Lakewood Ranch is a planned community located just west of University Parkway in the southeast corner of Manatee County. Located close to I-75, Lakewood Ranch offers you an eclectic mix of homes, a small-town feel, boutiques, restaurants, lots of things to do, and proximity to the amenities of both Sarasota and Bradenton. One of the community events that take place each month is called Music on Main, a monthly concert held on the first Friday of each month.
The concerts themselves are free, but the charities benefit from the food, wine and beer sold during the performances. Performances are held from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. You can bring a chair and even your dog (kept on a short leash), but concert-goers are asked not to bring in coolers. You can park on Main Street, but if you can’t find a spot, you can also park in the overflow lot at the hospital.
Here is a list of upcoming concerts:
- Friday, September 5. This night, Renegade will play. They are a rock band featuring songs from the 70s and 80s. Proceeds will benefit the Manasota Buds, an all-volunteer organization that advocates for and and supports those affected by Down Syndrome.
- Friday, October 3. Goodbye Eddie will be entertaining you this first Friday in October with their sounds of classic rock. The charitable organization that will benefit is Care 2 Tri. This agency helps those with various disabilities, most often assisting them in completing triathlons.
- Friday, November 7. Do you remember the rock and roll of times gone by? If so, you won’t want to miss seeing Ocean Road in November! Proceeds will benefit Manatee’s Children’s Services, which helps to break the cycle of child abuse by educating and supporting parents, as well as by providing shelter and services to children who have been abused.
- Friday, December 5. A great way to start the holiday season is to check out the upbeat contemporary group, Distractions. If you buy food and drink, you’ll be helping those less fortunate who utilize the services of the Food Bank of Manatee.
While you’re on Main Street, whether it’s Friday or any other day or evening of the year, you’ll find plenty of other things to do, too. Shop for jewelry or the latest fashions, or enjoy a bite at one of the gourmet restaurants along the main strip. You can also go to the Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, where you can take your pick from the blockbusters or one of the small independent films that are shown here.
If you have been considering a townhouse, condo or luxurious single-family home in a beautiful area that has a true community of neighbors, then Lakewood Ranch might be the place for you to call home. Give me a call to schedule a showing of available properties; I can answer any questions that you may have about the community, and I’d be happy to help you find and purchase your own slice of southwest Florida paradise!