Manatee County Explore and Play

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Manatee County Explore and Play Welcome to Manatee County Explore & Play where we provide features, news and events happening at our parks and preserves!
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Premier Sports Campus is a multi-purpose facility that has 22 full-sized, mixed use fields for soccer, lacrosse and other amateur sports. Other events include soccer camps and clinics. The Lakewood Ranch Chargers soccer program is a host tenant at the facility to expand its program including tournaments and leagues.

Ready to kick off some friendly competition? Friday Night Kickball is back for the Winter 2026 season. Gather your team...
10/23/2026

Ready to kick off some friendly competition? Friday Night Kickball is back for the Winter 2026 season. Gather your team and get ready for a fun night on the field.

📅 Games start November 6
💲 $400 per team
📝 Registration runs October 19–November 23

Register online at https://bit.ly/3UHwRyW or in person at the G.T. Bray Recreation Center.

Questions? Contact Barb Sousa at [email protected] or 941-742-5923.

Run Manatee 5K Series Presented by RWP Runs Race #3 is headed to Rye Preserve on November 21, and this one is bringing ...
10/23/2026

Run Manatee 5K Series Presented by RWP Runs Race #3 is headed to Rye Preserve on November 21, and this one is bringing all the nature vibes!

We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Healthy Kids Running Series, adding to the fun on race day. Choose a distance, starting from a 50-yard dash all the way up to 1 mile. Whether you’ve been running the series from the start or are joining us for the first time, there’s something for everyone. Complete the series and earn your final medal!

A pre-race warm-up will be provided by F45 Parrish. Celebrate your finish with yoga from The Yoga Barre and a post-race party featuring a live DJ. We can’t wait to see runners of all ages and abilities at the starting line!

REGISTER NOW:
https://runsignup.com/runmanateepreserve2026

Venture into the swamp to discover its mysteries and the whereabouts of missing fisherman Curtis Wallace. Become an inve...
10/22/2026

Venture into the swamp to discover its mysteries and the whereabouts of missing fisherman Curtis Wallace. Become an investigator, find hidden clues, and collect items you will need to solve this enigma. Multiple sessions available on November 6 and 7 at Robinson Preserve's The NEST, 840 99th Street (Bradenton).

Program suitable for ages 8 and up. Reservations are required. Register online at https://parks.mymanatee.org/webtrac/web/search.html?interfaceparameter=WebTrac_NaturalResources&primarycode=110008

From land to sea, four legs to none, Florida is home to an incredible variety of reptiles! 🐢🐊🐍From turtles and alligator...
10/21/2026

From land to sea, four legs to none, Florida is home to an incredible variety of reptiles! 🐢🐊🐍

From turtles and alligators to snakes and lizards, you can spot these fascinating animals in our parks, beaches and preserves. Sharing these natural spaces with the wildlife that calls them home is part of what makes exploring Manatee County so special.

Happy National Reptile Awareness Day! What reptiles have you spotted on your adventures in our parks? Let us know in the comments.

What an amazing time at Goblin Gathering Presented by Prime Time Event Rentals! 🎃👻 Thank you to all the vendors, exhibit...
10/20/2026

What an amazing time at Goblin Gathering Presented by Prime Time Event Rentals! 🎃👻 Thank you to all the vendors, exhibitors and volunteers who helped make this fun-filled event possible and everyone who came out. From trick-or-treating and bounce houses to hayrides and costume contests, it was a night full of Halloween fun for the whole family.

Thank you also to our Community Sponsors, and Mojoe Photobooth, and Costume Contest sponsors, Pet Supplies, Chick-Fil-A, Tommy’s Express Car Wash and Sport Clips. We appreciate your support in creating a memorable Halloween celebration for our community.

🍂 Fall is in the air at Mixon Farms! 🎃Join us for this week’s Fall Harvest Market Pop-Up on Sunday, October 25, from 9 a...
10/20/2026

🍂 Fall is in the air at Mixon Farms! 🎃

Join us for this week’s Fall Harvest Market Pop-Up on Sunday, October 25, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m., for a festive day full of seasonal fun. Take in the fall decorations, stop by the pumpkin patch, shop local vendors and enjoy live music from The Doodz, sponsored by AAA Insurance.

Plus, don’t miss the Mini Wedding Showcase happening throughout the day in partnership with Shy Chic Boutique.

Bring the family, grab a friend and come enjoy a little fall at Mixon Farms!

📍 Mixon Farms
2525 27th St. E., Bradenton
⏰ Sunday, October 25 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Save the date on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BkfzZGWfB/

Is your homeschool teen ready to explore? Join other teens on the trail as we explore a new place each month in Teen Wil...
10/19/2026

Is your homeschool teen ready to explore? Join other teens on the trail as we explore a new place each month in Teen Wild Trails. Our next adventure, on November 10, will take us to Moody Branch (Duette) Wildlife and Environmental Area to trek around 6 miles in a beautiful scrub habitat.

Register by visiting: https://events.humanitix.com/teen-wild-trails-nov-2026.
Teen Wild Trails Adventure Club is a free program for environmentally passionate teens, ages 13-17, to explore Manatee County’s habitats and resources in partnership with Big Waters Land Trust. We will be meeting on the second Wednesday of select months to explore a new wild trail on the county map. Check out our adventure calendar!

💗 Breast Cancer Awareness Week 💗Throughout the week, G.T. Bray and John Marble Recreation Centers will be going PINK! We...
10/19/2026

💗 Breast Cancer Awareness Week 💗

Throughout the week, G.T. Bray and John Marble Recreation Centers will be going PINK! Wear your pink, bring a friend and celebrate with us through a full lineup of events focused on movement, wellness, education, hope and connection.

🎀 October 18 | Zumba Pink Party
Dance, move and celebrate with five instructors at G.T. Bray from 9–10:30 a.m.

🎀 October 19 | My Breast Friends + Pink Party in the Pool
Stop by G.T. Bray from 8 a.m.–noon for the My Breast Friends resource table, then make a splash at John Marble from 10–11:30 a.m.

🎀 October 20 | Pink Party in the Pool + Breast Health Discussion
Join the pool party at G.T. Bray from 10–11:30 a.m., then learn more about breast health, early detection and compassionate care with Dr. Heidi Emrani from 6–7 p.m.

🎀 October 21 | Manatee Gynecology
Join us at G.T. Bray from 11 a.m.–noon for a community health discussion.

🎀 October 22 | Therapeutic Yoga & Sound Bath
Take time for movement, stillness and connection at G.T. Bray from 11–11:45 a.m.

🎀 October 23 | Walk of Hope
Join us for a one-mile leisurely walk around the G.T. Bray complex at 10 a.m. to celebrate and honor cancer survivors, thrivers and caregivers. Wear pink and get creative!

🎀 All Week | Wall of Hope
Pick up a pink ribbon, write your name or the name of a loved one, and add it to our Wall of Hope as we celebrate survivors and honor those we have lost.

Come celebrate with us, wear your pink and help bring awareness to breast cancer throughout our community. 💗

GT Bray Rec Center: 5502 33rd Ave Dr W, Bradenton, 34209
John H. Marble Rec Center: 3675 53rd Ave E, Bradenton, 34203

Save the Facebook Events: https://www.facebook.com/manateecountyexploreandplay/events

10/17/2026

Manatee County, get ready to make a splash! 🏊‍♀️🎾 A new hub for pickleball and swimming is coming to Premier Sports Campus North, bringing even more opportunities to get active, learn new skills and have fun. Whether you’re ready to hit the court or dive in, there’s plenty to look forward to!

The center will also feature an Olympic-sized competition pool, a second pool for lessons and aquatic activities and 24 pickleball courts (14 covered!). It’s another exciting addition to recreation opportunities in East Manatee County!

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Bradenton, FL

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