SPL EVENTS gardens, offices or large buildings. The Boutique Gallery will offer fine art and fine craft at moderate prices. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. More information at at www.artfestivalbethel.com.
Localtopia takes over Williams Park, 330 2nd Ave. N., and surrounding streets from 10 am to 5 pm on February 24. This will mark the 11th year for the wildly popular community celebration of all things local. Some 300 independent business, artists, food vendors and community organizations will be on hand offering a wide spectrum of products including handcrafted goods, clothing and accessories, home décor, jewelry, plants and plant-based products, and much more. Live music will be performed on two stages and a bike valet will be available. Localtopia is organized by Keep St. Pete Local and sponsored by the City of St. Pete. Please leave pets at home (large crowds); rain date is March 2. For updated information, go to localtopia.keepsaintpetersburglocal.org *** Ready, set, glow! The annual Healthy St. Pete Fit City 5K and 1-mile walk is returning to downtown St. Pete on Saturday, February 3. Healthy St. Pete, a division of the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department, is hosting the 7th annual family friendly Glow in the Park event with activities for all ages starting at 5 p.m. in North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr. NE. More information and registration at healthystpetefl.com.
The St. Pete Science Festival invites families and children to explore the wonders of hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Held in conjunction with MarineQuest (the annual open house of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute), both events happen Saturday, February 10, from 10 am to 4 pm at the USF St Pete campus and Poynter Park. MarineQuest is held indoors and outdoors at FWC, 100 8th Ave. SE. Admission for both is free. Event parking is downtown at the SouthCore parking garage, located at 101 1st Avenue South. A free shuttle will transport visitors to the event entrance. Check out myfwc.com/research/about/ marinequest/ and stpetescifest.org/
*** Join your community in celebrating the life and dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. January 13-15 during MLK Dream Big Weekend. Events for the whole family include an MLK Dream Big Banquet on Jan. 12, Scavenger Hunt Jan. 13, MLK Band Showcase Jan. 14 at Lakewood High School, and culminating in the popular MLK Parade and Family Fun Day on Monday, Jan. 15. Information can be found at mlkdreambig.com
*** Art Festival Beth-El, Temple Beth-El’s annual three-day fine art exhibition and sale, will take place January 27-29, at 400 Pasadena Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Beginning in 1973 with only 20 artists, Art Festival Beth-El now showcases over 170 national and international award-winning artists. A large Outdoor Sculpture Garden will feature a variety of unusual pieces for
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*** Tickets are selling fast for the annual St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs, set for February 6-8 at University of South Florida St. Petersburg Student Center. The lively conference features expert lecturers on global thought and leadership coming together to share ideas and learning. The theme for 2024 is Rethinking, with topics including artificial intelligence, foreign conflicts, monarchies, and much more. A full schedule of speakers and topics was not available at press time. Admission is free, with seating by reservation only. For updates and to reserve a seat, go to worldaffairsconference.org.
