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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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The kumquat is small, but it draws a big crowd

January 29, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

With its historic courthouse and local shops, downtown Dade City emanates a feeling of Southern Charm.

John Floyd, of Floyd Citrus, holds up a Nagami kumquat tree, as he makes his sales pitch to the crowd. Floyd, a 61-year resident of Dade City, said that this type of kumquat is a perfect ingredient for cakes and pies. (Christine Holtzman)

And, once a year, its streets are transformed when hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors descend on the East Pasco community to pay homage to a tiny, tart citrus fruit called a kumquat.

Now in its 23rd year, the annual Kumquat Festival was held on Jan. 25 and, as usual, people were enjoying themselves as they tasted kumquat pie, sampled kumquat ice cream, listened to music or did a little shopping from vendors, or local shops.

There was entertainment, too, with performances by such acts like the Pasco County Community Choir, Strawberry Express Cloggers, Pasco High School Jazz Band, Saint Leo University Theatre Department, Frank Savers with Influence of Music, and Nashville recording artist Kris Pierce.

Valerie Mann, left, enjoys her slice of kumquat pie, while her husband Dick, savors a spoon of kumquat ice cream. The Manns are snowbirds from Michigan, who spend their winters in Haines City.

This year, there were more than 400 vendors lining downtown streets, selling everything from handcrafted items, to produce and clothes.

It was an event for all ages. Kids could scale a rock climbing wall, take a pony ride, jump around in a bounce house or play games in the Kid’s Corral.

There was a quilt show, a car and truck show, and live entertainment, too.

And, those who came looking for kumquats?

Well, the little gold gem of the citrus industry was in great supply.

Kumquats could be purchased in the form of trees, in fresh bags of the fruit, in kumquat-infused ice cream, cookies, beer, marmalades, salsa — and, of course, the famous kumquat pie.

Published January 29, 2020

Heather Davis, of Tampa, and her husband, Andrew, admire a quilt named ‘Wild Thing,’ created by Helen Newcombe, of Zephyrhills. The quilt was one of several competing in the People’s Choice quilt competition, at the Hugh Embry Branch Library. The East Pasco Quilt Guild Inc., presented the quilt show. Tickets also were sold for a chance drawing for a quilt, with proceeds to benefit Caterpillars to Butterflies Charitable Foundation Inc.
While her husband, Rafael, looks on approvingly, Joyce Lopez-Millan, of Brandon, left, gazes into a mirror as she tries on a handmade hat made by shop owner Laura Adams, center. Adams owns ‘Hats by Laura Michaels.’ She incorporates vintage articles into her work, such as lace from an 1800s-era wedding gown.
The Pasco County Community Choir belts out a gospel tune on the steps of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse. The group was one of nine acts performing throughout the day in the historic courthouse square.
After climbing to the top of the 20-foot course, 5-year-old Olivia Antoni, of Tampa, rappels down the wall. Her parents, Jen and Mark, said that she has rock climbed before, but this course was the highest.

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