Spring is really showing off this week, Parrish — and so is our community. Between a major golf championship rolling into town, students making us all proud, and a whole lot of free events to check out, there's plenty to smile about. Here's what's making us smile this week.

🎉 Happening Around Town

Manatee County Health & Wellness Expo — Tuesday, April 7 from 4–7 PM at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto. This is Manatee County's very first health and wellness expo, and it's completely free. Over 50 vendors, complimentary health screenings, quick wellness classes, and the first 100 visitors get a free keychain. No excuses — go take care of yourself!

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Golden Herald Awards Ceremony — Thursday, April 9 at the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center. Manatee Memorial Hospital honors outstanding high school seniors who've gone above and beyond in service to their schools and community. If you know a nominee, show up and cheer them on.

Woofstock Pet Supply Donation Drive — April 10–18 across Lakewood Ranch, benefiting Nate's Honor Animal Rescue. Grab some extra pet food, toys, or bedding and drop them off. Our four-legged neighbors will thank you. Check lakewoodranch.com for drop-off details.

Passport Saturday — Saturday, April 11 from 8:30 AM to noon at the Manatee Clerk's office in Bradenton. Walk-ins welcome, no appointment needed. Bring your ID, proof of citizenship, and a check or money order. Summer travel plans, here we come.

Run Manatee 5K — Spring Run — Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 AM at Tom Bennett Park in Bradenton. A scenic route around ponds and mixed terrain, plus a warm-up and yoga cool-down. Registration is $35–$40, and 10% of fees go to Kiwanis Bradenton. Lace up!

The Giving Challenge 2026 — April 15–16, noon to noon. The 10th annual 24-hour online giving event supporting nearly 700 local nonprofits across Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. The Patterson Foundation will provide matching funds for your donations. Even $25 makes a difference — and it gets matched. Visit GivingChallenge.org to participate.

Senior PGA Championship — April 16–19 at The Concession Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch. The first professional major golf tournament in Florida in over 25 years, and it's right in our backyard. A 135-player field includes 21 major champions like Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, and Ernie Els. Single-day passes start at $59.

Manatee Music Series at GT Bray — Friday, April 17 from 6–8 PM at GT Bray Amphitheater in Bradenton. Free outdoor concert as part of the county's Third Friday series. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the evening.

Clerk's Community Shred Day — Saturday, April 18 from 9–11 AM at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto. Free drive-thru shredding of personal documents and old hard drives. Protect yourself from identity theft and clear out that filing cabinet guilt. We all have one.

📰 Good News Roundup

Senior PGA Championship Brings All-Star Field to Lakewood Ranch — This is a big deal for our area. The 86th Senior PGA Championship at The Concession Golf Club marks the first professional major in Florida in over a quarter-century. Tourism agencies have pledged millions in support, and The Concession signed a three-year hosting deal through 2028. Get ready for some world-class golf right down the road.

Five Manatee County Students Named National Merit Semifinalists — Kevin Chen (Braden River High), Richard May (Manatee High), Benjamin Barr (Palmetto High), Pearson L. Walters (St. Stephen's Episcopal), and Sarah Weis (SCF Collegiate School) all scored in the top 1% of high school seniors nationally. They're now eligible for the Benacquisto Scholarship covering full tuition at top Florida universities. We see you, kids — and we're proud.

Parrish Community High School Honors Class of 2026 Top Students — PCHS recognized its highest-achieving seniors in the Class of 2026. Graduation is set for May 20 at LECOM, and these students have earned every bit of that walk across the stage.

Manatee Community Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Spirit of Manatee Awards — The Manatee Community Foundation honored five incredible locals at its 20th annual Celebration of Philanthropy: Ron Allen, Ashley Brown, Mary Glass, Barbara Jennings, and Zoe Lander. Retired Lt. General Walt Piatt, CEO of Wounded Warrior Project, delivered the keynote. Twenty years of celebrating the people who make Manatee County special — that's worth celebrating all on its own.

Lakewood Ranch Entertainment District Takes Shape — Big things are coming to Lakewood Ranch. Urban Air Adventure Park is already open, Backyard Social (food trucks, games, live music) opens this fall, and a three-story electric go-kart track called SkyTrack is on the way for 2027. Life Time Athletic Country Club with pickleball courts and pools opens late this year too.

10th Giving Challenge Set to Rally 700 Nonprofits — The 10th annual Giving Challenge returns April 15–16 with matching funds from The Patterson Foundation. Nearly 700 local nonprofits participate in this 24-hour online giving marathon. The 2024 event raised a jaw-dropping $17.2 million in one day. Let's see if we can top that.

🤝 Ways to Give Back

Humane Society of Manatee County is looking for dog walkers and cat socializers. Free training provided for dog walking (three skill levels). Must be 18+ for dogs, 14+ for the cat rooms.

Manatee Habitat for Humanity welcomes volunteers for home-building projects — individuals, students, retirees, and groups all welcome.

Nate's Honor Animal Rescue is in the final stretch of its $16 million "Journey Home" capital campaign with $4 million still to go. Volunteer, donate, or drop off supplies during the Woofstock drive (April 10–18).

That's the good stuff for this week, Parrish. Go enjoy this gorgeous spring weather, cheer on a student, lace up for a 5K, or just forward this to someone who needs a reason to smile. We'll see you next week with more good news!

— Good News Parrish