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BAM!Fest Returns to the Bradenton Riverwalk: A Free Celebration of Local Art and Music Set for March 28
Bradenton Magazine
Bradenton Magazine

BAM!Fest Returns to the Bradenton Riverwalk: A Free Celebration of Local Art and Music Set for March 28

Realize Bradenton is proud to announce the return of BAM!Fest (Bradenton Art & Music Festival) for its second year. This free, all-ages community celebration will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. along the scenic Bradenton Riverwalk.

BAM!Fest is a dynamic community celebration designed to showcase the immense creative talent in the Bradenton area. By highlighting local visual and performing artists, the festival celebrates the diverse and vibrant arts scene that defines Bradenton’s creative economy.

“This event highlights the power of arts-driven placemaking,” said Karen Corbin of Realize Bradenton. “It brings the community together in one of our city’s most iconic public spaces to celebrate student talent and professional artistry alike”.

Festival Highlights Include:

  • Live Music: Performances across multiple stages featuring a wide variety of genres. The lineup includes The Divebombers, School of Rock House Band, St. Pete Mountain Boys, Luna and the Warriors, Champs Jaxon Band, Sycamore Shade, and Luke Andrews Music.
  • New Feature! Eco Park at the Great Lawn will celebrate the importance of the Manatee River. The Marine Exploration Center touch tank and Oyster River Ecology will be present to make oyster pots that will be released into the Manatee River.
  • Live Visual Art: Large-scale art will be created live by featured artists including Cory Wright, Corine Finnie, Luke Vest, Truman Adams, and others.
  • Chalk Art: Special live demonstrations by chalk artists Hilary Frambes and Laura Thomas.
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Free activities for children including face painting, art projects, and performances by the Circus Arts Conservatory, featuring stilt walkers, extreme hula hoopers, bubble arts, and jugglers.
  • Interactive Experiences: Pop-up performances along the Riverwalk including jugglers, extreme hula hoopers, Tinkerbell, stilt walkers,  student showcases, and interactive art projects for attendees of all ages.
  • The Atomic Bazaar and Local Flavors: The locally popular Atomic Bazaar vendors will be available for a special spring popup market, and there will be a selection of delicious offerings from various local food vendors.
  • Bat City Comics at Discovery Lane: Young artists and comic fans are invited to explore the exciting world of superheroes and storytelling with local comic creators and Bradenton’s own Bat City Comic professionals. Kids can create their own comics, enjoy cosplay, and meet some of their favorite superheroes in this fun, hands-on celebration of comic art.

Admission to BAM!Fest is free to the public. Attendees are encouraged to check http://www.RealizeBradenton.com or follow Realize Bradenton on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RealizeBradenton) for the latest schedule and festival updates.

About Realize Bradenton

Realize Bradenton is a nonprofit organization that brings people together to create a vibrant and prosperous Bradenton area. For more information about BAM!Fest and other upcoming events, visit RealizeBradenton.com.

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