Artists and art lovers will gather for the 19th Annual Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts. The festival is set to run Saturday, March 12, and Sunday, March 13, at the TECO SouthShore Community Event Center, located at 302 Noonan Branch Rd. in Apollo Beach. On Saturday, the festival will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $5, which includes parking and shuttle to the Manatee Viewing Center. Children 10 and under are free.
Festival attendees can meet and interact with some 85 artists who come from the local area and all over the country. You can view and purchase original pieces of art. In addition, festival goers can enjoy food from a variety of vendors. Entertainment will also be provided throughout the weekend. Returning from last year is Dave Kujat, of Sax Appeal Entertainment. You can also see local sensation, GlorySound, a five-piece Christian rock band from Riverview on Sunday.
Returning for a sixth year is the culinary arts section of the festival. On Saturday at 12 Noon, make sure to see the Culinary Arts Competition. Several talented teams of culinary students from area schools will be competing. On Sunday, be sure to check out the food demonstrations by chefs from two of Tampa Bay’s top establishments, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. There will also be wine tasting opportunities throughout the weekend with wines provided by PRP International.
The Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts is a nationally recognized juried art show. More than $12,000 will be given out in awards to artists and the culinary departments of the schools who compete this year. According to Joanne Gadek, executive director of the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce, “Even after 18 years, there’s always something new and different at the festival. It just keeps getting better and better each year.” The Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts is considered the premiere fine arts festival in southern Hillsborough County. www.apollobeachchamber.com “Manatee Festival of the Arts.” You can also call 645-1366 for more information.
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