- March 16, 2025
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Bradenton 4-year-old Eliza Gore and 3-year-old Colson Wynot watch the Hollywood Racing Pigs.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch High School senior Cody King prepares Ruckess for the show.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch High School junior Madison Roberts introduces Cleetus, to Lakewood Ranch 5-year-old Mackenzie Duff.
Photo by Ian SwabyBraden River Elementary's Madison Vann and Jackson Boyd prepare Curly for the show.
Photo by Ian SwabyMyakka City's Wendell Lanier, Parrish's Oliver Empsall, and Myakka City's Mellanne Coddington and Jacy Lanier explore the fairgrounds.
Photo by Ian SwabyBradenton's Crystal Coronas and 6-year-old Karine Coronas, of Hollywood, provide circus entertainment at the fair.
Photo by Ian SwabyLourdes Capote-Dishaw, a Braden River High School junior, tries to keep Bobbert calm before the auction.
Photo by Ian SwabyNolan Middle School seventh grader Sylvie Theis prepares Colt for the auction.
Photo by Ian SwabyDaniel Jolley from Vermont, known as "Pirate Man Dan," and Bradenton's Marc Dobson give a roving street performance, passing by Palmetto's 3-year-old Brody Brouwer and his father Gus Brouwer.
Photo by Ian SwabyBradenton's Kalie Garretson meets Gilligan the monkey.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe Belle City Amusements Midway includes numerous booths where participants can win prizes.
Photo by Ian SwabyThose wanting something a little sweet at the fair had numerous choices, including these desserts at the Fried Dough Sugar Waffles stand.
Photo by Ian SwabyPinnacle Academy seventh grader Weston Dimon heads back to the barn after showing off Rooster in the auction.
Photo by Ian SwabyHunter McGrath, an eighth grade student at Mona Jain Middle School, shows Big Mac to the crowd during the auction.
Photo by Ian SwabyWilbur of the Hollywood Racing Pigs rolls out his red carpet.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch's Emma Burke tries a camel ride.
Photo by Ian SwabyParrish 3-year-old Harper Dillon and her mother Ashley Dillon enjoy a swinging Manatee County Fair.
Photo by Ian SwabyPalmetto 4-year-old Levi Karnitz, his great aunt, North Port's Kathy Ellefson, and his 9-year-old sister Justine feed the llamas at Giraffic Park Menagerie and Zoo.
Photo by Ian SwabyBradenton 6-year-old Colin Sconberg braves the drop tower alone.
Photo by Ian SwabyBradenton 2-year-old Jameson Taal and Wauchula 7-year-old Paxton Braun enjoy the front row.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch High School junior Alexis Rissler leads her cow, Beau, during the auction.
Photo by Ian SwabyBradenton's Haydon McLaughlin feeds goats at Giraffic Park Menagerie and Zoo.
Photo by Ian SwabyWith the steer auction about ready to begin Saturday at the Manatee County Fair, the 4-H and FFA members who were showing livestock were busy making final preparations.
But it wasn't just a few hours of preparations. Those kids had been preparing for the event for quite some time.
“It’s not a day long, not a week long — it’s nine months,” said Bradenton rancher Warren Rogers, whose Big Mac steer was being shown by Lakewood Ranch's Hunter McGrath, an eighth grader at Mona Jain Middle School.
McGrath said the experience of caring for Big Mac was both fun and educational.
McGrath’s mother, Peggy Kronus, said it would be difficult to see the steer finally go after being auctioned off.
“It’s going to be sad tonight,” Kronus said. “Last night was tough, and this morning was tough.”
While the cold kept the crowd down, those who attended the fair Jan. 14 were enjoying all it had to offer.
“Very cold. Very good,” Bradenton’s Trucilla Anderson said.
The fair continues through Jan. 22.
