Anna Maria's pristine beaches will receive national praise this month.

The Clean Beaches Coalition will deliver five "Blue Wave" flags to Manatee County.  The certification designates the beaches as healthy and clean.

The following beaches will each get one flag: Cortez, Manatee, Coquina, Holmes and Anna Maria.  The flags will be flown over the beaches.

The public is invited to attend a special ceremony next Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. at Coquina Beach. After the ceremony, the public is invited to help with Adopt-A-Shore Cleanup of Coquina Beach, which is hosted by Keep Manatee Beautiful.

The Blue Wave program is the first national environmental certification for beaches. The program is in its 13th year.