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Well, here we are in the heart of Florida's perfect season —
sunshine, mild mornings, and our community buzzing with activity.
Whether you're a longtime Parrish resident or new to our corner of Manatee County, there's so much to celebrate right now. Here's what's making us smile this week.

Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Crack of the bat, green grass, and that spring training magic — the Pirates are in town through March 6 at LECOM Park in Bradenton. Grab tickets and head out for some baseball with the neighbors. Tickets vary, so check MLB.com for the full schedule and pricing.

Living History at De Soto National Memorial Step back in time today (February 22) from 10 AM to 3 PM. Try on suits of armor, handle replica artifacts, and learn about Indigenous and European history at this interactive event in Bradenton. Best part? It's free, and the whole family will be fascinated.

Florida Highwaymen Art Exhibit & Sale This weekend (February 27–28) at Palma Sola Botanical Park, original paintings from the legendary Highwaymen artists of the 1960s–70s will be on display and available to purchase. There's a preview Friday evening and a public show Saturday — free admission, plus a chance to meet the artists. This is a special one.

Faith & Freedom Fest Manatee Saturday, February 28, 1–6 PM at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto. Live music, worship, speakers, food vendors, and family games — all free. It's a wonderful way to connect with our community and celebrate together.

Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival March 7–8, 10 AM–5 PM on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, ceramics, fiber art, woodworking — dozens of talented artists showing their work. Free admission, so bring the whole family.

🚂 Coming Soon:
Day Out with Thomas Mark your calendars for March 14–15, 21–22, and 28! Thomas the Tank Engine is rolling into the Florida Railroad Museum right here in Parrish. Meet Sir Topham Hatt, enjoy live entertainment, and ride the rails. $21–$30 per person. It's a beloved tradition our families look forward to every year.

West Manatee Fire & Rescue — Triple Award Win Three of our local heroes just earned statewide recognition from the Florida Fire Chiefs Association. Josh Atkins was named Fire Inspector of the Year, Rodney Pawlowski received Fire Marshall of the Year, and Deputy Chief Jay Johnson was honored as Executive of the Year. We're so grateful for their dedication to keeping our community safe.

Duette Preserve Ranger Honored Park Ranger Clayton McCurry at Duette Preserve has been recognized for his outstanding conservation work and positive attitude. His habitat restoration efforts and genuine care for our natural spaces remind us why preserving places like Duette is so important.

Palm Aire Women's Club Scholarship Fundraiser Success The Palm Aire Women's Club, celebrating over 65 years of service to our community, just wrapped their "Passion for Fashion" event — and it was a huge success. They raised funds that will support six student scholarships (four to State College of Florida, two to Manatee Technical College) plus five local charities helping women and children. Every single dollar went straight to those causes. With 160+ members, this group keeps showing us what community spirit looks like.

Manatee County Animal Welfare Fundraiser We love the creativity here: Manatee County Animal Welfare held a "Put Your Ex in a Litter Box" fundraiser, and the proceeds are going straight to surgeries and medicines for rescued animals in our county. A little humor with a huge heart — that's us.

Parrish Health & Fitness Center Reopens Great news for our health-conscious neighbors: The Parrish Health & Fitness Center reopened February 2 under a new partnership between Parrish Healthcare and the YMCA of Central Florida. The YMCA handles daily fitness and wellness operations while Parrish Healthcare provides on-site clinical services. It's a win-win for our community's wellness.

Spirit of Manatee 2026 Honorees Announced The Manatee Community Foundation just announced the honorees for its 20th annual Spirit of Manatee gala (March 25 at Palmetto Marriott): Ron Allen, Ashley Brown, Mary Glass, Barbara Jennings, and Zoe Lander. These five folks are being celebrated for the real difference they've made in our corner of the world. They're the kind of neighbors who quietly change everything.

Know someone making a difference in Parrish or Manatee County? Have an event or story to share? Reply to this email or tag us on social media — we'd love to celebrate your community wins with everyone.

Native Plant Restoration at Robinson Preserve Tuesday, February 25, 9–11 AM. Plant beach sunflower and native species to support pollinators and wildlife. Sign up at mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. No experience needed — just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to get your hands a little dirty for our natural spaces.

That's what's happening in our neighborhood this week. We hope you'll get out there, say hello to a neighbor, and soak up all the good stuff.

See you around Parrish!
Good News Parrish

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