The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Main Street Zephyrhills garners statewide recognition

By

Main Street Zephyrhills annually puts on some of the city’s largest and most popular downtown events, such as the Festival of Lights, the Founder’s Day Parade & Heritage Festival, Music & Motorcycles, and others.

The 501c3 nonprofit, too, has been a crucial component in several large public projects of late — cultivating interactive art murals and mounting wireless electronic speakers downtown to serve up daily music for pedestrians, for example. It also works with city leadership on other initiatives, such as installing public Wi-Fi downtown and more public park benches.

Main Street Zephyrhills was designated the March 2020 Florida Main Street Program of the Month. (Courtesy of Main Street Zephyrhills)

The organization’s varied efforts have not gone unnoticed: It recently was designated Florida Main Street Program of the Month by Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee.

The selection was based on its development achievements and participation in the Florida Main Street program.

Since its founding in 1994, Main Street Zephyrhills has reported more than $19.5 million in public and private reinvestment, more than 1,000 new jobs, and 185 new businesses within its district boundaries. It also has accumulated more than 26,000 volunteer hours.

“I am so impressed by Main Street Zephyrhills’ growing success,” Lee said, in a release. “Their district continues to build on the community’s assets to celebrate and recognize their distinctive history and heritage.”

The monthly honor is believed to be the first for Main Street Zephyrhills, according to the organization’s coordinator, Anna Stutzriem.

“I was just floored when they called and told me about it,” she said.

Under Stutzriem’s leadership, Main Street Zephyrhills has seen business and residential membership increase more than 10-fold in the last 2 ½ years, rising from seven members to 82.

Last year, the organization achieved national accreditation by the Main Street America program “for generating impressive economic returns, preserving community character, and celebrating local history.”

Stutzriem began as a Main Street volunteer about five years ago, working her way from board member to coordinator — the organization’s only city-funded employee position.

The majority of the organization’s funding comes from memberships, sponsorships and donations.

Stutzriem, who also co-owns a day care center in Zephyrhills, credited the organization’s string of accomplishments to its collection of “hard-working” and “dedicated” board members and volunteers.

She estimates the organization has roughly 130 volunteers to 150 volunteers throughout the year, ensuring events and programs run smoothly and effectively.

Main Street Zephyrhills was designated the March 2020 Florida Main Street Program of the Month. Programs are selected based on their development achievements and participation in the Florida Main Street program. Since its founding in 1994, Main Street Zephyrhills has reported more than $19.5 million in public and private reinvestment, more than 1,000 new jobs, and 185 new businesses within its district boundaries.

“They’re just people in the community that care about the community, and I think that helps a lot,” she said. “These people come in, they get paid nothing, and they give their blood, sweat and tears, and I’m just so honored to be associated with them.”

The amount of support and collaboration from City Hall has likewise led to more completed initiatives throughout the municipality, Stutzriem said.

“The support we get from the city is just amazing,” she said. “I look at the other Main Street programs, we talk, and I think we have got to be one of the most supported Main Street…and I’m just honored to be a part of it.”

Main Street Zephyrhills facilitates new business to the historic downtown district, offering commercial property listings on its website, and a resource guide for entrepreneurs to get in contact with the proper city officials, such as the planning department and CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency).

Within the last couple months, the organization helped welcome a new hair salon and a CBD store to Fifth Avenue in downtown Zephyrhills, Stutzriem said.

Stutzriem explained the organization’s role like this: “Our mission and our goal is to promote not only the downtown, but our local businesses, our mom and pops. We want to make our downtown a destination, and a safe, fun place for our families and our communities to come to…”

While generating more downtown business is important, Stutzriem emphasized it’s important for Zephyrhills “to keep that small town charm.”

“We’re growing leap and bounds, we’re just exploding over here in Zephyrhills with growth, but I still think it’s important to have the small town, know your neighbors, and gather with them,” she said.

The organization’s event hosting has been “improving greatly” in recent years, she also noted.

For instance, December’s Festival of Lights drew somewhere between 13,000 to 15,000 attendees. She characterized that turnout as “quite extraordinary for a small town event.”

The organization, too, has gone about drawing bigger acts to events — such as booking the Greg Billings Band for September’s Music & Motorcycles.

Event partnerships with nonprofits have expanded, Stutzriem said. Those partnerships include Gulfside Hospice on Paulie Palooza; Zephyrhills/Wesley Chapel Ministerial Association on the Harvest Festival; and Zephyrhills Pregnancy Care Center on the Founder’s Day 5K race, among others.

To find out more about Mainstreet Zephyrhills, visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org, or email .

Published March 18, 2020

Dade City flood relief in final stages

By

Construction is nearing completion on a project in downtown Dade City — which aims to address flooding that plagued the area for years.

The project involves installing new underground stormwater piping.

The concrete pipeline has been lengthened longer than its initial 2,400-linear-foot projections, said Abu Nazmurreza, Dade City’s public works director. New curb drains also have been incorporated.

Behind Dade City’s City Hall, a portion of Pasco Avenue is being unearthed to facilitate new piping. This is one of several routes to see pipe placement that will help diminish flooding in the downtown region. (File)

These improvements will ease the flow of rainwater as it goes down the piping system, passing U.S. 98 and the CSX railway, to the east. The water is then stored in Irvin Pond.

The new system runs from Seventh Street’s intersections with Church Avenue and Pasco Avenue. Then it heads east on Pasco Avenue to Third Street, before heading north up to Meridian Avenue.

Although the majority of construction has been completed, work on Pasco Avenue still needs to be done, Nazmurreza said.

“We are installing a new 6-inch water main through Pasco [Avenue] between Eighth Street and Fifth Street,” he added.

Currently, there are sections of Pasco Avenue that are still unearthed and await repaving.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has to certify the completion of the project by analyzing water pressure, and checking for any bacterial content.

At that point, the existing pipeline will connect with the new one, and Pasco Avenue will be resurfaced.

Modifications also have been made to Irvin Pond to better accommodate the additional stormwater.

The body of water has been expanded by 50% from its original width, according to Nazmurreza.

“The pond on Canal Street was not sufficient enough for taking all the water from the downtown area,” he explained.

The wider area also will extend the time period for the wastewater to be treated.

And Canal Street, east of the pond, has had its culvert pipe reconfigured, as well.

The metal pipe has been replaced with concrete piping, due to rusting.

The street will have to undergo repaving now that the new culvert pipe has been installed.

The road has been temporarily laid with gravel for motorists.

The $1.8 million project is scheduled to wrap up in the coming weeks, Nazmurreza said.

Currently, a detour has to be made on Pasco Avenue. Shop owners, however, are not currently affected by construction.

Published March 18, 2020

Zephyrhills Founder’s Day heads back to The Roaring ‘20s

By

Thousands made their way to downtown Zephyrhills to honor the city during the 110th Founder’s Day Parade & Heritage Festival on March 7.

The Zephyrhills High School Marching Band was the first marching band featured in the 110th Founder’s Day Parade & Heritage Festival. Other marching bands included Land O’ Lakes High School and Stewart Middle School. (Christine Holtzman)

This year’s theme was “The Roaring ‘20s: Glitz, Glam and Tin Cans” – which celebrated the wild decade of gangsters, the Charleston and flappers.

The 1920s also marked the start of the tin can tourist trend in Zephyrhills.

People from all over would come to the area for the warm weather, in their homemade camping trailers.

One could say this was the early beginnings of the modern day ‘snowbird.’

The parade, which featured floats, marching bands, dignitaries and various vintage vehicles, kicked off the event at 10 a.m.

Riding in a red jeep, Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield and his wife, Ernestine, tossed candy into the crowd along the parade route.

Many riding on floats tossed out beads and candy to the crowds that lined up along the parade route.

One of the parade highlights was when Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield, who along with his wife, Ernestine, tossed candy from atop the red jeep they were riding in.

Over 80 vendors and food trucks lined Fifth Avenue and some side streets, offering an array of dining and shopping options.

Throughout the day, live music was performed on the Eiland Clock Stage. A storytelling series, called ‘Tales of the Hills,’ also entertained audiences from the Hopkins Family Porch, at the Jeffries House.

Rounding out the event – there was a kid zone, with a bounce house and inflatable slide. The Zephyrhills Police Department had a K-9 demonstration, and there was an old-fashion corn grinding presentation at the Woman’s Club.

The event was hosted by Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave.

After enjoying the parade, Payton Adams of Wesley Chapel, and her sibling, Declan Sanders, both 5, enjoy an ice treat, while seated on the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue. Payton enjoyed a rainbow flavored ice treat, while Declan dug into strawberry.
On the sidewalk near the Eiland Clock Stage, Michael Thomas Jr., of Zephyrhills, performs with his ‘juggle sticks,’ to the live music entertainment of Rusty Trumpet & The Music Makers. Thomas is a medically retired U.S. Army veteran who, during his military career, completed two tours of Afghanistan.
Mitchell Shirley, SSG, Retired, of Lakeland, right, takes a turn tossing a bean bag while playing the game of cornhole with his 16-year-old son, Sean. The pair was at the Founder’s Day Parade & Heritage Festival with Mitchell’s girlfriend, Ruth Larrett, of Zephyrhills.
Jacob Ozar, aka Captain America, bends down to pet Gizmo, an 8-year-old chocolate labrador retriever, owned by Jacqui Strickland, of Ontario, center, and her husband, Cliff.

 

 

 

 

Fire department merger talks continue

By

The Zephyrhills Fire Department soon could consolidate into Pasco County Fire Rescue, but myriad issues are still being negotiated.

The Zephyrhills City Council held a March 2 workshop to review a county-drafted interlocal agreement that would provide fire suppression/first responder services for the municipality.

Under the agreement, Pasco Fire Rescue would operate the city’s two fire stations and would absorb the city’s fire department personnel at their proper pay step. The county agency would ensure and maintain additional staffing needs at both stations and place an ambulance within the city limits.

The negotiations are a result of a unanimous council decision last July to direct city staff to begin formal consolidation talks with Pasco County Fire Rescue.

The City of Zephyrhills is in negotiation with Pasco County regarding a proposal for the Zephyrhills Fire Department to become part of Pasco County Fire Rescue. The Zephyrhills City Council would need to approve any consolidation agreement. (File)

The impending merger is due in part to funding and staffing issues that have plagued the city’s fire department for several years.

With a merger, Zephyrhills property owners would pay for county fire rescue services through a Municipal Service Taxing Unit, or MSTU.

City officials say that an MSTU for fire services is expected to have less financial impact on city residents and commercial entities than a fire assessment fee.

During the 90-minute workshop, however, city leaders expressed reservations about several aspects of the drafted proposal.

One of the larger concerns involves the amount of leave hours that a Zephyrhills Fire Department employee would be allowed to transfer to the county.

Based on the agreement, the Zephyrhills fire employee could transfer a maximum of 48 hours of annual and sick leave to the county.

Zephyrhills firefighter union leader Travis Geiger and city staff both object to that limit.

Geiger is a 13-year Zephyrhills fire veteran with more than 1,000 hours of vacation and sick leave on the books.

“Some of us have accumulated a lot of hours, and now we’re not going to have that,” Geiger told the council.

“For me to go over and now suddenly have only 48 hours and be a 13-year employee, I do feel like there’s a certain amount of time off that I’ve earned, that when I want to take a day off, I would like to be able to take that day off; that’s part of the longevity, and that goes for anybody,” he said.

Geiger said he understands the county’s point of view — a concern that Zephyrhills fire employees would “just take a bunch of time off” when they move over to Pasco Fire Rescue.

He suggested that city staff negotiate for 50% of what each Zephyrhills fire employee has accumulated.

“It seems like an easy number,” Geiger said. “I’m not taking all of it…but, it gives me a little bit of cushion.”

Issues remain unresolved
Another concern involves the proposed requirement that a Zephyrhills fire employee must have eight years of service with the county before receiving retiree group health care.

That requirement would pose a problem for four Zephyrhills fire employees, who’ve been with the city for more than 20 years and have less than five years to go until earning retirement status.

Geiger said he believes there’s “some amount of wiggle room” for the county to take care of the longest-tenured employees on a case-by-case basis.

“We’re trying to reduce that eight years,” Geiger said. “The eight years was a number (the county) pulled out of the sky.

Zephyrhills firefighter union leader Travis Geiger addresses the Zephyrhills City Council at a March 2 workshop regarding consolidation negotiations with the Zephyrhills Fire Department and Pasco County Fire Rescue. (Kevin Weiss)

“I think they’re willing to lower that number again,” he said, and he thinks “their concern is they don’t want people to work for a day and quit.”

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe also had some issues.

He pointed out various financial errors in the agreement — such as how the city isn’t properly credited for transferring over fleet and equipment to the county, which he said could mean a net positive swing of at least several hundred thousands of dollars.

The city manager also questioned a “Public Service Answering Point” charge, which states the city must pay the county $17.47 for each emergency 911 call for medical/fire rescue services. Based on the roughly 4,000 calls the city had last year, that would equate to about a $70,000 charge each year, Poe said.

“That number may be justified,” Poe said, but he needs to see the breakdown of where the costs are coming from.

Another issue that needs further discussion involves the county’s push to handle plan reviews for all new construction within city limits, Poe said.

The city has an in-house building official.

Poe said he understands the county’s perspective, as its firefighters would be the ones going into various building structures.

But, he said, “we want to be able to control the development and the pace of development and the timeframes that these plans are approved.”

City council president Ken Burgess agreed: “We don’t want our development at the mercy of somebody else’s department, so we need to make sure we find a solution for that.”

Elsewhere, the city is seeking a 20-year contract with automatic renewals with the county, as opposed to a 15-year agreement with automatic renewals the county has proposed.

The city also wants more information from the county on such issues as: the costs for Pasco Fire Rescue to conduct home assists for city residents (helping someone who’s fallen to the floor and can’t get up); and costs to cover special events, like Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest and the Founders Day Parade and Heritage Festival.

City staff will again meet with county fire leadership on March 11.

The hope is to have a finalized agreement in place by June, nearly a year after the council directed staff to begin formal negotiations.

Burgess put the status of negotiations like this: “It seems like it’s taking a long time, which it is, but I can see why it’s taking a long time, too, because we’re just having to go back and forth.

“As we said from the beginning, we want to look for as close to a perfect solution as we can get, and knowing that all sides are going to have to give a little somewhere to achieve that.”

Councilman Alan Knight added the impending fire department merger is “maybe the biggest step this council has taken in a long time.”

He asked negotiators to protect the city and the interest of the firefighters, as they continue their discussions.

Published March 11, 2020

History comes alive at Civil War reenactment

By

Civil War buffs, area students and spectators had a chance to get a sense of what life was like during the U.S. Civil War era, at a three-day event at the Florida Pioneer Museum and Village in Dade City.

Inside their camp, the reenactors portraying the Confederate soldiers of the 37th Alabama Infantry pose for a picture, before heading into the battle reenactment. The men say that they are all close friends, and many of them have Union uniforms, so they can switch sides if there is a shortage of actors. (Christine Holtzman)

The event, held Feb. 28 through March 1, provided an opportunity for school field trips and for museum visitors to immerse themselves in living history displays.

Public school, private school and home-school students visited on Feb. 28, taking self-guided tours through camps and stations created to give a sense of what life was like in the 1860s.

The museum also offered guided tours of many of the museum buildings, including the 1860s-era Overstreet House.

On the weekend, several informational presentations led up to the big show, The Battle of Santa Rosa Island reenactment.

Other features of the day included a blacksmith and wood wright demonstration, live entertainment, food, and traditional crafters.

There also was a Time Period Fashion Show, on Feb. 29, on the porch of the Overstreet House. There was a Ladies Tea, too, which welcomed spectators, but required them to wear period dress to participate.

The Confederate soldiers line up to take aim with their rifles at the Union soldiers during the Battle of Santa Rosa reenactment, on Feb. 29, at the Florida Pioneer Museum and Village.

The Battle of Santa Rosa Island was conducted on both weekend days.

Audiences were encouraged to bring their lawn chairs or blankets to witness the great battle reenactment, as the Confederate and Union Soldiers battled for Santa Rosa Island, a 40-mile barrier island located in the Panhandle near Pensacola.

The historical Battle of Santa Rosa took place on Oct. 9, 1861, and was a victory for the Union. According to the website AmericanCivilWar.com, an estimated total of 154 men lost their lives that day.

The actors that participate in the Dade City Civil War reenactment usually arrive at the museum on the Thursday before the start of the event. These hobbyists pay for their own expenses out of their own wallets, and make or purchase their own costumes.

Many agree that it is a very expensive hobby.

Joe Kurtright, a musician with the live old-time musical act, ‘7lbs of Bacon,’ summed it up like this: “The reenactors do it for their history and their heritage, and for the deep love of their country.”

Published March 11, 2020

HK Edgerton, of Ashville, North Carolina, walks along the road, proudly carrying his Confederate battle flag. The Vietnam veteran and former president of the Ashville chapter of the NAACP, is a prominent African-American activist for Southern heritage, and is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Soldiers from the 5th Florida Company B await orders from their Colonel, before entering battle. From left: Nick Voss of Leesburg, Sheyenne McAlister of Webster, Kate-Nayeli Carvajal of Bushnell, Randy Watkins of Tampa, and Justin Kirby of Bushnell. Three years ago, Watkins was a spectator when, because of his authentic Civil War period look, he was recruited out of the crowd to participate in reenactments.
The Union soldiers pack their rifles and shoot at the Confederates, during the reenactment of The Battle of Santa Rosa on Feb. 29, at the Florida Pioneer Museum and Village.

Lien forgiveness program may be expanded

By

The City of Zephyrhills is considering a facelift to its residential lien forgiveness incentive program — to also include commercial properties.

Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency director Gail Hamilton outlined the case for an enhanced program, as part of a continued effort to increase property values in and around the downtown area.

Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton addresses the CRA board, which is made up of the Zephyrhills City Council. (Kevin Weiss)

The  Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board proceeded to direct staff to draft such a policy for further review at its Feb. 24 meeting. The Zephyrhills City Council also makes up the CRA Board.

Zephyrhills instituted a residential lien forgiveness program in May 2017, to promote investment and improvements to blighted properties and vacant lots, and increase home ownership within its city limits.

Under the program, applicants have one year to make agreed upon improvements ($2,500 minimum) to the property.

Once the work is completed by a licensed general contractor, the city waives various mowing and code enforcement liens previously placed on the property.

Similar procedures and policies would apply to a commercial lien forgiveness program, with each property taken on a case-by-case basis, Hamilton said.

For example, the owner of the property cannot be the one that incurred the liens in the first place — it has to be a new owner that purchased a property with existing outstanding liens.

The CRA director noted interest has picked up lately from applicants looking to redevelop commercial properties burdened with thousands of dollars of unpaid fines.

Those liens have made those properties overpriced and unattractive to potential buyers, she said.

“Having a commercial property sitting empty does not help anyone,” Hamilton told board members.

Forgiving the liens, she said, “is one more tool in my toolbox to get something done.”

Board members indicated they want to come up with a “unified program” and hammer out some of the finer details, such as how to handle title insurance and loan policies as it relates to businesses.

Additionally, Jodi Wilkeson, president of the CRA board and a member of the city council, pondered how such a commercial lien forgiveness policy might lead to unintended consequences.

She wondered if it could lead to a national credit investor to come into town and buy up several properties to lease out to others “then we have a series of people coming in and out, in and out, in and out.”

Sidewalks needed in Zephyrhills
Hamilton also presented a first look of the Zephyrhills CRA’s sidewalk master plan, being completed by consulting firm Kimley-Horn to provide details on the existing state of sidewalks in the CRA district, and set priorities for the construction of new sidewalks and trails.

Within the 602-acre district, the city has sidewalks at Hercules Park, Woodland Elementary School, Stewart Middle School, West Zephyrhills Elementary School, the Zephyrhills City Hall/Library Complex and Zephyr Park.

However, an analysis shows a general lack of connectivity and missing sidewalk segments, that otherwise would help people access and experience Zephyrhills’s downtown, and improve quality of life for residents and visitors.

Hamilton described the state of the city’s sidewalk system this way: “It’s not very good.”

“At this point, we just need sidewalks,” Hamilton told board members. “We need to increase the walkability and accessibility within the CRA district.”

She said when people are surveyed about great towns to visit, they often mention the ease of getting around on foot, as well as parks and downtown areas.

“We want Zephyrhills to have that same experience,” Hamilton said.

The CRA director said “high priority” is being placed on building more sidewalks (at least 6-feet wide) at nearby schools and parks “because we want kids and families to be able to get back and forth.”

A GIS analysis identified 21 “high priority” locations where missing sidewalk segments are needed, with another 50 areas labeled either “medium priority” or “low priority” for sidewalks.

Hamilton noted there are some potential conflicts — parking lots, utilities, drainage facilities —that prevent installing sidewalks on both sides of the street at some locations.

One solution is to install well-marked crosswalks from a particular destination to a sidewalk on the other side of the street, she said.

A final master plan document will include cost estimates for sidewalks based on the priority rankings.

Possible funding sources include Safe Routes to School Program, Local Agency Program, Recreational Trails Program and Community Development Block Grant.

The city also could establish a sidewalk mitigation fund and/or utilize public works funds.

Said Hamilton, “We’re not going to be able to do it all at one time; we’ll just do it as we can.”

Founder’s Day Parade set
Organizers of the 110th Zephyrhills Founder’s Day Parade & Heritage Festival are hoping for a greater turnout from youth at this year’s event.

Main Street Zephyrhills coordinator Anna Stutzriem told CRA board members that more kid-friendly activities have been incorporated this year to an event that “has historically been an older demographic.”

The Kid’s Zone will include sidewalk chalk creations, bounce houses and craft workshop demonstrations hosted by Home Depot.

This year’s Founder’s Day Parade theme is, “The Roaring 20s: Glitz, Glam & Tin Cans.”

Th event will have 70 vendors and somewhere between 65 to 70 parade entries, Stutzriem said.

The event is set for March 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills.

For information, call (813) 780-1414, or visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org.

Published March 4, 2020

Dade City seeks feedback on new park

By

The City of Dade City is seeking community and resident input for its newest park — what’s being hyped as a downtown splash park/bike hub.

Public meetings to gather input on the project’s finer details are scheduled for March 5 at 5:30 p.m., and March 12 at 1:30 p.m., while a draft conceptual presentation is scheduled for March 16 at 6 p.m. Each of those meetings will be at the Dade City Commission Chambers, 38020 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Dade City has set several public meetings to seek input on a future multi-million dollar downtown splash park/bike hub. Shown here is an initial rendering of the project, which will be situated near the Hardy Trailhead on Church Avenue. (File)

The City Commission in October approved an $800,000 land purchase for a 2.23-acre parcel near the Hardy Trailhead on Church Avenue to be the site of the future park. (The contract sale price totals $1.3 million, but the property owners have agreed to donate the difference toward the park project.)

A preliminary concept plan for the park has called for a multi-use water splash pad, bike-share shelter, amphitheater, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible playground, open space, a concession area and other amenities. Funding for the project is expected to come from city reserve funds, Penny for Pasco revenues and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Meanwhile, the Pasco County Tourist Development Council has allocated $250,000 for the recreational project.

After residents and city officials weigh in on the project, the next steps include finalizing a master plan, and then moving onto a final design and engineered site plan.

The park likely will be completed in phases over the next several years, officials have said, starting with the bike hub, which could break ground sometime this year, in partnership with the county’s tourism office.

City leaders have discussed building a splash park/bike hub the past few years, with the idea it could help revitalize the downtown business district, while offering another healthy recreational outlet for local youth, residents and visitors.

For more information, call the Dade City Planning Department at (352) 521-1493.

Published March 4, 2020

Pasco County Fair lives up to its theme

By

The Pasco County’s Fair’s theme this year was “It’s an Adventure,” and the crowd at the event seemed to bring that idea to life.

Children are seen having a good time on the kiddie-approved ‘Frog Hopper’ ride at the Pasco County Fair on Feb. 22. From left: Ryder Karppe, 6, of Land O’ Lakes; Wyatt Barthle, 8, of Land O’ Lakes; Abigail Warren, 6, of Dade City; Christine Runner, 9, of Zephyrhills; Lily Lentz, 5, of Wesley Chapel; and, Liam Galley Salgueiro, 8, of Ontario. (Christine Holtzman)

The fair, which recently wrapped, ran from Feb. 17 through Feb. 23.

Held at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City, it had a little of something for everyone.

Dozens of amusement rides dotted the landscape, giving thrill-seekers of all ages a wide selection of options.

Rides, such as the “Frog Hopper,” the kiddie coaster, the Ferris wheel and the carousel were just some of the child-approved choices.

For the more adventurous, one could try out the “Zipper,” in which people sat in caged carts that flipped upside down and spun, as they journeyed around a rotating oblong frame.

The “Ring of Fire” was another bold choice.

The ride was a giant loop fitted with track — similar to a roller coaster — which stood approximately 50 feet high. Riders, two to a seat, sat in a train that propelled forward, then backward, until the momentum would bring the train to stop on top of the loop, dangling riders upside down.

Angus, a life-like Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur (played by Nathanial Shufling), and his handler, Jeannine Tores, greet people as they walk along on the midway on Feb. 22. The pair are part of the ‘Walking with Giants’ attraction, presented by Prehistoric Adventures.

The rides weren’t the only attractions.

There also were daily agricultural shows and competitions, musical performances, magic shows, and even a Pirate high-wire aerial act.

There were lots of games of chance, too, with lucky winners walking away with plush dolls and goldfish.

Hungry patrons and foodies rejoiced — with a seemingly endless choice of concession options, including hot dogs, pizza, funnel cakes, fried Oreos and more.

Perhaps the highlight of the event, though, were the happy memories made by friends and family spending some time at the 73rd annual Pasco County Fair.

Published February 26, 2020

Five-year-old Clint Chessher, of Zephyrhills, reacts with excitement as he sits on the spinning wheel of the ‘Hillbilly Village’ funhouse. Clint was at the Pasco County Fair with his dad, Dwayne, and their friends, the Stoner family.

Nineteen-year-old Lucia Castillo, of Dade City, competes against her friend, Fletcher Jahn, in the ‘Water Gun Fun’ game at the 73rd annual Pasco County Fair on Feb. 22.
Jeremy Alford, of Dade City, plays a game that requires competitors to hang from a pull-up bar for at least 90 seconds, in order to win a prize. The longer the competitor hangs determines the size of the plush doll prize. On his first try, Alford came in at 90 seconds.
Seventeen-month-old Ridley Hoffman, of Indianapolis, enjoys a milkshake that his grandmother, Peggy Hoffman of Illinois, offers to him. This is the child’s first trip to Florida, and he and his family are staying in the Wesley Chapel home of his great aunt Kelly and great uncle Billy.
Andrew Bridegroom, of Dade City, holds the leashes of five of his goats that he and his children entered into various competitions at the Pasco County Fair on Feb. 22. His 7-year-old son, Eli, won first place for Showmanship in the Pee Wee category, and Eli’s twin, Kassie, came in second. The competitions were presented by, ‘No Goats, No Glory Dairy Goat Shows.’

 

Zephyrhills steps back to the 1920s

By

This year’s Founder’s Day weekend in Zephyrhills will give event-goers a taste of what life was like during the 1920s.

The event kicks off with a public dance, on the evening of March 6, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Those attending are invited to wear period clothing and to enjoy recreating popular dance moves of the era, including the “Charleston,” “Black Bottom” and “Shimmy.”

These Model T Fords rolled down the road during a previous Founder’s Day celebration in Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of Main Street Zephyrhills)

The free event will be at Zephyrhills’ Eiland Clock Stage, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street.

The Run for Life event on March 7 will start at the same location.

A 5K begins at 7:45 a.m., and a 1-mile run at 7:50 a.m.

Refreshments will be provided, and awards will be given after the run.

Registration can be done online, or the day of the event at 6:30 a.m.

The Founder’s Day Heritage Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills.

This free celebration includes games, live entertainment, vendors offering food, and arts and crafts.

It also will be the site for the 10 a.m. parade, where spectators can cheer on the stream of vehicles, bands and horse riders to grace downtown’s Fifth Avenue.

Online registration is $25 for the 5K run, and the virtual 5K run – for those contributing but not physically participating. The 1-mile run registration is $15 online. The price for each event goes up by $5, when registering the day of the run.

Proceeds will benefit the Zephyrhills Pregnancy Care Center, which helps to assist mothers and their young ones.

To register, visit tinyurl.com/vgv733j.

For additional information, call (813) 780-1414, or visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org.

Founder’s Day  
When: March 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; March 7 –  5K run at 7:45 a.m., 1-mile run at 7:50 a.m., festival at 9 a.m., and parade at 10 a.m.
Where: Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
Cost: Free admission for dance and festival. Online registration is $25 for the 5K run and $15 for the 1-mile run. Prices increase by $5 when registering the day of the event.
Details: Zephyrhills will step back in time to celebrate the 1920s era.
Info: For registration, visit tinyurl.com/vgv733j.
Info: Call (813) 780-1414, or visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org.

Published February 26, 2020

Music fest to liven up Zephyrhills

By

This year’s Paulie Palooza Music Festival coincides with Leap Day, on Feb. 29.

The event will be held at Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., from noon to 9 p.m., with its traditional all-day roundup of live performances.

This year’s Paulie Palooza Music Festival in downtown Zephyrhills will be on Feb. 29, also known as Leap Day. (Courtesy of Gulfside Healthcare Services)

Patrons will be able to listen to musical performances, browse an assortment of vendors and grab a bite to eat from a variety of food trucks.

Festival-goers also will have a chance to purchase tickets for prize drawings, or make bids on items at a silent auction.

Because of limited seating, those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. And, the event is pet-friendly, too, but pets should be on a leash.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Gulfside Hospice, which offers end of life care and treatment options for those with chronic illnesses. It also tries to help patients remain independent with skilled nursing and rehabilitation at home. These services are offered regardless of patient’s financial situation.

For more information, vendors or sponsors should contact Leesa Fryer at (727) 845-5707 or .

Additional information about the event can be found at Gulfside.org.

Paulie Palooza Music Festival
When: Feb. 29, from noon to 9 p.m.
Where: Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
Cost: Free
Details: Celebrate Zephyrhills’ festivities on Leap Day with live music, food and prizes.
Info: For vendor or sponsor information, contact Leesa Fryer at (727) 845-5707 or email . For additional information, visit Gulfside.org.

Published February 12, 2020