Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

G.T. Bray Santa

If you have never visited Anna Maria Island around Christmas you need to give it a try, Why?

There are a ton of Christmas activities all around the area. Santa comes in on a helicopter at G.T. Bray Park. Downtown Bradenton brings in snow to go sledding. Holmes Beach plaza on Marina Drive has a Christmas bash where shops serve free appetizers and the children of Anna Maria Island dance under a snow machine.

Not enough? Vacation rental accommodations in early December are more than 50% off compared to high season rates. The weather is sunny and beautiful. The only white we have is the sand on our gorgeous beaches. While I write this the entire East coast is in a blizzard that will average one foot of snow fall!

Lastly, who does not like a good parade? Every year the Anna Maria Island privateers put on a Christmas parade. Beads, candy and party favors are all thrown during the parade. It is fabulous fun for all!

So what are you doing? Call Island Real Estate today and book next year’s holiday season. Island Real Estate has more than 175 hand picked rentals with more than 25 high luxury vacation rentals. More than anyone on Anna Maria Island!

Have a great winter and a wonderful holiday season! Thanks to Michael for the great video below.

If you are on or near Anna Maria Island December 12th, 2009 you should come out to Gulf Drive and enjoy the Christmas Privateer parade. Everyone has a blast and more importantly there is lots of candy! Usually as much candy as your child can eat since there are lots of business floats throwing candy.

The parade begins at the Anna Maria City Bay Front park and ends at Coquina park in Bradenton Beach, Fl. The parade travels East on Pine Avenue, South on Gulf Drive, on to Marina Drive/Palm Drive to Gulf Drive, then a quick trip along East Bay Drive on to Gulf Drive where it finally ends in Bradenton Beach. The parade travels almost the entire length of Anna Maria Island.

If you are traveling from Tampa, Sarasota or Bradenton I would suggest parking at Coquina or the Manatee public beaches. These are easy access points and easier to get off the island just after the parade. It takes Anna Maria Island about 1 hour to get traffic back to normal.

If you are planning to spend a few more hours on Anna Maria Island then stop in at Island Real Estate where we have plenty of free maps as well as Anna Maria Island Real Estate for sale packets. They understand if you are not in the immediate market and just looking. Make sure you visit one of Anna Maria Island’s great restaurants and get a bite to eat for lunch or maybe even an early dinner.

Details of the Anna Maria Island Parade… Starts at 10 AM finished around 11:15 AM and it’s on December 12th, 2009. See a few photos below for past Christmas Parades.

Pravateer's Christmas

Privateer Ship during the Christmas Parade

Island Real Estate

Island real Estate in the Christmas Parade