First week of school is in the books.

Everybody survived the car line — barely, from the look of it.

Your reward is a weekend with a real plan in it, including a free festival right here in town on Sunday.

This one is for the kid who climbs the furniture.

Start: breakfast at First Watch, 8990 US-301 N in Creekside Commons, about 3 minutes from the light at Erie Rd.

Yes, it's a chain — but it seats 166, which means a family of five gets a Saturday table without a 40-minute wait.

Then: Robinson Preserve in northwest Bradenton, about 35 minutes.

Free entry, free parking, open sunrise to sunset.

The local move: skip the main entrance and park at the NEST, the south entrance at 9th Ave NW and 99th St NW — that's where the treetop playground is, rope bridges and climbing nets and slides.

August truth: shade is scarce out there, so be climbing by 9 and out by 11:30, one full water bottle per kid.

Lunch: Anna Maria Oyster Bar, 1525 51st Ave E in Ellenton, on the drive home — doors open at 11, real kids menu, booths big enough for sandy children.

Treat: back in Creekside Commons, let them argue over smoothie flavors at 3 Natives.

Get in the car, kids. Dad has a plan.

Parrish Park Summerfest runs Sunday, Aug 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Parrish Community Park, 7550 Fort Hamer Rd.

Free to get in.

Bounce houses, waterslides, vendors, food trucks, a basket raffle, and a DJ.

No drive-time math on this one — it's ours.

The Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St E right here in Parrish, runs its regular rides this weekend with departures at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. both days.

The part that matters: North Pole Express tickets go on sale to everybody Wednesday, Aug 19 at noon, and that train sells out every year.

Annual passholders already got early access on Aug 12 — passes start at $45 if you'd rather skip the noon scramble.

The Florida primary is Tuesday, Aug 18, and early voting runs through Sunday, Aug 16.

On Election Day you're locked to your assigned precinct, so if Tuesday looks busy, vote this weekend.

Mail ballots have to reach the elections office by 7 p.m. on the 18th — a Monday mailbox drop won't make it.

Buffalo Creek Little League's fall season filled up with a waiting list, which tells you everything about how fast this town is growing.

And yes — Buffalo Creek's address says Palmetto, but the boundary runs from the Manatee River north to the county line, so Parrish families are squarely inside it.

Still open: i9 Sports runs its fall season Sept 26 through Nov 7, Saturday games at Tom Bennett Park, ages PreK3 through 10th grade — no tryouts, no drafts, everyone plays.

One warning: the early-bird rate still showing on some pages expired Aug 1, so get the live price off the registration page or call 941-312-2400 before you budget.

Florida high school athletes now need an ECG as part of the sports physical, under the state law that took effect July 1.

Book the pediatrician now, not the week the forms are due.

Parrish Community High runs every athletic gate through GoFan, so Bulls tickets live on your phone, not in your wallet.

Set up the app before football season — the line moves faster when you're not creating an account in the parking lot.

Bradenton Riverwalk, 452 3rd Ave W in downtown Bradenton, about 25 minutes down 301.

Free — the park, the playground, the skate park, all of it.

The splash pad runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, weather permitting, and in mid-August it is the whole reason to make the drive.

Free public lots sit along Old Main Street, a short walk from the playground.

Shade is thin at midday, so pack towels and a change of clothes and go before lunch.

The playground is good; the splash pad is why you came.

Woody's River Roo, 5717 18th St E in Ellenton, about 12 minutes down 301.

Old-Florida deck right on the Manatee River — kids watch the boat traffic from the table, which buys you a full uninterrupted meal.

Doors open at 11 a.m. daily.

Here's the honest part: daytime Woody's and nighttime Woody's are two different businesses.

Lunch through early evening is the family window; after dark it's a bar with live music, and that's a compliment to the bar, not a plan for the stroller crowd.

Fresh fish and burgers are the two things they hang their hat on — order accordingly.

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If your crew makes it to Summerfest on Sunday, say hey to the neighbors — half the town will be there.

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

— Greg.