BRADENTON, Fla. — The annual Bradenton Area River Regatta is Manatee County's biggest event of the year, typically bringing in tens of thousands of spectators. People from Bradenton, Palmetto and beyond all set their sights on the banks of the Manatee River for powerboat races, live entertainment, food and more.

What You Need To Know

  • The 8th annual Bradenton Area River Regatta happened Saturday along the banks of the Manatee River

  • Organizers estimate more than 100,000 people come out for the event and contribute up to $10 million to the local economy

  • Local leaders say the event is crucial to support the growth of the region and local businesses

Nancy Gilbert comes to the regatta every year from Sarasota. She gets there two hours before the first race kicks off to make sure she has a prime seat to catch all the action.

“I really like to come out and see something on the water," she said. "You know, Florida’s known for sports and stuff but not everything is free. And this is great because us seniors can come and sit and enjoy. You can’t beat it.”

Organizers estimate more than 100,000 people line up their chairs alongside Nancy's each year to join the festivities.

It's welcome news for local businesses and vendors a few blocks up the street from the river. Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said the regatta crowds normally contribute up to $10 million to the local economy.

Daphne and Hillman Reed draw spectators in with a distinct scent. 

“People come up and tell us ‘we can smell it, we smelled the kettle corn cooking,'" Daphne Reed said.

This is the Reed's first time serving during the regatta. They come to the Bradenton market every weekend to sell their bags of kettle corn. But Saturday's crowd is more than 10 times larger than what they're used to and said it's a critical day for business.

“So far, so good," Hillman Reed, who pops the popcorn, said. "The product’s been selling itself and I must say, everybody seems to like it.”

It takes the entire year to plan for an event the size of the Bradenton Area River Regatta. Mayor Gene Brown said it's always exciting to welcome people in from around the region and the event helps support the area's growth.

“I can see it growing," Brown said. "We’re in the eighth annual and when you can do a thing for eight years and sustain it and grow it, it’s very important. But I’d like to see us get to the 10th, the 15th, the 20th, just keep it going.”

With kids zones, food trucks, live entertainment and more, Brown said it's important to have a free community event like the regatta to bring people of all ages together. This year, event organizers brought in a drone-powered light show instead of traditional fireworks, which they anticipated could draw even more people in.