BAY ST. LOUIS We know festivals around here, having created and supported some of the best anywhere, and now things are getting geared up for a new kind of festival to add to our community’s portfolio.

ArtsAlive! promises to be an amazing celebration of music, art, food and literature March 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Produced by The Arts, Hancock County, ArtsAlive! will showcase artists hosted at various locations around Old Town. Several will demonstrate their work and all will be on hand to talk about their creative process. Come meet some of the best-known artists in the state as well as talented up-and-comers.

The Singer-Songwriter Showcase at the Mockingbird Cafe will give the public a chance to hear live performances by contest semi-finalists competing for cash prizes.

Can’t have a festival without food, right? Three celebrity judges will pick the top three winners from the Sweets of the South competition. More cash prizes for these winners.

The ArtsAlive! Literary Showcase will feature two writing competitions, two free lectures and a special Writers’ Market.

The Aspiring Writers Contest offers more than $500 in cash prizes for students from local schools.

An “On The Spot” Flash Fiction Contest offers cash prizes for the best work created during ArtsAlive! New Orleans author/journalist Dawn Ruth Wilson will be the judge.

In the Writers’ Market, readers can discover new authors and talk with some local favorites.

There’s plenty more planned for ArtsAlive! Go to www.artsalivegulfcoast.com for details.