Expect heavier-than-normal beach traffic and crowds over the upcoming Easter weekend. With tens of thousands of residents and visitors taking full advantage of Manatee County’s world-famous white sands and refreshing Gulf waters, additional law enforcement and first responders will be stationed on Anna Maria Island to keep their time at the beach safe. Additional public port-a-lets will be strategically placed near the public beaches and will be serviced daily over the weekend. In addition, trash will be removed from public beach areas more frequently. As a reminder, alcohol consumption is prohibited on public beaches. While the Palma Sola Causeway Park is pet friendly, pets are prohibited on the other public beaches. Beachgoers should expect heavy traffic on island roads and on the Manatee Avenue and Cortez Avenue bridges. Motorists may experience significant delays when traveling to the Island and should note that public parking areas will likely reach full capacity. Barricades will be placed along Gulf Drive in several locations to assist with traffic control and to help prevent illegal parking. Drivers cannot save parking spaces for other vehicles, double park or park in undesignated lots or spaces. Harris pointed out that MCAT is maintaining its hourly schedule of buses to the beach along Route 3 (Manatee Avenue) and Route 6 (Cortez Road). Riders are encouraged to board at the Desoto Station and ride to the beach along Route 6 or park and ride from the Beach Way Plaza at Manatee Avenue and 75th Street on the Number 3 bus. The Anna Maria Trolley will run every 20 minutes, carrying passengers from Coquina Beach to the Anna Maria Pier. County Government offices will operate with normal business hours. Manatee County-owned golf courses will be open. The G.T. Bray Recreation Center will operate with normal hours Friday and Saturday and will be open from 7:00 a.m. to Noon on Easter Sunday. The G. T. Bray pool will operate on normal hours Friday; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to Noon. Blackstone Skate Park and G.T. Bray Skate Park will be open. Manatee County’s publicly owned natural preserves will also remain open through the holiday weekend. For more information on Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501.