The Bradenton City Council on Jan. 22 issued a proclamation declaring 2025 the Village of the Arts 25th anniversary celebration year and welcomed representatives from the Village to the dais.

The proclamation, read on behalf of the mayor, traced the neighborhood’s origin to a 1999 nonprofit, noted the Village’s 2001 grand opening with eight businesses and stated that the Village now hosts about 40 businesses and regular events including monthly art walks, community trick-or-treating, the Festival of Skeletons and a cigar-box festival.

Annie (identified in the meeting as a Village representative) thanked the council and singled out Councilwoman Barnaby for long-standing support. Dawn Collins, who identified herself as a business owner in the Village of the Arts, thanked city staff for the post-hurricane cleanup that helped businesses reopen quickly.

During citizen comment the council also received a presentation from PACE Center for Girls’ duck-fundraiser organizers, who said the group is moving the event to the Bradenton Riverwalk (in front of the day dock) after storm-related impacts at their former site. The organizer said the city’s sponsorship and near-term support made the move possible; councilors acknowledged the city’s prior budget support and encouraged residents to buy ducks and support the fundraiser.

Councilors used the occasion to note downtown and Riverwalk initiatives and to reiterate longer-term goals of connecting City Park, Village of the Arts, Main Street and Riverwalk as part of downtown revitalization. Public Works and other staff were thanked for storm cleanup that helped businesses reopen.

Ending: The council posed for photos with Village representatives and the PACE duck mascot; the proclamation and the citizen presentation were presented as ceremonial items and informational updates with no separate council votes recorded.