The Apricot Fiesta’s Poetry and Prose deadline is fast approaching. Writers should submit their work by March 26.

Entries should be typed on 8½-by-11 inch paper with 1-inch margins. Short stories or poems of no more than 500 words can be about any event in the writer’s life.

Winning entries will be included in the book in black and white.Illustrations are encouraged, but yellow does not show on the printed copy.

Name, teacher and homeroom number, and phone number must be included on each entry.

The Cover Art Design Contest deadline is April 23. Entries must be on 8½-by-11-inch paper with 1-inch margins. The words “25th annual Poetry & Prose” and “40th Apricot Fiesta” must be included in the design, and the art must be copy-ready.

Entries may be sent to the Apricot Fiesta, c/o Karen Willard, P.O. Box 442, Patterson, CA 95363, or Shari Fraga, c/o Patterson Joint Unified School District, 510 Keystone Blvd., Patterson, CA 95363; or taken to the district office between 7:30 a.m and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.