and head to GT Bray Park Amphitheater on Friday, April 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. for a FREE live concert. Westbound & Down takes the stage as part of Manatee County's outdoor music series. Can't beat free live music on a Friday night.

Serenoa Chapter Native Plant Sale
Plant lovers, mark your calendars! Saturday, April 18 starting at 9 a.m. at Sweet Bay Nursery right here in Parrish (10824 Erie Rd). The Florida Native Plant Society's Serenoa Chapter hosts their annual fundraiser with vendors, food, and gorgeous native plants. FNPS members get 15% off — and you can join at the sale!

De Soto Heritage Festival & Grand Parade
One of the biggest traditions in the Southeast is back! The De Soto Heritage Festival runs April 23–26 in downtown Bradenton, with the legendary Grand Parade on Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. along Manatee Avenue. Expect illuminated floats, 150+ entries, and crowds topping 100,000. The pre-party kicks off at 3:30 p.m. — get there early!

New Fire Rescue Station 90 Opens Its Doors
On Friday, the Board of County Commissioners hosted a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting for the brand-new Fire Rescue Station 90. This is a big deal for our growing community — better response times and more resources keeping us all a little safer.

Pearls & Prosecco Fashion Show Raises Funds for Junior League
The Junior League of Manatee County held its Pearls and Prosecco Fashion Show this week, raising money for community projects across our area. A fabulous event for a great cause — cheers to everyone who made it happen.

Run Manatee 5K Series Kicks Off Year Two
Lace up those running shoes! The Run Manatee 5K Series is back for its second year, with the first race held yesterday at Tom Bennett Park in Bradenton. There are more races coming throughout the spring — a fantastic way to stay active and explore our parks.

Golden Herald Awards Honor Outstanding Seniors
Manatee Memorial Hospital hosted the Golden Herald Awards on April 9 at SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, honoring outstanding Manatee County high school seniors for their service to their schools and communities. These kids are doing amazing things.

Scout Troop 146 Recognized for Flag Retirement Project
At the April 7 County Commission meeting, Dylan Rawley and Scouts from Troop 146 were recognized for their Flag Retirement Project. Since the project began, they've collected and respectfully retired 3,781 American flags. That's dedication and patriotism at its finest.

Bradenton Marauders Season Is Here
Baseball is back at LECOM Park! The Bradenton Marauders kicked off their 16th season with a home opener against the Palm Beach Cardinals on April 7. The homestand runs through today — and on April 11, the first 750 fans scored a schedule magnet and caught the season's first postgame drone show.

Five Students Named National Merit Semifinalists
Five Manatee County students have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, placing them in the top one percent of high school seniors nationwide. Our community's future is looking bright.

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Trail Clearing at Moody Branch Preserve
Manatee County's Natural Resources Department is hosting a trail stewardship day today (April 12) from 9 a.m. to noon at Moody Branch Preserve. Help keep our trails safe and accessible by clearing branches, debris, and overgrowth. Show up, pitch in, feel great. Details at mymanatee.org.

Woofstock Donation Drive
Can't adopt but want to help? Drop off pet supplies at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch through April 18 for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue. Every little bit helps our four-legged friends find their way home.

Until next time, Parrish — keep spreading the good vibes and looking out for each other. We've got a lot to smile about this week.

— Good News Parrish