With my first year of college finished, I came back home to Bradenton, FL to be with my friends and family. Transitioning back to a small town from Orlando, there are a lot of qualities that make B-town unique.
1. Crosstown rivalry means so much more than you think
A cross town rival is the general idea of two schools in the same area competing in activities like football with some heckling here and there. But add in a little bit of cowbells, a pinch of rednecks, and crowd passion, and you have the long-standing rivalry between the Lakewood Ranch Mustangs and the Braden River Pirates. Friday night football games with blackouts and whiteouts make the games much more intense and fun.
2. Main Street was the place to be, in middle school, on Friday nights.
“So, what are you doing on Friday night? Really, let’s go to main street!” Ok, so the conversations may not have been like that, but during those middle school days, Lakewood Ranch main street was where everyone spent their Friday nights. Even if you didn’t go to main street, you definitely heard people talking about it.
3. When there is nothing to do on the weekends and you're bored.
Movies? Seen that. UTC? We always go there. Honestly, there’s not much going on, unless you know about a party. But nothing beats staying at home and watching Netflix.
4. Construction work, all day long.
Whether it is state road 64 or state road 70, construction never seems to stop. Before I left for college, a lot of these two main roads were being under construction. Whether it was repaving a road or building a new store, it seems like Bradenton is booming along side its neighbor, Sarasota.
5. Bradenton is not the place for malls.
Ever since the sudden decline of population at the DeSoto Square Mall, everyone has to go outside of town to either UTC in Sarasota, or the Prime Outlet Mall in Ellington. But this may all change soon with a new owner looking to renovate DeSoto.
6. The "Friendly City" sign on the water tower.
I’ve only noticed this a few times, but on the water tower, as you are coming up to State Road 64 on I-75, is the logo for Bradenton with “the friendly city” on the bottom. Sure, the town looks and honestly is pretty friendly, but you’ve got to stop and wonder where that phrase come from.
7. When people ask you where you’re from and they don’t know where Bradenton, FL is so you tell them south of Tampa, FL.
Ever since I’ve left town, I have met some friends who asked me where I was from. Every time I tried to explain where and what Bradenton is, I ultimately tell everyone that it is 45 minutes south of Tampa, then they usually understand where it is. Even thought Bradenton isn’t that well known, its good to have larger cities nearby as a reference point.
8. You went to high school with most of the people you’ve known since elementary school.
This may be different for everyone, but usually most students in Bradenton will continue to see the same classmates up until graduation. All thanks to School Zones. But it’s not such a bad thing, because this allows friendships to transfer over between schools.
9. The word "Y'all" is in your vocabulary.
There’s nothing much to say about this. Whether you realize it or not, most people in Bradenton have become accustomed to the word “y’all” in their everyday lives, and it isn’t until you leave town when you realize how much you say it.
10. You're proud to be from Bradenton, FL.
Ever since I was little, I always dreamed of going outside of this little town and moving somewhere else. I’ve always heard my friends complaining about B-town and they couldn’t wait until they could go to college and leave. Well, after being away for a year, I can honestly say that while I do enjoy living in Orlando, Bradenton truly is my home and I am proud to say so.
