At first glance, the Bradenton Marauders don’t appear to be a must watch team. With a record of just 25-32, they are not at the top of their division, much less the Florida State League. So why should anybody care about a middling Minor League team?

Well, there are a few reasons. The first of which is that a night out at LECOM Park is truly a treat, one of the rare affordable, family friendly sporting events left in the country. According to SeatGeek, the average cost of a single ticket to a Major League Baseball game is $53. That doesn’t include the inordinate amount of money spent on concessions, such as the $20 beers or $15 bottles of water that can be found at most MLB parks around the country. The highest cost of an individual ticket to a Marauders’ game? $13. For just a fraction of the price of attending an MLB game, fans can sit directly behind home plate in LECOM Park. In true Minor League fashion the Marauders front office staff, spearheaded by General Manager Craig Warzecha, are dedicated to making a night at the ballpark a spectacle. From themed jersey nights to constant promotional giveaways, catching a game at LECOM Park is about more than just the on-field action–it’s about enjoying a festive and quintessentially American atmosphere.

However, despite their somewhat mundane record, there is still plenty of reason to follow the on-field action of the Marauders as well. At Single-A, Bradenton is the first real stepping stone of the Minor Leagues. It’s where players advance after progressing through the initial ranks of professional baseball, be it the Dominican Summer League or the Florida Complex League. If players perform well enough in Bradenton to earn a promotion to High-A, then they have a legitimate shot at cracking the big league roster one day. The Marauders are home to many such prospects–seven in fact, of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Top 30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline currently play for the Marauders. To attend a Marauders game is to get a glimpse of the future of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

LECOM Park, 1611 9th St W, Bradenton.

Pictured: A Marauders player in recognition of Hispanic Heritage wears a special uniform to celebrate. Photo courtesy of the Bradenton Marauders.

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Marcus Walfridson, an entrepreneur and former semi-pro soccer player, recognized the need for a professional soccer team in the Sarasota area after emigrating to the United States from Norway in 2018.

After years of coaching various teams throughout Europe, including a professional women’s soccer team in Sweden, Walfridson decided to move permanently to the United States to create his own soccer club. Walfridson’s career playing soccer for his home country was previously cut short by a sports injury at which point he transferred his passion for soccer into coaching.

While his initial plans to launch a professional soccer team in 2019 were put on hold by the pandemic, Sarasota Paradise finally got the greenlight to embark on its first season this past year in 2023. Now having been named New Organization of the Year by the USL League Two, this up-and-coming soccer club has just wrapped up its first season and is getting ready to kick off a new one.

Sarasota Paradise is owned and operated by Audigr Group Inc., a global sports and entertainment enterprise created by Marcus Walfridson and Kenneth Bethune. Walfridson shares that the mission of the club is to foster a culture of unity, excellence, and innovation, uniting fans, players, and the community under the banner of soccer, while driving forward to become a model club in terms of performance, community support, and financial sustainability.

“Just seeing the passion of the crowd when they were yelling at the ref to blow the whistle and seeing how much they cared,” says Walfridson reminiscing about Sarasota Paradise’s first official home opening game against Miami City FC. “We had over 700 people there. That was personally my highlight by far.” After four years of hard work and dedication, Walfridson is living his American dream of creating a soccer club right here in the paradise of Sarasota.

Charlie Cleland Stadium at Ihrig Field, 1000 S School Ave, Sarasota.  

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The Atlanta Braves are proud to announce the installation of the stunning sculpture "Diamond of the Sea" at its permanent home, CoolToday Park, the Spring Training Home of the Atlanta Braves. Crafted by the esteemed artist David K. Griffin, this breathtaking piece celebrates the harmony between art and sport, enriching the ballpark experience for fans and visitors alike. David K. Griffin, a dynamic creator, entrepreneur, and community leader, is renowned for his artistic prowess and commitment to charitable causes. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to the world of design, branding, and advertising. During his residency in Venice, Florida, David gained acclaim at the Venice Art Center, showcasing his diverse talents in oil, watercolor, and mixed media paintings. At the heart of his portfolio lies "Diamond of the Sea," the Atlanta Braves Mermaid sculpture, which dazzles with its intricacy and beauty. This masterpiece stands as a testament to Griffin's dedication to the arts and his passion for supporting local communities. The Atlanta Braves are glad to be able to support the arts by donating to the Venice Art Center to bring "Diamond of the Sea" home to CoolToday Park. This extraordinary sculpture not only enhances the ballpark experience but also serves as a lasting tribute to charitable endeavors and the artistic legacy it represents. “Diamond of the Sea” can be viewed in full glory on the CoolToday Park Plaza.  

Kick off the summer with live music every Saturday night in June! Get out your dancing shoes and enjoy amazing live music on the outside stage of The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime. June 15th with Al Fuller & The Moonlight Movers, June 22 with Suzanne Lucas and her Hot Bozs and June 29th with No Bad Days, a 60s cover band. There is no cover charge. Music plays from 5:30-8:30 with dinner and drinks available at Hamlet’s Eatery. A large tent has been added to keep you in the shade with fans. There is seating under a covered patio (with more fans). Don’t let the summer heat keep you from having fun! AL FULLER & THE MOONLIGHT MOVERS - Al Fuller is no stranger to the Sarasota music scene. He has been singing, playing, and composing music for most of his life. His music ranges from original songs, rock and roll to blues. His band, the Moonlight Movers include Barry Sikes on bass guitar, and Rich MacDonald on drums.  Get ready for some dancing to songs like The Thrill is Gone, T-Bone Shuffle, Paint My Mailbox Blue, Black Magic Woman, and other blues and rock classics. SUZANNE LUCAS & THE HOT BOZS-Talented vocalist Suzanne Lucas will captivate you with her jazzy sound and unparalleled ability to craft each song into a unique masterpieces. She elevates her performances with her “Hot Boyz” adding a full sounding band to her repertoire. From jazz to blues, they do it all.  Expect to hear such songs as You Don’t Know What Love Is and Come Rain or Shine.  NO BAD DAYS - No Bad Days is a 5-piece band who entertains their audiences with the exciting music of the 1960's, performing music by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Animals, The Kinks, and much more. The members come from all parts of the U.S. and have been playing their instruments for 50-60 years. Their entertaining and exciting "Frontman Dave" (who has performed nationally and internationally) engages the audience and keeps them moving and up on their feet. Located at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. For more information visit www.HamletsEatery.com  

Fireworks, food and family-friendly fun are in store at the annual NBP Fireworks on the Lake Driven By Lamborghini Sarasota, returning to Nathan Benderson Park on July 3. This will be Lamborghini’s second year as the presenting sponsor. This year’s patriotic party will include live entertainment by Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio; theMote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Kid Zone; food and refreshments for purchase; local vendors; and a 15-minute fireworks show that will light up the sky around 9:00 p.m. above Nathan Benderson Park Lake. Those who prefer to watch the show from home can tune in to WWSB ABC 7 on Thursday, July 4 for a recorded Independence Day special starting at 9 p.m. Guests will enjoy live music by the popular regional band Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio from 5:30 to 9:00p.m. on the main stage on Regatta Island. The band has headlined numerous music fests and is regarded as one of the hottest live acts in Southwest Florida. All evening long, families can stop by the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Kid Zone, complete with kid-friendly inflatables, face painters, crafts and more. Families can capture their memories throughout the park at different photo wall art stations, masterfully created and sponsored by Oh What Fun! Party Co. Additional sponsors include WWSB ABC7, Oak & Stone, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Observer Media Group, Visit Sarasota, Bradenton Anna Maria Island and Long Boat Key Visitor’s Bureau, Detwiler’s, Hamilton’s Concessions and iHeart Radio. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the fireworks show will begin just after 9 p.m. The event is free with paid parking. Tickets for parking are $35 per car on Regatta Island, $25 per car in the park’s south lot, and $55 for recreational vehicles. Limited tickets are also available for a VIP viewing experience at the Finish Tower for $100 per person. It includes complimentary food and beverages, open bar with beer & wine, premium parking, exclusive access to the air-conditioned Finish Tower, with indoor and outdoor prime viewing spaces and patriotic one-of-a-kind decor. VIP ticket pricing increases after June 20th. Tickets for all areas are on sale now at www.fireworksonthelake.com 

Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) today begins service from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) to Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) in New York. To celebrate, the company is offering one-way fares on the new routes as low as $52.* “Following great travel demand, we are thrilled to expand our service at SRQ and offer affordable travel options to visit Plattsburgh, New York,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s chief revenue officer. “This route connects travelers to the people and places that matter most to them and we expect customers will enjoy our unique brand of travel: all nonstop flights without the hassle of layovers or connections.” The new flights will operate twice weekly. Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found only at Allegiant.com. 

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