On Anna Maria Island, having a great place to fish is a good reason to throw a party.
Old friends joined together and new friendships were made Feb. 27 as Bradenton Beach officially dedicated the Historic Bridge Street Pier, after major renovation of the structure concluded recently.
Mayor Bill Shearon welcomed the crowd “to our brand new pier” on behalf of the city commission and the pier team.
As he has before, Shearon lauded the city’s partnership with Manatee County and the Tourist Development Commission. Half of the pier’s approximately $1.4 million price tag is being paid by the city, half by the county. The project was completed on time and under budget, the mayor said.
“It’s amazing,” said County Commissioner John Chappie and former Bradenton Beach mayor. “It’s a great partnership. More TDC dollars coming back out to the island.”
The Anna Maria Island Privateers, a boisterous, community-minded group, “invaded” the dedication, claiming the pier and the libations for the crew.
“Lock them all up,” Privateer Bob “Stitch” Dominas joked. “It’s our pier now.”
But the mayor refused to surrender, and welcomed the Privateers to share in the bounty — sparkling wine donated by The Islander newspaper for a toast and served by the Privateers and an array of food and refreshments from various Bridge Street restaurants served on the restaurant deck.
County Commissioner Carol Whitmore of Holmes Beach, said she lived on Bridge Street when she was 14 and the pier reminds her of her childhood.
She visited the pier and fished with friends, “because there was nothing else to do,” she recalled.
Ed and Janet Kendrick of the Rochester, New York, area, own a condo in Bradenton Beach and visit about three times a year. This time they’ll stay through the winter. The temperature in Rochester was 2 degrees a few hours after the dedication.
Like many on the pier for the celebration, the Kendricks had a story to tell. One day in June 2012 they were on a deserted beach in the city, celebrating their just-purchased condo, their faces and “north ears” pummeled by the steady 40-mph winds of Tropical Storm Debby.
Meanwhile, a short distance away, the pier and floating dock were damaged by high surf and boats torn from their anchors. Now they celebrate the pier’s rebirth.
After a month-long vacation in Bradenton Beach, Kathleen Coleman was enjoying the dedication from a swing on the pier, before driving home Feb. 28 to Scranton, Pennsylvania. Nearby, a pelican had its eye on her — perhaps hoping she would share a seat on the swing.
Mike Roybal and Ashley Marshall, of Bradenton, were fishing on the pier as the festivities began. It was Roybal’s day off from managing a restaurant in Bradenton and his second time on the pier. They moved here recently from New Mexico.
“I like being by the water,” he said. “It’s a nice place.”
Go to islander.org for more photos.
From left: Sue Goleb, Joan Dieter, Stan Goleb and Don Dieter take part in the Feb. 27 dedication of the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach Islander Photo: Ed Scott
Mike Roybal, foreground, and Ashley Marshall of Bradenton fish Feb. 27 at the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Islander Photo: Ed Scott
Kathleen Coleman of Scranton, Pennsylvania, is seated in a new swing Feb. 27 at the dedication of the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Islander Photo: Ed Scott
Tourists and others were captivated Feb. 27 by the AMI Privateers’ invasion at the Historic Bridge Street Pier. The group came to celebrate the dedication of the new pier with a bounty of sparkling wine provided by The Islander newspaper. Islander Photo: Ed Scott
From left, Reni Wendt, Jo Klemm and Renate Harrelson visit the Historic Bridge Street Pier Feb. 27. Islander Photo: Ed Scott
Bradenton Beach Commissioner Janie Robertson, left, and Tjet Martin listen to Mayor Bill Shearon speak Feb. 27 at the dedication of the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Islander Photo: Ed Scott
A pelican watches activities Feb. 27 at the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: Ed Scott
Bob Bauer, left, Cathy Bauer, Ed Kendrick and Janet Kendrick take part in the Feb. 27 dedication of the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Islander Photo: Ed Scott
County Commissioner Carol Whitmore preserves another memory Feb. 27 at the dedication of the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Islander Photo: Ed Scott
Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon uses a bullhorn to address the crowd Feb. 27 at the dedication of the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Commissioner Jan Vosburgh looks on. Islander Photo: Ed Scott
The Anna Maria Island Privateers’ invasion Feb. 27 at the dedication of the Historic Bridge Street Pier was led by Bob “Stitch” Dominas, the organization’s president. Islander Photo: Ed Scott