Skip to main content

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Anna Maria

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

🌱 How intense did Memorial Day crowds get in Anna Maria this year?

Anna Maria, Florida Patch AM: a 4 min read

Good morning to you Anna Maria! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How intense did Memorial Day crowds get in Anna Maria this year?
  • Could your usual Second Avenue shortcut soon be barricaded off?
  • Could free beach parking on Anna Maria Island soon be history?

Also on today's calendar: Free Art Exhibit - Dinner, Drinks & Auction Open to Public and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Humid with a stray t-shower, with a high of 84 and low of 74 degrees.
  • Thursday: A couple of soaking showers, temps: high: 86, low: 74. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: A couple of morning showers, with a high of 86 and low of 75 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Summer arrives on AMI, bringing beach crowds to Gulf shore (islander.org) — Memorial Day weekend brought heavy crowds, traffic jams, and packed parking to Anna Maria Island beaches, including serious medical emergencies near the Sandbar Restaurant and Bayfront Park in Anna Maria. Local officials report dozens of medical calls, water rescues, and parking disputes, while traffic counts into Holmes Beach surged and a crash near Kingfish Boat Ramp added to congestion as the Gulf Islands Ferry saw strong ridership.
   

2. Second Avenue alternative to Gulf Drive might be eliminated (amisun.com) — Holmes Beach is weighing changes that could block southbound cut-through traffic on Second and Fifth avenues, a move that would affect many Anna Maria residents who use those streets daily. Commissioners will take public comment June 9 on temporary barricades and other options, balancing neighborhood quality of life with island-wide congestion and access to Gulf Drive near Anna Maria Elementary School.
   

3. Manatee County studying paid parking for Anna Maria Island beaches (mysuncoast.com) — Manatee County is exploring whether to introduce paid parking on Anna Maria Island beaches, which could eventually affect how locals and visitors access the shoreline. Island mayors acknowledge congestion and funding pressures, while tourism officials quietly research options like other cities’ systems, though no formal proposal has been made and Anna Maria’s city government has not yet commented.
   

4. Nesting notes: Double the delight (islander.org) — Sea turtle nesting on Anna Maria Island has doubled compared to last week, with 80 nests already recorded and more activity expected. Local turtle-watch leaders are urging residents to cut beach-facing lights, clear furniture, and fill sand holes, while also giving nesting shorebirds in Bradenton Beach plenty of space as hatching season nears.
   

📸 Around Anna Maria

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Anna Maria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Anna Maria Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Anna Maria PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Circle K Stores, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Representative, Full or Part Time in Bradenton Beach. Apply here.
  • Checkers & Rally's - Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Palmetto. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anna Maria here.

Ok Anna Maria! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Support These Local Businesses

+ List My Business

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Anna Maria

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Anna Maria

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.