WEEKEND BEST BET: YMCA Splash Bash

As East County families celebrate the start of a new school year, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp. and the Manatee County YMCA are partnering to bring a splash of excitement to back-to-school festivities.

The Back-to-School Splash Bash will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aug. 28, at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, 5100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Festivities will include live music, a water slide, water balloon slingshot, water-palooza games, a dunk tank and other activities.

“The main reason we do this is to give the kids one last summer fling before they buckle down and hit the school year running,” Community Activities Director Lori Basilone said.

The event is free, but families can pre-purchase tickets for a $5 lunch hamburger or hotdog lunch at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

The event may be canceled in the event of rain. For the latest update, please call 907-0202, Ext. 224.