SAVE THE DATE—Bradenton Area River Regatta Returns for 11th Year

The Bradenton Area River Regatta, Manatee County’s largest and FREE spectator event, returns to the shorelines of Bradenton and Palmetto for its 11^th year, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20 and 21, featuring for the first time the most-powerful class of boat racing…Formula One.

These powerboats will headline the Florida Formula One Championship and join two other classes of racing at the event—F-2 and Tri-Hulls (the latter also appearing for the first time)—to provide the most dramatic racing experience ever for spectators at the festival. The Florida Formula One Championship also marks opening day for the 2026 F1 circuit, run by the first family of powerboating, Seebold Racing. The circuit is sanctioned by the American Powerboat Association (APBA), one of the oldest sanctioning bodies in the United States.

Continuing its two-day format, the all-FREE Regatta kicks off February 20, with Friday Night Flash—a spectacular drone light show that culminates with fireworks pageantry. Multiple bands will provide musical entertainment from 5-9 p.m. at the Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion Stage.

Saturday’s activities begin at 10 a.m. and include the Regatta’s marque water event—powerboat racing—plus a variety of signature musical acts and family-fun entertainment. The day concludes with a FREE racing awards ceremony at the new Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, beginning at 6 p.m., where the winning drivers will be announced and followed by a concert featuring Florida’s only national Beach Boys tribute band, Beach Buoys.

“The City of Bradenton and our partners ─ the City of Palmetto and Manatee County ─ are so proud to announce the return of the Bradenton Area River Regatta for an 11^th year,” said Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown. “The Regatta has been such an economic generator and tourist attraction for the last 10 years. We are extremely excited to have it return and are expecting another fantastic opening-night celebration Friday and day-full of events Saturday, especially with the bigger, faster and more powerful F-1 boats coming for the first time.”

            Updates will be available soon at: bradentonarearegatta.com. Photos and video clips are available on the “Press” tab on the above website to use as needed.  Follow all the fun and activities on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/RiverwalkRegatta.