As we set forth into 2024, we at The Laker/Lutz News took some time to reflect on the year that has passed, including the images that graced our pages, website and social media platforms. From community events to local sports and the stories that gripped us, here are some of our favorite images from the past year.
A rescue puppy lovingly enjoys the attention from Wesley Chapel residents Brandy Poblete-Scaglione, left, and Jen Poblete-Scaglione at B Creative Painting Studio at the Grove at Wesley Chapel, during Painting with Puppies.
(Mike Camunas)
Chuck Moulton, the Zephyrhills Shuffleboard Club treasurer and webmaster, elegantly slides a disc to the other side of the narrow court. Moulton, like many other members, such as Fred Litzman, behind, who leans to see the shot, can be found almost daily at the club, either practicing slides, enjoying afternoon frolics or participating in the many tournaments at the club. (Mike Camunas)
Brianna Vorbeck, of Oldsmar, sits upon the Iron Throne — er, Throne of Swords — at the 45th Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Dade City on April 2 as her husband, Travis, snaps a picture. The yearly festival, which runs from mid-February to early April, brought the magical 16th Century European Village of Fittleworth to the wooded fields off Auton Road, just outside Withlacoochee River Park. The festival includes more than 100 artisans selling handcrafted goods and wares, entertainment from jesters, acrobats, bards and more, and even full-contact live armored jousting, themed weekends and some period-accurate food. (Mike Camunas)
Lake Myrtle Elementary fifth grader Kendall Cave, 10, walks her bike across Weeks Boulevard on Aug. 10, the official first day of school for Pasco County Schools. (Mike Camunas)
A Zephyrhills couple dances at the Clock Plaza in historic downtown on Fifth Avenue, to the sounds of the Time Travelers during the Annual Founder’s Day Celebration on March 4. The 112th edition of Founder’s Day Festival returned after a two-year hiatus because of COVID and scheduling conflicts. (Mike Camunas)
It was a wild, and swampy, weekend as Madison Froelich, left, and Amber Allen, both of Land O’ Lakes, are whipped around on a ride at the 14th annual Swamp Fest, the carnival of rides, games, food, entertainment and more at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. The four-day event is a community-wide fundraiser benefiting area schools, nonprofits and community groups, as well as area businesses. It is hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Athletic Booster Club. (Mike Camunas)
Iren Taylor, left, and Sarah Gruber share a laugh while running on the trail at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City during the third annual Stomp Out Suicide Trail Run, hosted by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department. The run — that included a 10K, 5K, a fun run and a dog run — is part of the department’s ‘RECreate Your Mind’ initiative, which hosts events to bring attention to suicide prevention. (Mike Camunas)
Ten-year-old Kam Venkat, of Wesley Chapel, straps on a helmet and gets ready to ride a friendly stallion with the help of Tammy Sliger during Saddle Up for Autism on April 29, at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson. Venkat, and a handful of other kiddos with special needs, had a fun afternoon that included feeding farm animals, riding and grooming horses, and playing on the ranch compound. The event is one of the inclusive activities the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department put on in April, which is Autism Awareness Month. (Mike Camunas)
C’Rayiah Gardner, 7, takes a fun ride down the slide on an inflatable obstacle course during the Juneteenth Community Celebration on June 17, at the Lewis Abraham Boys & Girls Club, 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd., in Dade City. The celebration included the family fun zone, local vendors and food trucks, free health screenings, prizes, games and raffles. (Mike Camunas)
Sunlake High mom Kristin Satin performs a dance in a shirt with her son’s face on it during a showcase for Seahawk Seniors’ Homecoming Week. Satin and dozens of other senior moms (and a few dads) boogied down at the football fields at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Sept. 20 to entertain hundreds in attendance, including their senior students and friends. (Mike Camunas)
Eboni Reed, left, and Donette Howe enjoy a coconut drink and some bluesy music during the Seventh Annual Pasco Blues Festival on Feb. 18, at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes. Three popular blues artists performed throughout the afternoon. Proceeds from adult beverage sales benefit the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel’s support for the Bridging Freedom Foundation. (Mike Camunas)
From left, Mirada residents Jared Romero and Tori Romero and their guest, Laura Berry, enjoy some sunbathing while lounging at Mirada Lagoon in San Antonio. It is the largest human-made lagoon in the country with 15 acres of water and offers activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, an obstacle course, water slides, a swim-up bar, lounging and beach play and playgrounds. (Mike Camunas)
Ten-year-old Sophia Joiner was one of hundreds of Lutz residents and locals who attended the annual Lutz Independence Day Parade on the morning of the Fourth of July. The event featured nearly 50 floats, with beads and trinkets being tossed to the patriotic faithful lined up and down Lutz Lake Fern Road, in front of the Lutz Branch Library and near the historic Lutz Train Depot. Event-goers battled the heat, but still enjoyed the parade, the cake auction, the naming of a new Lutz Guv’na, the 5K and Mile Fun Run, and other activities. The yearly event brings out a huge crowd, in the community of more than 28,000, in an unincorporated area in North Tampa. (Mike Camunas)
Land O’ Lakes resident Trinity Boyle tries to keep down a cannoli during Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market’s first-ever Cannoli Eating Contest in Wesley Chapel on Aug. 27. (Mike Camunas)
Danielle Ostolaza, of Holiday, uses sidewalk chalk to draw one of her four sectionals of murals during the Chalk Art Festival at the KRATE at the Grove on April 16. Ostolaza, along with a handful of other local artists, were given the chance to show off their artistic styles and creations during the festival. The Wesley Chapel shopping and entertainment district also was the venue for The Harvest Market, which featured dozens of vendors. (Mike Camunas)
