A lot of islanders missed seeing Santa last December but the jolly old dude is back for Christmas 2021.
He’s booked for at least seven appearances, including the 19th annual Lester Family Fun Day 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Center of Anna Maria Island.
Chuck and Joey Lester of Holmes Beach sponsor the all-ages celebration that features “old-fashioned fun at old-fashioned prices.”
An announcement from the center promised a lineup of fun activities and performances — all outdoors this year — along with food and prizes and a visit from Santa at noon.
Lester Family Fun Day also will include pony rides, face-painting and rock-wall climbing.
Also, the Manatee High School Drum Line will perform.
Adults can enter a 50/50 raffle — a golf ball drop from a helicopter hovering over the sports field.
As of Nov. 17, the fun day menu was not released.
The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
For more information, call the center at 941-778-1908.
Santa also is set to make appearances at events in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and on Longboat Key that marry the “shop local” campaign with holiday merrymaking, including:
- “Light Up Longboat” holiday lights celebration on Longboat Key at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27. The evening includes selfies with Santa, holiday music, raffles, concessions and a tree-lighting.
- “Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting” in Holmes Beach’s city center 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3. The evening includes extended shopping hours in “downtown” Holmes Beach, holiday music, refreshments and the lighting of the Christmas tree outside the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, 5313 Gulf Drive.
- Christmas on Bridge Street and the annual Lighted Boat Parade in Bradenton Beach 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. The evening includes children’s activities, holiday crafting, visits with Santa, performances by the Dickens Carolers and Mike Sales, extended shopping hours, a boat parade, the Anna Maria Island Privateers holiday party at the Drift In and more.
- “Holiday Walk of Treasures/Santa Stops Here” in Anna Maria 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10. The evening includes extended shopping hours at businesses on Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive, as well as holiday carols in City Pier Park, 103 N Bay Blvd., and festivities at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society museum, 402 Pine Ave.
Also, look for Santa in the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ traditional Christmas Parade, which will begin at about 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, traveling north from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to City Pier Park in Anna Maria.
After the parade, the Privateers will host a party in the park with Santa visits and gifts for kids and pirates serving hot dogs and beverages.
At least one more appearance by the big man is planned — at Christmas in Cortez, which will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. The celebration at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, will include carnival games, crafts and photos with Santa.
Government offices close for holiday
Most government offices — including Manatee County’s and the island city halls — will be closed Nov. 25-26 for Thanksgiving.
The island trolley will operate its normal hours but other Manatee County Area Transit services, including fixed routes and the Handy Bus, will not operate Nov. 25.
County public libraries also will be closed for the holiday and through the long weekend. The Island Library will be closed Nov. 25-29.
Preserves and parks will remain open.
The Islander office will be closed Nov. 25 for the holiday.