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A feast for the senses

Appetizing food isn't all that's on the menu at Taste of Pinellas. There will also be treats for the eyes, the ears and the energetic kids.

ST. PETERSBURG - Remember, it's just a Taste of Pinellas. After you've tried something from, oh, a dozen or so places, it may be time to get selective.

There will be more than 40 food and beverage vendors to choose from at the 18th annual fundraiser, which runs Friday through Sunday at St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park. And "choose" is the operative term. According to the American Obesity Association, numerous studies show that people are more apt to overeat when faced with a great variety. Of course, the heat of the outdoor festival may help quell the urge to stuff.

Food options are comprehensive, ranging from steak to sushi, tacos to Thai, pizza to prosciutto.

Diners will purchase tickets to trade for tastes, priced at $1 to $4 each. Taste of Pinellas has raised more than $2-million for All Children's Hospital. It is held each June to coincide with the All Children's Hospital Telethon on WFLA-Ch. 8.

Park admission for everyone 13 and older is $5 on Friday or Saturday, free on Sunday. Children 12 and younger are admitted free every day.

Vinoy Park is on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront; more than 60,000 people attended last year's event.

And food isn't all that's on the menu. The event is as much rock concert picnic as gourmet sampler, and plenty of activities will help burn those calories.

An extensive lineup of rock, jazz and blues acts will perform throughout the weekend, with ice-carving demonstrations and fireworks on Saturday night and a kids' play area that includes a 30-foot slide, a water slide, bounce houses and a rock wall.

Musical choices include several national names in addition to popular Florida bands. The music starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday with Corporate Funktion, followed by Stormbringer at 6:30 and Friday's headliner, from 8 to 10, REO Speedwagon (Can't Fight This Feeling, Keep on Loving You).

Saturday's lineup includes Heatseeker at noon, the Billy Norris Project at 1:30 p.m., the Trunk Band at 3, Buffalo Strange at 4:30 and Elevated at 6. Headliner Kenny Loggins (Footloose, I'm Alright) takes the stage from 8 to 10 p.m., followed by fireworks.

Sunday brings Apex to the stage at 1 p.m. and On Que Payers at 2.

Fans of Stranger, a Tampa Bay area rock band popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, should enjoy a set at 3:30 by the Greg Billings Band. Billings was Stranger's lead singer, and the band also features Stranger's bass player, Tom Cardenas.

Eddie Money (Think I'm In Love, Take Me Home Tonight) closes the event, performing from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Taste of Pinellas, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Vinoy Park, Fifth Avenue NE and Bayshore Drive, downtown St. Petersburg. Admission $5 Friday through Saturday, under age 12 free; free for all Sunday. Tastes $1-$4 each. (727) 892-4193. The related All Children's Hospital Telethon airs 8:30 p.m. Saturday to 6:30 p.m. Sunday on WFLA-Ch. 8.

Adobo Grill

Alessi Concessionaires

Arigato

Belleview Biltmore Cabana Grill

Bennigan's

Bob Evans

Cary's Caesar Salads

China Mist

Columbia Restaurant

E&E Stakeout Grill

Edy's/Haagen-Dazs

Emmerson Catering

Florida Restaurant Association

Fresco's Restaurant

Friendly Fisherman Seafood Restaurant

Great Lakes Fish Company

Green Iguana

Guppy's on the Beach

Harvey's 4th Street Grill

Hook's Sushi Bar & Thai Food

Hops Grillhouse & Brewery

Hungry Howie's Pizza

Le Cheesecake

Macaroni Grill

Mangia

Maria's Greek Family Restaurant

Mrs. B's Doe-Al Southern Heritage Catering

Paradise Catering

Pickled Franks

Polar Cup

Quaker Steak and Lube

Red Mesa

Rib City

Snapper's

St. Petersburg Ale House

St. Pete's Famous Italian Ice

Stefano's Gourmet Gelato

Texas Cattle Company

The Pub

The Sports Bar & Grill

Tijuana Flats

Zephyrhills Spring Water