By Peter Covino
Lifestyles Editor

It’s back.

One of the most popular dining events in the world, the 17th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival returns to Walt Disney World Friday.

The mega food and wine event will be back for a record 46 days running through Nov. 12.

New to the festival this year are The Chocolate Experience, Florida Local Flavors and a marketplace dedicated to the vegan, TERRA.

For a closer look at some of new “menu” items at this year’s festival check out this week’s Dining column on page B-2 of the Lifestyles section.

This incredibly popular event (some of the new events such as the optional Marketplace Chef Tours are already sold out) is a great way to sample food, wine and beer from nearly every spot on the globe. In addition, there are lots of musical guests such as The Pointer Sisters, Boys II Men and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in the Eat to the Beat musical series, included with Epcot admission.

Here is a look at some of the new or nearly new events featured at the festival:

New festival marketplaces debut - TERRA Marketplace will offer vegan cuisine including Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice and Chili Colorado with House-Made Chips and Cashew Cheese; Florida Local marketplace will introduce fresh twists on regional flavor samplings, including a zesty Shrimp Ceviche.  More than 25 ethnic and regional will tempt guests in the World Showcase.

Cranberry bog returns; Watermelons sprout in Future World – A favorite from last year, you can learn all about that favorite berry come Thanksgiving time. There is a cranberry bog at Epcot from Ocean Spray at Future World, plus the National Watermelon Promotion Board presents the first Epcot Watermelon Patch filled with the giant fruits and dotted with storyboards that explain how they grow.

Optional events — Splurge at the Party for the Senses, a weekly nighttime event or visit the Festival Center for daily Culinary Demonstrations. The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) to make reservations.  Information and reservations for select events and programs are at www.epcotfoodfestival.com.

Eat to the Beat Concerts –  This year’s musical guests include Smash Mouth (Oct. 11-12) and Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice” (Oct. 13-14).  Eighteen Eat to the Beat acts are slated, including other new bands Blues Traveler (Nov. 5-6) and Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX (Nov. 7-8).  Night Ranger kicks off the concert series Sept. 28-30, and other returning fan favorites include Boyz II Men, The Pointer Sisters, Sister Hazel and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

HGTV – Superstar HGTV designers host home entertaining seminars every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Gourmet chocolate by Ghirardelli debuts at Festival Center – The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar immerses guests in the sweet sights and smells of the famous flavor and reveals the journey from cocoa beans to the chocolate bar.  Guests can taste samples and purchase chocolate drinks.

Celebrity chefs bring it - Renowned chefs like Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Gale Gand, Dominique Macquet and Rock Harper share their talents during culinary demos.

Other festival highlights include:

•More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting dinners and tasting events.

•A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.

•“3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery on select Fridays.

What’s Included with Epcot Admission:

Authentic Taste seminars, HGTV seminars, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.