Manatee County Explore and Play

If you're dreaming of a wedding that's both elegant and unforgettable, Mixon Farms offers the perfect backdrop for your special day. Exchange vows beneath the canopy of majestic oak trees, celebrate with family and friends in beautiful indoor and outdoor reception spaces and enjoy thoughtfully designed amenities, including dedicated bridal and groom suites to get ready in comfort. Guests can mingle over drinks at the full-service bar while taking in the natural beauty that makes every celebration feel truly unique.

Whether you're planning an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, Mixon Farms provides a charming venue where lasting memories are made.

Start planning your dream wedding today and learn more about venue rentals: https://www.mymanatee.org/mixon-farms

📍 Mixon Farms
2525 27th Street East, Bradenton

📸 Photos by: Ying Multimedia

Happy National Snake Day from Jerry's Wildlife! 🐍

Meet the Coachwhip, one of Florida's most fascinating native snakes! Known as the fastest snake in North America, coachwhips can move at incredible speeds as they hunt lizards, rodents, insects and even other snakes. Despite their impressive speed, they are nonvenomous and prefer to flee rather than confront people.

Snakes like the coachwhip play an important role in keeping ecosystems healthy by naturally controlling rodent and insect populations. They are an important part of Florida's food web and help maintain balance in our native habitats.

If you spot a snake outdoors, the best thing you can do is give it plenty of space and let it continue on its way. By respecting and protecting snakes, we're helping protect the health of our environment, too.

Want to discover more incredible snakes and Florida wildlife? Head over to to see more amazing native species and learn how to safely appreciate the wildlife that calls Florida home.

Calling all future pickleball stars!

Looking for a fun way to keep your child active this summer? Join us for our Youth Pickleball Clinic on Wednesday, July 30, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Young athletes will learn the fundamentals of pickleball, build their skills and have a blast on the court in a fun and supportive environment.

📍 Date: July 30
⏰ Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
💲 Cost: $25

Spots are limited, so don't wait! Register today: https://bit.ly/MCSLPickleballPrograms

What a way to celebrate Race No. 2 of the Run Manatee 5K Series, presented by RWP Runs! We had an amazing time at Coquina Beach this past Saturday, running, dancing, cooling off in the splash zones, stretching with sunset yoga and celebrating with everyone who joined us for this second sold-out race. Events like these bring our community together, promote healthy living and create lasting memories for all ages.

Missed out on the fun? There's still one more chance to be part of the series! Join us at Rye Preserve this November to complete the connecting medal series and experience the excitement for yourself. Register today at mymanatee.org/runmanatee. Your return on community starts with showing up—we can't wait to see you at the finish line!

To see more photos from the race: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCYVh5

Your Return on Community

The Manatee County Natural Resources Department will conduct a 95-acre prescribed burn at Rye Preserve today, west of the Manatee River.

A portion of Rye Preserve along Woodstock Road will be closed temporarily while the burn is underway and will reopen once conditions are safe.

Prescribed burns are a vital land management tool that help:
🌳Restore and maintain healthy native habitats
🔥Reduce the risk of future wildfires by removing excess vegetation

Your Return on Community: Restoring Our Natural Spaces 🌱

Join us for Give-A-Day for the Bay as we help restore native groundcover at Duette Preserve! Spend the morning outdoors making a lasting impact on one of Manatee County's treasured natural areas while earning service hours and giving back to the environment.

📅 WED, July 22
🕣 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Be sure to wear sun protection and close-toed shoes, and bring a refillable water bottle. Cold water and lunch will be provided.

Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or looking for a new way to get involved, your time and effort help keep Manatee County's preserves healthy for generations to come. We hope to see you there!

Sign up here: https://events.humanitix.com/groundcover-restoration-at-duette-preserve
Save the FB event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1030312676160463

Every light matters during sea turtle nesting season.

Artificial lighting along beaches can disorient nesting sea turtles and hatchlings, causing them to become disoriented and crawl away from the Gulf and into the streets and storm drains. That's why using turtle-friendly lighting is so important on Anna Maria Island.

Choose long-wavelength amber or red turtle-friendly lights with shielded fixtures that direct light downward. Avoid bright white or blue lights, illuminating pools or patios near the beach and leaving blinds or curtains open at night. Even indoor lighting can impact sea turtles if it's visible from the beach.

By making a few simple changes, you're helping protect nesting female turtles and you’re giving hatchlings the best chance to safely reach the gulf. Swipe through these photos to see examples of turtle-friendly lighting and lighting that should be avoided. Together, we can all do our part to keep our beaches safe (and dark) for sea turtles.

Your Return on Community: Making Waves

Looking for the perfect way to beat the summer heat? Head over to Lincoln Aquatic Center for a day of fun in the sun!

📍 715 17th St. E., Palmetto, 34221

Summer swim hours:
💦 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
💦 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Whether you're swimming laps, splashing with the family or enjoying the play structures, Lincoln Aquatic Center is the perfect place to cool off and make lasting summer memories. Grab your sunscreen, bring your friends and family and make waves this summer in Manatee County!

'Twas the night before Race No. 2 of the Run Manatee 5K Series (Presented by RWP Runs), and the excitement is building!

Tomorrow, Coquina Beach comes alive with an evening of running, community and summer fun. While the race is officially sold out, everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the festivities, cheer on the runners and soak in the beachside atmosphere.

Want to complete the connecting-medal series? Registration is still open for the final race at Rye Preserve on November 21 at https://runsignup.com/runmanateepreserve2026. We can't wait to see you at the starting line—or on the sidelines—tomorrow evening!

Your Return on Community with the Power of Play: Summer campers have been having a blast! Last week was packed with summer fun, from an action-filled field day to cooling off in the pool and playing games in the gym. Campers wrapped up the day with a sweet treat from Kona Ice, making it a day full of smiles, laughter and unforgettable summer memories.