Hey neighbors,
Last chance to hit the Manatee County Fair — it closes Saturday. This week also brings the Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival, a grand opening celebration at Woodland Preserve, and big news on hurricane recovery funding. Here's what's happening.
What's Happening This Week
Manatee County Fair — Final Weekend
Through Saturday, January 25 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The 11-day fair wraps up this week. Catch the Battle of the Beats Drumline Competition (new this year), Puppy Pals Live, the Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show, and the Cowboy Circus before it's gone. Over 530 students are competing in livestock shows.
Cost: $10 adults, $6 kids 6-12 and military, free under 5 Where: Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Avenue W, Palmetto More info →
Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival
Friday-Saturday, January 24-25
Annual fine art festival featuring artists and collectors from across the region. Great opportunity to find unique pieces for your home or office. Free admission.
Where: Main Street, Lakewood Ranch More info →
Woodland Preserve Clubhouse Grand Opening
Saturday, January 24 | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
New active adult community in Parrish is opening its clubhouse with a celebration featuring live steel drum music, light bites, and a poolside party. The new clubhouse includes a fitness center, yoga studio, 8 pickleball courts, card room, and resort-style pool. Open to the public — come check it out.
Where: Woodland Preserve, Parrish (Kolter Homes community) More info →
STEM and School Choice Showcase
Friday, January 24 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Free event showcasing STEM programs and career pathways in Manatee County schools. On-site enrollment available — bring your questions and sign up on the spot. School choice window closes January 31.
Where: Bradenton Convention Center More info →
Ringling by the Bay — Pop Night
Monday, January 19 | 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Live music and dancing along the Sarasota bayfront featuring Weather Boys and Gustav Viehmeyer. Chair seating provided. Food and beverage available for purchase.
Cost: $25 general, $20 members Where: The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota More info →
US Street Nationals
Thursday, January 22 | 8:00 AM onwards
Major drag racing event at Bradenton Motorsports Park. If you've never been to the track, this is a big one.
Where: Bradenton Motorsports Park, 21000 E State Road 64 More info →
Save the Date: Parrish Under the Stars
Saturday, February 7 | 5:00 PM onwards
Mark your calendar — the annual community celebration at Florida Railroad Museum is coming up. More details soon.
Where: Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St E, Parrish More info →
Good News From This Week
Chicken Salad Chick Opens in Parrish
New restaurant alert: Chicken Salad Chick is now open at 8730 US-301 N in Parrish. The Southern-style chain offers 12 made-from-scratch chicken salad varieties with dine-in, patio seating, takeout, delivery, and catering. Before opening, the team raised funds for Feeding Empty Little Tummies (F.E.L.T.), a backpack program supporting food-insecure students.
This is the second Manatee County location for the franchise.
The Joint Chiropractic Opens in Parrish
Another new business on US-301: The Joint Chiropractic opened January 9 at 8730 US-301 #109. They offer walk-in chiropractic care — no appointment necessary.
Amanda Parrish Named Interim CEO of Bradenton Area EDC
Amanda Parrish (yes, same name as our town) has been appointed interim CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation. She's the COO of Fawley Bryant Architecture and a 2019 Business Observer 40 Under 40 winner. The EDC focuses on recruiting and retaining high-wage jobs across Manatee County's 10 communities.
Manatee County Launches $252.7M Hurricane Recovery Program
Big news for storm recovery: Manatee County has launched "Lasting Manatee," a federal disaster recovery program with $252.7 million in funding to address unmet needs from Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.
Programs include housing repair and replacement, infrastructure projects, and economic recovery assistance. 70% of funds are reserved for low-to-moderate income households.
Applications open early 2026 with a 30-day window for individual assistance. Sign up for updates now.
Mattamy Homes Opens Crosswind Ranch in Parrish
Mattamy Homes celebrated the grand opening of Crosswind Ranch on December 4 with seven decorated model homes now open for tours. The master-planned community at 13037 Pierce St. features single-family homes and townhomes starting from the upper $200s, plus two amenity centers with resort-style pools, pickleball courts, tot lot, paw park, and trails.
Major County Facilities Coming in 2026
Construction is underway on several major public facilities:
Athletics & Aquatics Center ($44.2M) — Two pools, 24 pickleball courts. Opens September 2026.
Lakewood Ranch Library 2nd Floor — Opens April 2026.
Sheriff's Office Substation — Opens October 2026.
Rocky Bluff Library Expansion — Construction begins April 2026.
New Bookmobile — Arriving early 2026.
East County swimmers will finally have a local pool for practice.
Taylor Morrison Bringing Third Esplanade Community to Lakewood Ranch
Taylor Morrison announced plans for "Esplanade at Cammaray," a new 1,200-home resort lifestyle community in Lakewood Ranch. The gated community will feature single-family homes, condos, and twin villas with amenities including a resort-style pool, Culinary Center, Wellness Center, tennis and pickleball courts, spa services, and trail system. Sales anticipated early 2027.
John Cannon Homes Creates Lakewood Ranch's First Modern Architecture Home
"Oulina" is now complete in Waterside's Kingfisher Estates — the first flat roofline modern home in Lakewood Ranch. A collaboration between John Cannon Homes, architect Guy Peterson, and Ringling School of Art and Design, the home sold in November for $5.7 million. Cannon will keep it open as an "idea home" for two years.
Volunteer This Week
Feeding Empty Little Tummies (F.E.L.T.) Backpack program supporting food-insecure students on weekends. Contact through Chicken Salad Chick Parrish location for volunteer opportunities. More info →
Lasting Manatee Hurricane Recovery Various recovery services and community support opportunities available. Contact: [email protected] More info →
That's the good news for this week. Fair closes Saturday — last chance to see the drumline battle and dinosaur show.
— Good News Parrish
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