Weekend Adventures in Bradenton: February 22-24, 2013

BRADENTON – Mardi Gras is coming to town this Sunday. Need we say more? We will, because there's plenty of other fun to be had this weekend if you're not in the mood to see the wildest annual parade around. Baseball is here! The Black & Gold intrasquad game will take place at McKechnie on Friday, then come back to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates face off against the Atlanta Braves in their Grapefruit League home opener on Sunday. And if you're feeling crafty, Palmetto Art Center is offering a polymer clay bracelet and pendant class for the whole family on Saturday (8+). Whether you're in the mood for bead-throwing, a ballgame, or bringing about new art creations, it's all going down right here: it's time for another Weekend Adventure!

The annual Rubonia Mardi Gras Parade is set for 2 p.m. Sunday. The parade starts at Bayshore Road and I-275, traveling south down Bayshore to Palmview. 

The parade began dates back to 1980 when the Crew of the Mystic Rainbow put together a few modest floats and marched through the small town of Rubonia, just north of Palmetto. Over the years, it has grown into a much bigger affair with floats and crews coming from far and wide to participate.

A $2 donation will be asked of all revelers. Profits from the event will benefit the Rubonia Community Center.

The Parade is full of excitement, odd sights and sounds, and an atmosphere that's unlike any other parade, so don't miss it! A history of the storied festival can be read in a classic 2011 Sunday Favorites article from TBT's Merab Favorite. 

Rubonia Mardi Gras Parade

Sunday, February 24, 2 p.m.

Starting at Bayshore Road & I-275 and traveling south

Bradenton

The Pittsburgh Pirates will open their 2013 Spring Training schedule Friday at noon with the Black and Gold Game. All tickets for the 5 1/2-inning intrasquad contest cost $8 and proceeds benefit the Manatee Educational Foundation, Wakeland Elementary School, and G.D. Rogers Garden Elementary School.

McKechnie Field

Gates will open at 10:30 a.m. for Spring Training season ticket holders and 11:00 a.m. for everyone else. The Black and Gold Game is the first of 18 Pirates Spring Training games at McKechnie Field this season. This Sunday at 1:00 p.m. will be team's Grapefruit League home opener. The Pirates will host the Braves. In addition to the 16 home Grapefruit League games, Team Spain will visit McKechnie Field for an exhibition game on Tuesday, March 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Black and Gold Intrasquad Game

Friday, February 22, noon 

McKechnie Field

1611 9th Street West

Bradenton

Pirates vs. Braves - Grapefruit League opener

Sunday, February 24, 1pm

McKechnie Field

1611 9th Street West

Bradenton

Polymer clays are ideal for jewelry-pins, earrings, pendants-and for figures, doll faces, and beads. Using Sculpey polymer clay, your creations are endless. In this 3 hour class we will easily learn the how-to of the initial prep of the clay as well sculpting techniques of our clay tiles and walk out of class with a beautiful sculpted bracelet. Students will have the opportunity to free form their own tiles as well as using clay cutters to form the tiles for their bracelet.

Pigment powders and inks will be used with clay tiles. If desired, rubber stamps will be available to use to make impressions in the clay as well as stamping images onto the bracelet tiles. If you have made a clay bracelet with PAC in the past, there is also an alternative option of barrette or pendant, complete with necklace and creative findings to complete projects. 

Children 8 and above are welcome. There is a minimum of three participants to hold the class. Fee for the class is $20 plus $5 for materials. Bring a bag lunch to eat while clay bakes! Call Leah at (941) 704-3074 to RSVP. 

Polymer Clay Bracelets & Pendants with Leah Snyder

Palmetto Art Center