Bridge the Gap Events

Bridging the Gap: Anna Maria Island Fall Event Update...

'Bridging the Gap' events kick off this week, with The Dr. Dave Band headlining the Concert in the Park on Saturday in Holmes Beach.

After nearly four months of planning, the Island’s 'Bridging the Gap' fall events schedule gets under way this week with a host of fun events that should take some of the sting out of the closure of the Anna Maria Island Bridge.

Come on out and help support the Anna Maria Island business and local community.

The 'Bridging the Gap' fall event schedule was conceived, and strategically planned, as a way to help offset, and even over come, the economic effects of closing the Anna Maria Island Bridge to traffic for 6 weeks starting this week.

Bridge the Gap to Anna Maria Island - It's time to 'Bridge the Gap' and over come the negative effects of the inevitable closure of the Anna Maria Island Bridge.

Current 'Bridging the Gap' Event Schedule:

Thursday, October 2nd

Karaoke Contest
7:00 pm
Elks Club, Bradenton
2511 75th St W
Bradenton, FL 34209


Saturday, October 4th

Bridge Street Market
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
(Lot next to the fish hole)

Miniature Golf Tournament
10:00 am
The Fish Hole
117 Bridge St.
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

Concert in the Park
12:00 – 7:00 pm
Holmes Beach Field
4801 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, FL 34217
(Behind City Hall)

Pickle Ball
2:15 – 4:15 pm
AMI Community Center
407 Magnolia
Anna Maria, FL 34216


Sunday, October 5th

Skimboard Bash
7:30 am
Beachhouse
200 Gulf Dr. N
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217


Thursday, October 9th

Karaoke Contest
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Anchor Inn

Karaoke Contest
9:00 pm
Drift Inn, Bridge Street


Friday, October 10th

Pot Luck Dinner & Movie Night
7:00 pm
AMI Community Center
407 Magnolia
Anna Maria, FL 34216


Saturday, October 11th

Trolly Scavenger Hunt
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sand Bar (Extra Parking Lot)
Gulf Drive Next to Green Real Estate
Gulf Drive and Magnolia

Island Wing Ding
TBA
Bridge Street Pier
200 bridge St.
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

Pickle Ball
2:15 – 4:15 pm
AMI Community Center
407 Magnolia
Anna Maria. FL 34216


Sunday, October 12th

Softball Tournament
2:00 pm
Holmes Beach Field
4801 Marina Dr.
Holmes Beach, FL 34217 (Behind City Hall)

Karaoke Contest
9:00 pm
Drift Inn, Bridge Street


Saturday, October 18th

Bayfest
10:00 am – 10:00 pm
All of Pine Avenue in Anna Maria
Anna Maria, FL

Bridge Street Market
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bridge Street (Lot next to The Fish Hole)
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

Pickle Ball
2:15 – 4:15 pm
AMI Community Center
407 Magnolia
Anna Maria, FL 34216


Sunday, October 19th

Karaoke Contest
9:00 pm
Drift Inn, Bridge Street


Saturday, October 25th

AME Fall Festival
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Anna Maria Elementary School
Anna Maria, FL 34216

Pickle Ball
2:15 – 4:15 pm
Anna Maria Island Community Center
407 Magnolia
Anna Maria, FL 34216

Open Air Market
8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Holmes Beach Field (Behind City Hall)
4801 marina drive
Holmes Beach, FL 34217

Dog Costume Contest
1:00 pm
AMI Sun Newspaper
9801 Gulf Dr.
Anna Maria, FL 34216


Sunday, October 26th

Softball Tournament
2:00 pm
Holmes Beach Field (Behind City Hall)
4801 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, FL 34217

Kayak Tournament
9:00 am
Beachhouse
200 Gulf Dr. N
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

Karaoke Contest
9:00 pm
Drift Inn, Bridge Street


Friday, October 31st

Haley-Ween Party
4:00 pm - ?
AMI Chamber
5313 Gulf Dr.
Holmes Beach, 34217 (Starting Point)


Saturday, November 1st

Bridge Street Market
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bradenton Beach

Fishing Tournament
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Bridge Street

Motorcycle Pier Run
10:00 am
Duffy’s


Saturday, November 8th

Karaoke Finals
TBA
Rotten Ralphs-Anna Maria
Anna Maria, FL


Friday, November 14th

ArtsHop
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
5:30 – 7:30 pm (Anna Maria Art League)
5:30 – 7:30 pm (Artist Guild Gallery)
5:30 – 7:30 pm (Island Gallery West)
5:30 – 7:30 pm (The Studio at Gulf & Pine)


Saturday, November 15th

Progressive Realtor Open House
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Entire Island

Bridge Street Market
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 (Lot next to The Fish Hole)

The Historical Society Museum
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
402 Pine Ave.
Anna Maria, FL 34216

Arts & Crafts Show
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
4801 Marina Dr.
Holmes Beach, FL (Behind City Hall)

All-Island Golf Tournament
12:00 pm
Key Royale Golf Club

Concert on the Green
1:00 – 4:00 pm
AMI Community Center
Anna Maria, FL 34216

Island Players
8:00 pm
Anna Maria, FL 34216


Sunday, November 16th

Arts & Crafts Show
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Holmes Beach Field
4801 Marina Dr. (Behind City Hall)

AMI Community Chorus & Orchestra
2:00 pm
Crosspointe Fellowship Church
8605 Gulf Dr.
Anna Maria, FL 34216

Stay tuned to the Anna Maria Island Life blog for up to date information about the Bridge Closure, the Bridging the Gap Events, and the 2009 Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival!

More Information on the Anna Maria Island Bridge and Potential Closures

Reaction to Anna Maria Island Bridge Closure - "It is not quite the end of the world, but the Anna Maria Island community is starting to get nervous."  Nervous over the Anna Maria Island bridge closure that is.

Anna Maria Island Bridge to be Closed for Repairs - The Department of Transportation is planning on closing the Anna Maria Island Bridge for 75 Days this coming spring.

Anna Maria Island Bridge Replacement Survey - If the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) were to choose a replacement bridge for the 17-foot-high Anna Maria Island Drawbridge, there’s a good chance it would be a lot taller.

Anna Maria Island Residents Question Bridge's Future - Rehabilitation of the Anna Maria Island Bridge is four months away. In the mean time, local Anna Maria Island residents want to know what the island's next bridge is going be.

65 Foot Fixed Span Bridge Proposed for Anna Maria Island - Although the planned 45-day closure (for repairs) of the Anna Maria Bridge is just around the corner, a much taller "fixed span bridge" may be in the works. Because so often boaters have to wait for the existing Anna Maria drawbridge to lift so they can pass under, a taller fixed span bridge is being discussed as a possible, more permanent solution.

More Information on the 'Bridging the Gap' Bridge Closure Fall Celebrations

Anna Maria Island Merchants, Beach Businesses, Arts Groups and Community Organizations Plan Fall Events... Merchants on Anna Maria Island, members of the local business community, groups and organizations are helping to plan 30 events between September 29th and November 16... in an effort to draw people out to the island during bridge renovations.

Bridge Closure Celebrations to Support Local Economy and Business Community -  Although closing one of the only two main arteries connecting our precious little island to the mainland will undoubtedly disrupt our daily routine, we hope the impact of the bridge closure and it's required repairs won’t be catastrophic for either the island's residence or it's local business community.

Bridging the Gap as an Alternative to Closing Your Business - As the Anna Maria Island bridge closure nears, it's become clear that closing your business this fall is a bad idea. At least, that’s the message from within the Anna Maria Island’s business community as they band together to produce "Bridging the Gap," a six-week-long series of weekend events intended to both entertain as well as to draw people out to the Island despite the bridge’s closure.

Support Local Businesses During Bridge Closure - Mark Davis, chairman of the board for the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, asked Anna Maria Island residence to remember their local business community. In a nut shell, he said... "Shop the Island and enjoy."

Bridging the Gap Events to Start on Bridge St - "When the Anna Maria Island Bridge closes Monday, Sept. 29, for six weeks of rehabilitation and repair, we’ll be on our own. Left with one direct link (the Cortez Bridge) to the mainland, access will be limited."

Anna Maria Islands Trolley Scavenger Hunt - As part of the "Bridging the Gap” efforts, a Scavenger Hunt using the Anna Maria Island Trolley system is planned for Saturday, October 11, from 9 am -3 pm. Over $15,000 in prizes will be given away and a portion of the proceeds will benefit an island charity or family in need.

Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival Celebration

Last year's, inaugural Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival was such a huge success that local wedding merchants are already busy making plans, for what promises to be, the best wedding festival ever. If you are planning a wedding, vow renewal or wedding related event, or you know someone who is... visit the Anna Maria Island Wedding Directory today.

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Your one stop information and resource for the Anna Maria Island region of Florida.