Calendar

BEST BET

SATURDAY, Aug. 25

SUP CHAMPIONSHIPS

Begins at 7 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The Special Olympics Stand Up Paddle tournament is part of the Florida State Games and will have four levels of competition. The event is free to attend, and food vendors will be on site. An awards ceremony will follow the competition. For information, call Meghan McLean at 352-243-9536, Ext. 504, or visit specialolympicsflorida.org.

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, Aug. 23—SATURDAY Aug. 25

BOOK SALE

Runs from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. Friends of Braden River Library is hosting a book sale at Braden River Library. The event is open to the public. For information, call 727-6079.

SATURDAY, Aug. 25

ANTIQUES, ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR

Runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mixon Fruit Farms, 2525 27th St. E., Bradenton. This fair features arts and craft vendors. The fair is free. Tram tours of the groves also will be available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for $10 per adult or $5 per child (ages 3 to 12). For information, visit mixon.com.

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER

Runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Heritage Harbour Golf and Eatery, 8000 Stone Harbour Loop, Bradenton. The Manatee County Gator Club will host its 2018 Kick-off Tailgate Party and Scholarship Fundraiser to celebrate the start of football season. There will be tailgate games, prizes, an auction, trivia, buffet dinner, raffles and more. Cost is $40 in advance or $50 at the door. RSVP to [email protected] or visit manateegatorclub.com.

SUNDAY, AUG. 26

BRIDGE RUN

Begins at 7:30 a.m. at Fort Hamer Park, 1605 Fort Hamer Road, Parrish. This 1-mile, 5K and 10K fundraising event is for people of all ages. Runners will cross the 4,544-foot bridge going south, travel through the Waterlefe subdivision and then will take different routes depending on the distance. Registration opens at 6 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Parrish YMCA, The Parrish Foundation and Manatee Youth Rowing. For information, visit forthamerbridgerun.com.

CHURCH OPEN HOUSE

Begins at 9:30 a.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 E. State Road 64, Bradenton. Peace Presbyterian Church invites the public to see its new sanctuary.  There will be a grand opening ceremony and a blessing of the sanctuary, as well as a thank you to honor architect Fawley Bryant and contractor Willis A. Smith.  After the worship service, a time capsule will be buried and refreshments served. The church, charted in 2009, moved into its current location on 24 acres in 2013.

FAB & FIT CLUB

Runs from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Join Fabletics as it hosts UTC’s free Fab & Fit Club fitness program. The class will take place in Macy’s Court, lower level. Guests should bring a towel, water bottle and workout or yoga mat. Participants will receive 10% off in the store. For more information, visit mallatutc.com.

SATURDAY, Sept. 1—MONDAY, Sept. 3

SOCCER TOURNAMENT

Begins at 8 a.m. each day at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd, Lakewood Ranch. Hosted by the Chargers Soccer Club, the 2018 Tampa Bay Labor Day Tournament will feature more than 200 U8-U19 teams. Awards will be given to championship teams in each division. Attendance and parking are free. Costs to register a team vary by division. To register or for information, visit chargerssoccer.com.

SATURDAY, Sept. 1

PIG ROAST

Runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Linger Lodge, 7205 85th Street Court East, Bradenton. Manasota Operation Troop Support is throwing a pig roast with a silent auction, raffles, vendors market and beer for sale to support locally deployed troops. This roast will help ship monthly boxes to troops and support those who are serving. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under. For more information, call 782-0748 or email [email protected].

SUNDAY, Sept. 2

REGGAE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Runs from 2-9 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The Reggae Pon Di Lake Pre-Labor Day Party and Music Festival at Nathan Benderson Park will be headlining with MyKal Rose, former lead singer for Black Uhuru. There will be live reggae bands and disc jockeys. Food trucks will be on site. Guest should bring their own blankets and chairs. Tickets are from $30 to $70. For information, contact Shantel Norman at 336-918-1658 or email [email protected].

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 5

RESIDENT ORIENTATION

Begins at 6 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority will share with new Lakewood Ranch residents about Lakewood Ranch as a community, it’s governance structure and other topics. The orientation is free to attend. For information or to RSVP, call 907-0202.

FRIDAY, Sept. 7

MUSIC ON MAIN

Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. Jah Movement will be playing Reggae, top 40, rhythm and blues, funk and soul music while a disc jockey will play the top 100 hits at the other end of Main Street. Attendees can enjoy food and drink, vendor booths and other activities. The event is free to attend. Dogs may be on a short leash, but no coolers allowed. The night’s benefiting charity is the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund. For information, visit lakewoodranch.com.

SATURDAY, Sept. 8

HALF DOZEN DONUT RUN

Runs from 8 a.m. to noon at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The Half Dozen Donut Run provides its racers with a half dozen donuts halfway through the race, and if runners want, they can get even more donuts afterward. The race benefits children affected by a speech disorder called Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Parking costs $5 per vehicle. Registration begins at $25. For more information and fees, contact  [email protected].

SATURDAY, Sept. 15

SUNCOAST JEEP FESTIVAL

Begins at 8 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Come celebrate the Jeep lifestyle while raising money for the Off-Road United Foundation and Operation Smile charities. There will be Jeep vendors, food trucks and entertainment. Entry is free. For information, visit nathanbendersonpark.org or facebook.com/suncoastjeepfestival.

A SHORT DRIVE

SATURDAY, Aug. 25

SOMMERFEST

Runs from 6-10 p.m. at Music Compound, 1751 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota. The first ever Sommerfest at Music Compound hosted by German American Social Club of Sarasota, this is a German culture festival that benefits German exchange students. The event charges $4 beer tickets as well as $1 soda/water tickets that will available during the event. For more information and to buy tickets eventbrite.com/e/sommerfest-tickets-42684210623

THURSDAY, Aug. 30

EVENING WITH HEROES

Runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Avenue West, Bradenton. The event will feature Mark Nutsch, Commander of Operational Detachment Alpha 595, the Special Forces team depicted in the book “Horse Soldiers” and the films “12 Strong” and “Legion of Brothers.” The dinner costs $175 for individual tables. For more information, contact Dave Pfeiffer at 750-9333 or Pete Skokos at 954-4691.