Temple Terrace Arts Festival Includes River Challenge, Veterans Day

For years, Temple Terrace residents have looked forward to three annual events: the Temple Terrace Community Arts Festival; the Hillsborough River Challenge; and the Veterans Day celebration.

This year, those three events are being combined into one mega-celebration at Riverhills Park.

Temple Terrace Community Arts Festival

The 39th annual Temple Terrace Community Arts festival will take place this weekend, Nov. 10-11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Admission and parking are free.

“The festival is a juried fine arts and crafts show set in the city’s most scenic park under a canopy of oaks along the banks of the Hillsborough River,” said Irene Bosek, publicity chairwoman of the Temple Terrace Arts Council, which organizes the annual event and sponsors it with support from the City of Temple Terrace.

Artists from around the country pay to show and sell their fine art, contemporary crafts, holiday gifts and more. The proceeds from the festival allow the Arts Council to offer various arts programs for the community.

The proceeds are also saved up and used to commission artists to do local projects around the Temple Terrace community. Past projects include the children’s library murals and the origami outside of the Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex.

“These are just some examples of the council’s dedication to community involvement and pride,” Bosek said.

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Prizes totaling $5,000 will be awarded to participating artists. Additionally, the Arts Council buys fine art from participating artists, which is auctioned during its annual spring event.

“Future artists from the local elementary schools will be exhibiting their work along the Riverwalk during the festival,” Bosek said. “Their art will be judged, and awards will be presented to the winners from each school.”

For more information, visit the Temple Terrace Arts Council online or call 813-988-ARTS.

Hillsborough River Challenge

For more than a decade, Temple Terrace celebrated its proximity to the Hillsborough River by having Riverfest, a one-day event that featured canoe rides and races, educational displays, environmental exhibits and demonstrations by various aquatic teams. It was hosted by the Temple Terrace Parks & Recreation Department.

But last year, the event was slated to be cut altogether because of budget constraints. So, the Temple Terrace Rotary Club became a partner, and they’re back to help host it again this year.

The Hillsborough River Challenge will begin at 7 a.m. Nov. 10 with a pancake and sausage breakfast. Small boat races will start at 8 a.m.

There will be 5-, 10- and 20-mile canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard races, along with the Peaceful Paddle, a leisurely family paddle activity. All races begin and end at Riverhills Park. The 5-mile turnaround is at the Bullard Bridge, the 10-mile turnaround is at the boat ramp on Fowler Avenue, and the 20-mile turnaround is at Trout Creek. The 5-mile family fun paddle winds between the bridges of Temple Terrace.

Racers will receive a T-shirt, goody bag and prizes (while supplies last), according to a city press release.

Proceeds from the event benefit projects of the Temple Terrace Rotary Club, such as MOSI Partnership School, according to the club.

Entry fees vary, and a limited number of rentals are available. Call 813-230-5112 to make a reservation.

For more information, visit the Hillsborough River Challenge online or email info@templeterracerotary.org.

Veterans Day

For the first time, the city’s Veterans Day celebration will take place during Arts Festival weekend.

So, instead of having its customary ceremony at the Lightfoot Recreation Center, the city will have a celebration Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at Riverhills Park. Military veterans will be honored for their service to the country.

Councilwoman Mary Jane Neale will be the guest speaker, according to a city press release. The King High Naval Junior ROTC will present the colors, and vocalist Cheri Tysver will sing. Complimentary cupcakes will be served.

For more information, call the Temple Terrace Leisure Services Department at 813-506-6600.

See also:
Temple Terrace Community Arts Festival
Temple Terrace Arts Festival (2011)
Hillsborough River Challenge
Viewfinder: Hillsborough River Challenge (2011)
Veterans Honored in Temple Terrace (2011)