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Enjoy The Blues

Blues Fest among Bradenton's weekend highlights.

This weekend in downtown Bradenton is primarily about the blues, but not in a sad way. It’s the Bradenton Blues Fest and it kicks off with a teaser on Friday followed by two events on Saturday. Even though Saturday’s main event is happening on Riverwalk, we still like the idea of closing down Old Main Street on Saturday evening to coincide with the party at the park. That’s because there is easy access and bar-hopping opportunities at places we love like Old Main Pub, McCabe’s Irish Pub, Lost Kangaroo, O’Bricks Irish Pub & Martini Bar, Cork’s Cigar Bar and Distillery Tavern. And Old Main Street is where you’ll find plenty of drinks (The ‘Roo itself has more than 170 varieties of beer), cigars (Cork’s has brands like Cusano, Oliva, Romeo y …

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Last Call Hosting Cancer Awareness Benefit

Toga and pajama parties this weekend, too.

Last Call Sports Bar & Grill, 2604 Manatee Ave. E., is hosting a benefit this Saturday to help out a friend in need. The event is a Cancer Awareness Benefit is for Maggie Riester, who has recently been diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer after beating breast cancer years ago. All proceeds will go toward helping Maggie and her family with medical bills and other daily needs, said her longtime friend and co-worker, Mary Pendleton-Brown, an organizer of the event. There will be activities all day, live music, food and more starting at noon with a pool tournament. Registration for the tournament begins at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $10. A barbeque chicken dinner with sides will be served between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The suggested donation for a …

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Final ‘Get Down’ Is Thursday Night

But there’s always something happening on Old Main Street – seven days a week.

Get Down Downtown is wrapping up for the season. The final Get Down of the 2011-12 season is 5-10 p.m. Thursday. Kimberly Betts and the Gamble Creek Band, a country music band, takes the stage at 6 p.m. Remember, Old Main Street between Manatee and Fourth avenues west will be barricaded to vehicular traffic around 1:30 p.m., so please move your car or risk a tow. There is no age limit to be on Old Main Street during the event, but you must be at least 21 to get into the bars. Alcohol is permitted on the street while it is barricaded as long as it’s not in a glass container. The next Get Down Downtown will be in September. But that doesn’t mean the fun stops on Old Main Street! In fact, there’s something happening seven days a week at one …

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Paws in Motion Walk-a-thon Benefits No-Kill Mission

The walk-a-thon, in its 6th year,attracted a big crowd in downtown Bradenton to help raise money for Manatee County no-kill.

The 6th annual Paws in Motion walk-a-thon, partnered with the Artful Purpose Arts Show and Bradenton Farmers Market, in an event designed to support pet adoptions and Manatee's mission to become a no-kill county.

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