Looking for things to do? Top 5 events in Sarasota, Bradenton this MLK holiday weekend

Florida's fair season kicks off right here, with the Manatee County Fair leading the way among our list of exciting January events happening in the vibrant Sarasota and Bradenton metro area during this Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend.

In addition to savoring a Templeton-worthy smorgasbord at the county fair, you'll also want to consider a visit to the Sarasota Winter Carnival at The Mall at University Town Center, along with the three other events we've highlighted below.

These include a bounce house bash in Sarasota, a Parrothead party for all Jimmy Buffett fans in North Port, and the annual Multicultural Festival in Palmetto.

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1. Manatee County Fair in Palmetto

Featuring the winning combination of thrill rides, live entertainment, lots of livestock and awesomely decadent deep-fried foods, the Manatee County Fair is a local tradition dating back to 1916. Today through Jan. 21; Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto; $10, $6 military with active status ID, $6 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and under (daily admission), $10 parking, with special pricing days and farm armband specials; 941-722-1639; manateecountyfair.com

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2. Sarasota Winter Carnival and Sarasota Winter Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival

Is Palmetto too far a drive for thrill rides? The Sarasota Winter Carnival returns to The Mall at University Town Center (parking lot 4, east side of the mall) today through Monday with single ride tickets for $1.50 and many other options including $35 wristbands for unlimited rides. Meanwhile, the Sarasota Winter Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival takes place in the same UTC parking lot noon-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday and will feature 25 food trucks, a beer sampling experience, music, vendors and more. Parking and entry into the entire festival is free. For more information, visit mallatutc.com/events.

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3. 'World’s Largest Bounce House' at Nathan Benderson Park

Personally, I feel the same way about bounce houses as Reese Witherspoon's character in "Four Christmases." However, for everyone else who relishes these inflatable attractions and has kids who do too, brace yourselves for The Big Bounce America 2024 tour, promising "the bounciest, most action-packed experience of the year," featuring none other than "The World’s Largest Bounce House." If you need me, I'll be in the bar, on the other side of town. Friday-Sunday; Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota; $22-$45; thebigbounceamerica.com

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4. Party on the Plaza at CoolToday Park featuring the Jimmy Buffett tribute Landsharks Band

CoolToday Park, the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves, continues its popular Party on the Plaza series with a special concert for Parrotheads featuring The Landsharks Band. Billed as the premier Jimmy Buffett tribute band, they have performed in concert with Buffett himself and were hired as the house band for Margaritaville in Orlando. 5 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. music Saturday; CoolToday Park, 18800 S. West Villages Parkway, North Port; $15, VIP squares also available; 941-413-5004; cooltodaypark.com

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5. Multicultural Festival in Palmetto

The City of Palmetto will present its annual Multicultural Festival featuring a diverse music lineup including The Soul Crooners, Bajo Zero, Tampa’s The Beatdown Band, and NuJazz. There will also be food vendors, and fun and games in a kids zone. Admission to the festival is free and food and drink will be available for purchase. 2-7 p.m. Saturday; Sutton Park, 1036 6th St. W., Palmetto; 941-723-4988; palmettofl.org

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Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best fun things to do this MLK holiday weekend in Sarasota, Bradenton