The Bradenton Area River Regatta is returning for it’s seventh annual event after being canceled last year due to Covid-19. The free event will be held this Saturday, February 12th at the Manatee River and will include powerboat races, live music, and family fun. Over 100,000 spectators are expected to attend.
The main event of the day is the F-2 powerboat race, featuring Formula 2 boats that can reach a top speed of 120 mph. New for 2022, the regatta will also include SST-45 “Formula Lights” powerboats. These boats only reach a top speed of 70 mph, but their agile maneuvering makes for an exciting race.
Powerboat Racing Schedule
10:30 AM – 12 PM: Test runs
1 PM: Formula 2 qualifying heats
2 PM: SST-45 qualifying heats
4 PM: Formula 2 final
5 PM: SST-45 final
Those on land can enjoy live music throughout the day in both Bradenton and Palmetto. The Bradenton stage will feature headlining cover bands Almost ABBA and The Blooze and the Randy McNeely Band and the Andy Pursell Band will play in Palmetto. The music will begin at 12 PM and will wrap with the headliners performing at 5:45 PM.
Kicking off the day’s events are the DeSoto Little Anglers Fishing Tournament at the Palmetto Fishing Pier at 8:30 AM. Attendees can enjoy the Pittsburgh Pirates/Bradenton Marauders family fun zone and food festival in Bradenton and the US Army and National Guard family fun zone in Palmetto. Performances by stunt dogs and the Distinguished Daredevils will be held in Bradenton. The day will end with bang at 7pm,with a firework spectacular from Zambelli Fireworks over the Manatee River.
View the full event details and event schedule here.