Daytime drama, weekend fun

It will be a weekend of schmoozing at the Southwest Florida SoapFest. Soap stars from Guiding Light, As The World Turns, One Life to Live and The Bold and the Beautiful will meet and greet at a number of festive events to benefit charities.

Hospice of Marco, The Ricky King Children's Fund and Eden-Florida will be the beneficiaries of the two-day event, Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18.

Hospice of Marco is a branch of Hospice of Naples that provides care and support to anyone with or touched by a person with a life-threatening illness. The Ricky King Children's Fund provides financial assistance and medical equipment to children and their families in a time of need.

Eden-Florida provides educational and outreach services for children and adults with autism.

Pat Berry, event director, said charity choices came from herself and volunteers.

"My mom died in November and Hospice was great," she said. "When the Hospice office opened recently it was perfect for us to support."

Berry said volunteer Edie Pagoni is on the board of Eden-Florida and volunteer Pat Junkroski, who also created and donated the SoapFest Web site, suggested The Ricky King Children's Fund.

"A Night of Stars" kicks off the weekend at The Players Club and Spa at Lely Resort at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 17.

A gourmet buffet will be served to guests, but most likely all eyes will be on the stars who will sign autographs, pose for photos, join in a question-and-answer session and take part in emceeing an auction.

Among the items will be a Prime-time Emmy Package for August in Los Angeles when this year's soap stars will receive awards.

Four Emmy winners, Kim Zimmer, Jordan Clarke, Gina Tognoni and Tom Pelphrey, all from Guiding Light, will be at the party.

With them will be other Guiding Light stars, including Michael O'Leary (Dr. Rick Bauer); Nicole Forester (Cassie Layne Winslow); Ricky Paull Goldin (Gus Aitoro); George Alvarez (Father Ray Santos); Nancy St. Alband (Michelle Bauer-Santos); Stephanie Gatschet (Tammy Winslow); John Driscoll (Henry Bradshaw); Caitlin VanZandt (Ashlee Wolf) and Marcy Rylan (Lizzie Spaulding).

Marie Masters, who plays Susan Stewart on As the World Turns and Winsor Harmon, who plays Thorne Forrester, also are in the lineup.

One Life to Live stars also ready to chat and sign autographs are Dan Gautier (Kevin Buchanan), John-Paul Lavoisier (Rex Balsom), Trevor St. John (Todd Manning), and Mark Dobies (Daniel Colson).

A second Prime-time Emmy Package for 2007 in New York City also will be auctioned.

Sharing a scene with the winner's favorite actor to be placed on a DVD; breakfast with the winner's favorite actor on Macro Island; lunch with the winner's favorite actor in New York City; exclusive paintings by the actors; autographed limited edition 2006 posters; photo opportunity with actors for a national magazine, autographed scripts and studio tours make for a happening auction.

Tickets are $100 each for "A Night of Stars."

A late-night Celebrity Bartender Bash begins at 10 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Cocomo's Grill. Celebrities, including long-time star Michael O'Leary, will pour drinks with the best "bartender" receiving a prize for selling the most drinks or getting the most tips.

Tickets are $25 each for the Bartender Bash.

On Sunday, June 18, cruise with celebrities aboard the Marco Island Princess, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Marco River Marina. A buffet will be served as soap fans get to mingle with their favorites while cruising the Marco Island area.

Tickets are $75 each.

If that isn't enough, fans will get to golf with the soap stars. It is expected that at least one celebrity will be in every foursome. Tickets at $100 are sold out and a waiting list has begun.

Call 394-4559 for tickets to any event, or go on line to www.soapfest.com