Vendors Sought For 1st Lealman Honey & Arts Festival Feb. 18

LEALMAN, FL — The Lealman community is buzzing with news of the first Lealman Honey & Arts Festival scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Raymond H. Neri Community Park, 4303 43rd Ave. N, St. Petersburg.

Organized by the Lealman Engagement Events Committee (Pinellas County, Florida Dream Center, Lealman Fire District, Pinellas County Housing Authority, Lealman Community Association, Lealman Community District Services, St.Petersburg Foundation and Exquisite Events & Marketing), the festival will feature local honey and beekeepers selling their wares, caft vendors, food trucks, live music by the Black Honkeys, La Lucha and Lealman's own Pink Streets, live chainsaw art, live glass blowing, craft beer and wine.

Monika from 102.5 The Bone FM radio will broadcast live from the festival.

"Coming together to celebrate the rich history of Lealman has been a dream of mine. The Honey & Arts Festival represents the dedication of many in the community working together to transform Lealman into a vibrant destination, a place where people can live, work and play," Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice said.

"Partners have been rebuilding and revitalizing Lealman since 2013. It is amazing to see the group get together to bring festivals and culture to the Lealman community," said Steve Cleveland, president and CEO of the Florida Dream Center.

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"Events build a community," said Neil Brickfield, executive director of the Pinellas County Housing Authority. "We are a community in Lealman that doesn't have a lot of events, and it falls on some of us to say why? And if we want it to improve, we have to take action. I'm proud to be part of this committee, and I'm excited to see the joy on Lealman residents' faces as they take part in these activities."

The Lealman Engagement Events Committee was formed in June to develop and host events in Lealman. In December, the committee hosted the first Lealman Holiday Tree Lighting in Lealman Park.

An unincorporated neighborhood in central Pinellas County, Lealman is home to more than 30,000 residents. Citing the potential for community redevelopment, Pinellas County identified Lealman as a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA.) Upcoming -

The festival is sponsored by Crown Automotive, Pinellas County, HCA Northside Hospital, the Tampa Bay Community Foundation, Duke Energy, 3 Daughters Brewing, Pinellas Community Foundation, Pinellas Police Athletic League and Cox Media Group.

This is a free family-friendly event. Smoking and dogs are prohibited.

Anyone who would like to sponsor, support or volunteer for the events planned for Lealman or want more information should reach out to Zelda O'Connell of the Florida Dream Center at Zelda@floridadreamcenter.org or call 727-851-9074.