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Entertainment

Manatees star; art, music help

Crafters by the score will line the way to the Manatee Festival's boat tours in Crystal River.

By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published January 14, 2006

The Florida Manatee Festival kicks off its weekend stay in downtown Crystal River today, with boat tours of Kings Bay, a fine arts show, live music and lots of food.

The Fine Arts Show, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times, will feature artists who work in oils, watercolors, sculpture and photography. With a heavy focus on wildlife art, the 72 exhibitors will be stationed along the festival's main route on Citrus Avenue. Cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded to winners in the juried show.

In a separate part of the festival will be craft vendors, in a show sponsored by the Crystal River Rotary Club.

This year, the craft show will be moved to the west side of U.S. 19, along Citrus Avenue and NW Fifth Street. The show will have 125 crafters. Festivalgoers can peruse the crafts on their way to the boat tours of Kings Bay.

All that walking is sure to whip up an appetite, and this year's food vendors will have a sumptuous offering. Look for the Shrimp Shack for seafood platters, or, if you prefer, check out Smoking D's Barbecue. Other foods include pizza, fries, a bakery, ice cream and other frozen treats.

A festival favorite is the boat tours of Kings Bay. Pontoon boats operated by local dive companies will take people on a 30-minute ride. The guides' local knowledge usually results in a manatee sighting. Tours cost $5 for adults, and children younger than 5 ride free, provided they can sit on an adult's lap, Citrus County Chamber of Commerce officials said.

The boats depart from the ramp at the end of NW Third Street. The site is about a six-block walk from the festival gates and requires crossing U.S. 19. There will not be any shuttle service between the festival site and the boat ramp. A police officer will be at the crosswalk to ensure pedestrian safety, according to the chamber of commerce.

In other weekend events:

The Melody Lingers On/the Music of Irving Berlin opens this weekend at Playhouse 19, 865 U.S. 19, Crystal River. Showtimes are 8 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students with IDs. Call the box office for reservations or information at 563-1333. It runs through Jan. 29. Comedian Hoop will headline at 8:30 p.m. today at Giggles comedy club at Park Inn Hotel, 4076 S Suncoast Blvd. (U.S. 19), Homosassa Springs. The featured performer will be Gregory Schmidt. Tickets are $7. Doors open for dinner at 7:30. Call 628-4311 for information.

Jorge Sanchez covers arts and entertainment in Citrus County. Call 860-7313 or e-mail sanchez@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 14, 2006, 01:38:14]