Manatee Tour of Lights Set for This Weekend

Tampa Bay area residents who want to take in the holiday lights of west Bradenton are invited to take part in the Ted Nowosad Christmas Tour of Lights this Friday and Saturday.

The annual free bus tour has been a Bradenton tradition ever since Nowosad asked Manatee County to kick off the tour in 2002. The holiday tradition was named in the late Nowosad’s honor earlier this year.

This year’s tour is set for Friday and Saturday nights with riders meeting at Building 29 of State College of Florida, 5840 26th St. W. Riders don’t have to pay a fare to partake in the Manatee County Area Transit event, but they are asked to bring a nonperishable food item or unwrapped toy for admission. Food donations will go to local social service networks while toys benefit the Toys for Tots program.

About 2,000 people take advantage of the light tour each year. Seating is limited, however, and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Passengers are asked to arrive at the college by 6:30 p.m. with a departure time of 6:45 set. The tour takes about 90 minutes.

For more information on the tour, call 941-747-8621.

Patch File Photo

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