Christmas is celebrated on Bridge Street

Looking much like a Victorian Charles Dickens’ village of yore, Bridge Street merchants and the city of Bradenton Beach showed their resilience Dec. 6, paving Bridge Street with smiles and cheer and the spirit of the season for friends, community members and visitors in the wake of a herculean recover effort after two hurricanes caused widespread destruction on Anna Maria Island. The Christmas tree is standing tall at the U.S. Postal Service parking lot, right. See inside for Anna Maria and Holmes Beach plans for the holidays. Islander Photo: Jacob Merrifield

Santa Claus visits Dec. 7 with the White family, Dad and fishing guide Capt. David and daughters Layla, 8, Cameron, 6, and Elizabeth or “Lizzy,” almost 3, at the Lester Family Fun Day event at the Center of Anna Maria Island. You can be sure Santa got long wish lists from the girls and all the kids at the partry, who also enjoyed bounce houses, slides, pony rides, games, entertainment, including the Grinch! and fun activities, thanks to the generosity of Joey Lester. Islander Courtesy Photo.

Maya Suzor, 15, performs an Arabesque, a classical ballet pose, in a Dec. 8 performance of the Nutcracker Tea Party with the Dance Theatre of Bradenton at the Center of Anna Maria Island. The dance troupe invited young girls to come meet the ballerinas and get a taste of their efforts. Maya, performed with her sister, Siena, 12. They are the daughters of Jason and Leah Suzor, owners of The Waterfront Restaurant in Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Dad