Nothing is spinning anywhere near Florida, per the Hurricane Center.

This is the last pumpkin weekend before Halloween week, and the festivals wrap up Sunday.

Early voting is open all weekend, 8:30 to 6, and one of the sites is the fire station on Rye Road.

We found you a beach where nobody fights over a parking spot.

No Gulf traffic, no beach parking meters, about 30 minutes from 301.

Leave the house by 8:30.

Start (on 301 in Parrish): First Watch, 8990 US-301 N, #123.

Open 7 to 2:30, and you can get in line online before you leave the driveway.

The Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast is on the seasonal menu right now, per their site.

(941) 842-1099.

Grab lunch on the way out: Publix at Parkwood Square, 9005 US-301 N, same stretch of 301.

Pick up Pub Subs and a bag of ice for the cooler.

Order ahead so you are not standing at the deli counter in flip-flops.

The Activity (about 30 min, down 675 to SR 64 east): Lake Manatee State Park, 20007 SR 64 E, Bradenton.

$5 a car, open 8 a.m. to sunset.

There is a swimming beach on the lake, and no lifeguards, so somebody on the blanket is on kid duty.

Restrooms with showers are right by the beach.

There is a playground, too.

The picnic area sits under big oaks next to the water, which is your shade.

The beach itself has none the park bothers to mention, so bring the umbrella.

The one pavilion is first-come unless somebody reserved it, and on a nice Saturday somebody did.

Our take: skip the pavilion hunt and put a blanket under the oaks.

No kayak rentals out here, so if you want to paddle, bring your own and use the launch.

The fishing docks are the move for kids who get bored of sand in about 40 minutes.

Park office: 941-741-3028.

Lunch (at the lake): Pub Subs under the oaks.

That is the whole plan, and it is a good one.

Treat (about 35 min back, up I-75 to Moccasin Wallow): American Honey Creamery, 5015 Moccasin Wallow Rd, Palmetto.

Open till 10 on Saturday, so nobody has to rush off the beach.

Coffee Oreo for you, Cotton Candy for the kid who is going to be loud in the back seat anyway.

941-981-3830.

Pancakes by 9, toes in a lake by 10:30, ice cream on the way home.

Never once looked for beach parking.

Friday is quiet this week outside the stadium, and the Bulls game is down in The Sideline.

Hunsader Farms, 5500 CR 675, Bradenton, about 20 minutes straight down 675.

The farm page lists no cancellations for this weekend, after the first weekend got scrapped.

Admission is $15 for ages 10 and up, $5 for 5 to 9, and free under 5, per Discover Bradenton.

Parking is $5, cash only.

Our take: put the five in the cupholder before you leave, because that lot is not where you want to be asking strangers for change.

Dogs Inc opens its new center at 5815 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, about 30 minutes.

Guide and service dog demos, local puppy raisers, and a look around the building.

It is listed as a community open house, no registration.

This is the one your kid will still be talking about at dinner.

The Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch sets up every Sunday at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Dr, about 30 minutes.

Over 100 local vendors, year-round.

Go early for the best pick of the tables, go at 1 if you just want the walk.

Forward Community Church of God, 209 7th St W, Palmetto, about 15 minutes.

Costumes, decorated trunks, and the patch stays open for pictures and pumpkin picking, per Discover Bradenton.

It is a dress rehearsal for next Saturday, and the costume will fit better after one test run.

Parrish Community High hosts the Manatee Hurricanes at the PCHS stadium, 7505 Fort Hamer Rd, in town.

General admission is $8, digital only, on GoFan.

Buy it in the driveway, not in the line at the gate.

After this the Bulls finish the regular season on the road, per the MaxPreps schedule.

If you have been meaning to get to one Friday night this fall, this is it.

The school does not post parking, so plan on walking a bit.

i9 Sports winter 2027 is $198 if you register by Sunday, Nov 1, per their page Wednesday, jersey included.

Co-ed soccer for PreK3 through 5th grade, and girls volleyball for grades 3 to 12.

Seven Saturdays, Jan 9 to Feb 20, at Tom Bennett Park, 280 Kay Rd, Bradenton, about 20 minutes.

No tryouts, no draft, every kid plays.

The page does not say what it costs after Nov 1, and we would not wait to find out.

Buffalo Creek Little League still has not posted spring 2027, and fall filled with a waitlist.

If that is your plan, call (830) 556-1805 now, and keep i9 as the backup that has room.

Hickory Hollow, 4705 US-301, Ellenton, about 15 minutes south.

Open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 to 8.

Closed Sunday, so this is a Friday-night or Saturday-dinner call.

Our take: the small Carolina pulled pork plate, $12.95 on their ordering page, with collards.

Then the mango pie, $6.

When was the last time you saw mango pie on a menu?

Kids' plates are $6.50, and one of them is five mini corn dogs, which settles that.

(941) 722-3932.

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Keep a five in the glovebox this weekend, because the Hunsader lot only takes cash.

Until next week — stay gritty, stay healthy, and keep Parrish strong. — Greg.