By Sharon Still

One of the area's premiere events is right around the corner. It's the 14th annual Apollo Beach Manatee Arts Festival happening on Saturday and Sunday, March 11 and 12 and it promises to be a weekend filled with activities for the whole family.

The event, put on by the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce, is designed to promote awareness and preservation of the West Indian Manatee, while at the same time exposing visitors to a variety of visual, performing and culinary arts. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to organizations and others working with this cause to further insure preservation of the species through research and education.

"It really is a great event and keeps getting bigger and better every year as the community grows," says Apollo Beach chamber executive director Joanne Gadek.

Guests will enjoy perusing and having the opportunity to purchase items from more than 100 juried fine artists and craftsmen from around the country and some of Apollo Beach's own talent. Other highlights include live music, the Showcase of Emerging Artists and the Culinary Arts Program which will feature teams of high school students who study culinary arts competing for cash and awards and culinary professionals dishing out tips on food preparation, shopping and nutrition.

In addition, in the main tent, exhibitors will be promoting ways to protect Tampa Bay waters, wildlife and environment.

Come hungry to enjoy the wide variety of food and beverage vendors, including a beer garden.

Children will love the hands-on arts and crafts and entertainers at the Children's Creativity Center. There will be face painting, story telling, games, puppet shows, gymnastic demonstrations and more. There also will be a special children's art show dubbed "Young at Art" that is a competitive exhibition featuring artwork of youngsters from across Hillsborough County.

The Apollo Beach Manatee Arts Festival is held at a site on U.S. 41 north of Apollo Beach. Event hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 11 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 12. Admission is $5 for adults and free to children under age 12. Admission included parking, entry to the festival and the use of the shuttle to the Manatee Viewing Center.