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Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Bay Area Renaissance Festival

Suncoast Arts Fest getting ready for really, really big show

January 17, 2018 By B.C. Manion

Fine Arts of the Suncoast Inc., is getting ready for this 13th annual Suncoast Arts Fest — featuring 110 artists from across the country and Canada.

Photographer Thomas Styczynski is from Santa Barbara, California. (Courtesy of Jennifer Douglas, Suncoast Arts Fest festival manager)

The event, held at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, is scheduled for Jan. 20 and Jan. 21.

When the weather is good, the two-day event has drawn up to 80,000 visitors, said Jennifer Douglas, the festival manager.

She noted that “the quality of the art continues to grow, along with the reputation of the festival.”

The festival manager added that she’s “particularly proud of the live entertainment we’ve lined up for the Mainstage.

“I think our visitors will be blown away by the talent and diversity featured this year,” Douglas said.

Beyond a wide array of art to see and purchase, the free public event also offers live entertainment, chalk art murals, kids’ art projects and other highlights.

Mr. Harley will be providing an interactive show for children during the Suncoast Arts Fest, being held this weekend at The Shops at Wiregrass. He is slated to perform on Jan. 21.

Artists must compete for a place in the show, and this year there were 166 applicants vying for a spot. Categories at the show include ceramics/clay, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.

The juried arts competition will award $14,000 in cash prizes.

Live entertainment will be featured on the Mainstage at Center Court, located at the festival midpoint across from Macy’s.

The festival will kick off on Jan. 20 with performances by The Richey Suncoast Kid’s Theatre and The Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble.

At noon, Gypsy Wind, will share its unique blend of bluegrass, folk and old jazz favorites. Other performers in the afternoon will include The Frankie Raye Trio, and at 3:40 p.m., headliners Violectric, with its passionate fusion of classical string instruments and cutting-edge technology and effects.

Glass artist Rollin Karg is from Kechi, Kansas.

As the current Artists-in-Residence at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Violectric has opened for Sting, Adam Levine, Ne-Yo, David Foster, Kristen Chenoweth, Katherine McPhee, Sia, Twenty-One Pilots, Rascal Flatts, and Huey Lewis and the News.

On Jan. 21, Suncoast Arts Fest radio sponsor, WGHR Hits 106, will be broadcasting live with performances on the Mainstage by children’s musician, Mr. Harley; followed by classical world guitarist Nikola Baltic, and Pasco favorites Barefoot Bob and the Hope. Tampa blues legend Sarasota Slim will close out the festival.

The event also has plenty of activities for kids.

The Kids’ Art Garden, presented by Suncoast Credit Union, has free Picasso-themed art projects, face painting and a scavenger hunt.

The Art Makerspace, sponsored by Chasco Middle School, will demonstrate its mobile 3D printer, and the festival’s Emerging Artist Exhibit will be back, featuring the talent of Pasco County elementary, middle and high school students.

This drawing is by artist Marie Rust, of Bitely, Michigan.

Other highlights will include chalk artists and strolling entertainment by the Bay Area Renaissance Festival.

Suncoast Arts Fest is produced by Fine Arts of the Suncoast Inc., a charitable organization dedicated to developing a community culture that embraces the arts.

All proceeds from the Suncoast Arts Fest benefit “Arts for Education,” a grant fund created by the festival’s parent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Fine Arts of the Suncoast Inc. This mini-grant program provides project support to supplement arts education funding in public, private and charter schools in Pasco County.

In 2017, more than $6,000 in mini-grants was awarded, bringing the grand total distributed to nearly $100,000 since the organization’s inception.

Suncoast Arts Fest
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass
When: Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Jan. 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free admission and parking
Details: A juried show featuring works by 110 fine arts and crafts artists from across the nation and Canada. The event also features live entertainment and children’s activities.
Info: SuncoastArtsFest.com

Published January 17, 2018

Filed Under: Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Barefoot Bob, Bay Area Renaissance Festival, Chasco Middle School, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Fine Arts of the Suncoast Inc., Gypsy Wind, Jennifer Douglas, Macy's, Nikola Baltic, Sarasota Slim, Suncoast Arts Fest, Suncoast Credit Union, The Frankie Raye Trio, The Richey Suncoast Kid's Theatre, The Shops at Wiregrass, The Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble, Violectric, Wesley Chapel, WGHR Hits 106

Turning back the clock to the 16th century

March 29, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

Every year, tens of thousands of people get a chance to transport themselves into the past and escape from the real world at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival.

A knight and rook battle it out on a large chess board during one of the human chess match events at MOSI’s Renaissance Festival.
(Fred Bellet)

Now entering its 39th season, the annual festival attracts about 80,000 people a year, according to the festival’s website.

Set in 1524 in the fictional English town of Fittleworth, the seven-week long Tampa festival creates a captivating medieval adventure, with no shortage of sights and spectacles.

From re-enactments of King Henry VIII and Queen Catherine Parr, there’s a litany of characters — peasants, gypsies and fairies — all of which never stray from using English accents.
At every turn, the festival offers amusement for children and adults, alike.

Besides an eclectic blend of renaissance-style mimes and madrigals, there’s archery contests, live-armored jousting and elephant rides.

Dawn Boone of Riverview uses her phone to capture the king and queen’s entrance into the Renaissance Festival grounds.

With modest beginnings in Largo, the jubilee relocated to Tampa in 2004, adjacent to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), at 11315 North 46th St.

To accommodate its cult following and ever-growing demand, the festival expanded to seven weekends long.

Each weekend has a distinctive motif.

The weekend of March 18, for instance, was titled Shamrocks & Shenanigans, an ode to St. Patrick’s Day.

Festival Friday kicks off the final weekend, starting March 31.

That is followed by the pirate-themed High Seas Adventures, on April 1 and April 2.

Its attractions include a pirate costume contest, tattoo competition and pirate peg leg relay race.

For thousands of festivalgoers each year, dressing up in diverse medieval garb is a significant aspect of the event’s charm.

So, too, is meeting like-minded people with similar interests in renaissance culture.

Lutz residents, Scott Dorman, left, and his 8-year-old son, Nathan, portrayed members of a Scottish Clan, wearing a McLeod kilt and carrying hardwood walking sticks. Like father, like son, the two have attended every weekend of the event for the past three seasons. Nathan hopes to participate at the event as a re-enactor, someday.

“It’s fun. You get to know the people — the repeats,” said Niko Alissandratos, of Tarpon Springs, who was sporting Vulcan ears and a vintage drinking horn during the March 18 weekend.

Another patron, Alicia Askey, makes it a point to drive down from Ocala each year to attend the festival with her husband, Stephen.

Besides the varied food and entertainment offerings, she enjoys the ability to express herself, this year portraying an Anglo-Saxon from the 12th century.

“I like being able to dress up,” Askey said, “and no one looks at you funny.”

The same mindset can be applied to Lutz resident Scott Dorman, and his 8-year old son, Nathan.

Both portrayed members of a Scottish clan, wearing a MacLeod kilt and toting hardwood walking sticks.

Matching outfits aside, the festival’s choreographed human combat chess match is one reason the father and son have attended the show three years running.

Dorman, who grew up playing Dungeons and Dragons as a youth, said he enjoys “everything” about Bay Area Renaissance Festival.
“It’s just a lot of fun,” Dorman said. “Each year we come a little more often and get more into it.”

The Renaissance Festival appears to be a hit among vendors, too.

Queen Katherine Parr, portrayed by Catherine Jett, of Tampa, enters the staging area to watch the human chess match.

Amanda Stevens is the owner and operator of Krakens Chest, which produces on-site pirate rings and other jewelry.

Part of the festival’s appeal, Stevens said, is its leniency in portrayals from the entirety of renaissance period, which spans from the 14th century to the 17th century.

Unlike some other medieval-themed festivals, she values the ability to roam as any character, may it be a knight, a pirate, or a Greek warrior.

“I think a lot of people like this festival,” Stevens said, “because it’s not strict.”

“It’s more like a giant convention,” she added, “because you see people dressed up as everything here.”

A regular since the event’s Largo days, Stevens noted the renaissance festival does have a “different feel” since it moved to Tampa.

Nearby traffic on Fowler Avenue and other urban noises, she explained, can sometimes disrupt the festival’s ambiance, contrary to the wide-open, rural setting in Largo.

“You felt like you were transported back in time,” said Stevens, referring to the festival venue in Largo. “It was in the backwoods and you had to walk like half a mile to get to the (entrance) gate, so you really felt like you were in the Renaissance period.”

Fourteen-year old Marina Khimko, of Brooksville, who because of a rare birth defect lives life from a wheelchair, was overwhelmed when the re-enactors presented her with a Shakespearean-period, purple velvet dress with gold-braiding. She was there with her mom, Rebecca Smith, of Brooksville.

The proximity to the bustling Fowler roads, however, doesn’t disrupt the experience for Cat Desharnais, one of Stevens’ co-workers.

To her, it’s still a “getaway” from everyday life.

“I love it. It’s a fun time to be artistic and creative,” said Desharnais, of Tampa. “I meet a lot of crafty people and mobile artists; it’s very nice.”

For pop culture junkies, the festival incorporates some elements from Game of Thrones, the hit HBO television series.

Desharnais noted several attendees in recent years have dressed up as various characters from the show: “You’ll find a dozen Khaleesis just walking around.”

One of the best moments during the festival’s March 18 offerings came during opening ceremonies, when re-enactors presented a Shakespearean-style purple velvet dress to Marina Khimko, a 14-year-old who lives from a wheelchair because of a rare birth defect.

As the teenager from Brooksville, smiled ear-to-ear, her mother, Rebecca Smith, said described the gesture as being “spectacular.”

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival kicks off its final weekend on March 31 and concludes on April 2. For information, visit BayAreaRenFest.com. The popular seven-weekend long event is at MOSI, 11315 North 46th St., near the University of South Florida.

Published March 29, 2017

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Alicia Askey, Amanda Stevens, Bay Area Renaissance Festival, Cat Desharnais, Dungeons and Dragons, Fowler Avenue, Game of Thrones, King Henry VIII, Krakens Chest, Marina Khimko, MOSI, Museum of Science and Industry, Nko Alissandratos, North 46th Street, Queen Catherine Parr, Rebecca Smith

Festival features arts, entertainment and fun

January 18, 2017 By B.C. Manion

The Suncoast Arts Fest, which attracts artists and art lovers from near and far, will stage its 12th annual event at The Shops at Wiregrass on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22.

The festival will showcase 126 artists coming from nearby communities, and from as far away as Alaska, California, Quebec and Tennessee.

This ceramic work was created by Patrick Dragon, one of the artists who will be taking part in this year’s Suncoast Arts Fest, at The Shops of Wiregrass, Jan. 21 and Jan. 22. (Courtesy of Suncoast Arts Fest)

Artists and craftsman must compete to gain entry into the show, and this year’s exhibitors were selected from a field of 170 applicants.

The artists represent a wide array of categories, including ceramics/clay, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.

They will compete for $14,000 in cash prizes.

The festival is a popular event in Wesley Chapel, drawing as many as 95,000 visitors when the weather is nice, according to Jennifer Douglas, festival manager.

Festival-goers also will be able to enjoy live entertainment.

On Jan. 21, The Richey Suncoast Kid’s Theatre and The Eighth Note, a children’s a capella group, will kick off the festival. The lineup that day also includes Sassafras Bluegrass Band, When in Rome and Hope Darling Band.

The lineup on Jan. 22 includes John Emil, The De Lei’ed Parrots and Sarasota Slim.

Ed Myers, a digital artist, is among 126 artists accepted into the 12th annual Suncoast Arts Fest.

Other highlights will include a performance by the Brandon Ballet on Jan. 22, and roving performers from the Bay Area Renaissance Festival on both days.

There will be lots of stuff for the kids to do, too.

The Kids’ Art Garden, presented by Suncoast Credit Union, will feature free art projects, a scavenger hunt through the festival and face painting. The Art Makerspace allow will have projects and activities for people of all ages.

Other event features include professional chalk art, custom silk-screened T-shirts and a student Emerging Artist exhibit, featuring works by Pasco County elementary, middle and high school students.

The Suncoast Arts Fest benefits “Arts for Kids,” a mini-grant program, which provides supplemental arts education funding in public, private and charter schools in Pasco County.

For a full entertainment schedule, visit SuncoastArtsFest.com.

Suncoast Arts Fest
When:
Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, at the intersection of State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Wesley Chapel
How much: Free admission and parking.
Details: Arts festival showcases 126 craftsman and artists in categories including ceramics/clay, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood. Event also includes live entertainment, chalk art murals, kids’ arts areas, and other activities.

Published January 18, 2017

 

 

Filed Under: Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Arts for Kids, Bay Area Renaissance Festival, Brandon Ballet, Hope Darling Band, Jennifer Douglas, John Emil, Sarasota Slim, Sassafras Bluegrass Band, Suncoast Arts Fest, Suncoast Credit Union, The De Lei'ed Parrots, The Eighth Note, The Richey Suncoast Kid's Theatre, The Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel, When in Rome

Resolve to have fun in 2017

January 4, 2017 By B.C. Manion

Maybe 2017 is the year that you’re going to have more fun.

But, perhaps you want to improve planning your activities, and to get a better handle on your spending, too.

The Laker/Lutz News is here to help.

Whether you’re new to area, or have lived here for decades, this guide is intended to help you plan fun activities for you and your family, without breaking the bank.

January
Raising Cane, a sweet & spicy event
When:
Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
How much: Admission: $5 per person
Details: Cane syrup making, cane syrup competition, chili cook-off, salsa competition, greased pole climbing, iron skillet toss, entertainment and vendors

This blues band is keeping the crowd entertained at the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues fest. (File Photos)

Seventh annual Pigs in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues
When:
Jan 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 5200 Airport Road, at the new community venue
How much: Free admission; $10 parking
Details: Mouth-watering barbecue, blues music, classic car show, aircraft displays, World War II museum, beer and wine, gift vendors, business showcase, kids zone and more
For information, call (813) 782-1913, or visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org.

 

12th annual Suncoast Arts Fest
When:
Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Jan. 22, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
How much: Free admission and parking
Details: More than 125 fine artists and craftsmen; live entertainment; emerging artist booth, featuring work of area middle and high school students; street painting; roaming entertainers; and, free art projects for the kids

Dade City’s annual Kumquat Festival
When:
Jan. 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Dade City
How much: Admission and parking are free; free shuttles for satellite lots
What: Local entertainment, antique cars, arts and crafts, activities for kids, vendors, health and wellness, kumquat pies, kumquat products, quilt challenge and more
Several events are held leading up to the festival, visit DadeCityChamber.org for information.

February
Farm Fest & Quilt Show
When:
Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Feb. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Florida Pioneer Museum & Village,15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
How much: $10 per day, or $15 for both days.
What: Draft horse pull on Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Bring your own lawn chair, limited seating); quilt show, activities, music and more
For information, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Florida Ranch Days
When:
Feb. 11 and Feb. 12
Where: Little Everglades Ranch, 17951 Hamilton Road, Dade City
How much: Free admission; parking, $10 for cars and $25 for RVs
Details: Live entertainment on multiple stages; guided ranch tours on hay wagons; swamp buggy rides; trading post; food roundup; children’s area; and more
For information, visit RanchDays.com.

Third annual Snowbird Palooza
When:
Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
How much: Free parking and free admission
Details: Entertainment, speakers, coffee and donuts social, Bingo tent, live magician, art classes and more
For information, email .s.

Pasco County Fair
When:
Feb. 20 to Feb. 26
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City
Details: Midway, fair food, entertainment, competitions
For a schedule of events, admission charge and other information, visit PascoCountyFair.com.

March
Flea Market at the Old Lutz School
When:
March 3 and March 4
Where: The Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 N.
How much: Admission is free.
Details: Thousands of items for sale to generate funds for causes supported by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Second annual Land O’ Lakes Music Fest
When:
March 11, noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
How much: Early bird $10 general admission, $15 at the gate; Early bird $25 reserved seating, $30 at the gate; $5 parking.
Details: Live music, car show, bounce houses, obstacle course, video games, food and drink vendors, business and arts & crafts showcase. No outside food or coolers allowed. Event will be held, rain or shine.

Founders’ Day Parade in Zephyrhills
When:
March 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Main Street Zephyrhills District
How much: Free admission
Details: A parade to celebrate Founders’ Day in Zephyrhills. This year’s theme is classic board games.
For information, visit MSZI.org.

Savage Race
When:
March 18 and March 19
Where: 17951 Hamilton Road, Dade City
Details: Twenty-five obstacles, mud in your underwear, chip timing, T-shirt, beer, action photos, camaraderie, memories
For information, visit SavageRace.com.

Dogs Day in Dade City
When:
March 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Agnes Lamb Park, in downtown Dade City
Details: Dog wagon parade, dog costume contest, canine got talent, ice cream/yogurt eating contest and more

Zephyrhills Pie Festival
When:
March 25, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
How much: Free admission and parking; $10 all-you-can-eat pie buffet, from noon until 3 p.m.
Details: Pie bakers and vendors, slices of pie and whole pies for sale; pie-eating contests, a pie buffet, local business showcase, kids’ area, DJ entertainment and other activities

Gran Fondo Florida
When:
March 26, start time 8 a.m.
Where: San Antonio
Details: Bicycle road race through the rolling hills of Dade City and San Antonio. Cyclists can choose to ride three distances: 30 miles, 60 miles or 100 miles, and are timed on certain stretches of the race.For information, visit GranFondoNationalChampionshipSeries.com.

April
Jelly Bean Fling
When:
April 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Details: Easter bunny, Easter bonnet parade, egg hunt, face painting, bounce house and more
For information, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Easter Sunrise Service
Where:
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills
When: April 16, 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.
How much: Free admission
Details: Live Christian music, an inspirational message, a live dove release and free refreshments. Seating is limited and lawn chairs are encouraged.

 

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel Boat Show
When:
April 21 to April 23
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
For information, visit TheShopsatWiregrass.com.

June
Third Annual Zephyrhills SummerFest
Where:
Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
When: June 24, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
How much: Free admission, free parking
Details: Live entertainment; bounce houses, slides, a rock wall, trampoline and other kids’ activities; vendor village of arts & crafters; pet friendly; fireworks at sunset
For information, contact .

July
What:
Lutz Fourth of July
When: July 4, parade starts at 10 a.m. (There’s a race and other festivities before and after the parade). More details will be available closer to the event.
Where: Downtown Lutz, near the Train Depot
How much: Admission and parking are free.

November
29th annual Florida Bug Jam
When:
Nov. 11 and Nov. 12
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City
For details, visit FloridaBugJam.com.

 

 

 

December
Lutz Arts & Crafts Show
When:
Dec. 2 and Dec. 3|
Where: Keystone Preparatory High School, 18105 Gunn Highway in Odessa
Details: Hundreds of arts and crafts vendors and food booths in an annual show that draws tens of thousands of shoppers

Christmas in the Park
When:
Traditionally held on the first Sunday in December
Where: City Park, 12202 Main St., in downtown San Antonio
How much: Free admission, free refreshments
Details: Annual lighting of giant Christmas cards, old-fashioned carol singing and other nostalgic touches.

Tampa Tour de Clay
When:
Dec. 9 and Dec. 10
Where: Stops at area pottery studios
How much: The tour is free.
Details: Those making the tour will have the chance to watch kiln openings, talk with nationally known ceramic artists and perhaps do a bit of shopping.
For details, visit TampaTourDeClay.com.

Church Street Christmas
When:
Traditionally held on select dates in December
Where: Historic Church Avenue in Dade City
How much: Admission is free
Details: Enjoy carolers, musicians and other entertainers along a street where the sidewalks are lit by luminaries and the houses are brilliantly decorated.

Old Lutz School Christmas House
When:
Traditionally held on select dates in December
Where: 18819 U.S. 41 N.
How much: Free admission; donations of toys and nonperishable foods are encouraged
For details, visit OldLutzSchool.com.

Festival of Lights on Main Street
When:
Traditionally held on the first Saturday in December
Where: On Fifth Avenue, from Seventh to 10th streets in downtown Zephyrhills
How much: Admission is free
Details: The event includes food, entertainment, holiday activities and a Christmas parade.

REGIONAL EVENTS
These events are beyond The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, but may be of interest to our readers.

Gasparilla Parade of Pirates
When:
Jan. 28, 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: The parade goes from Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards, and continues on a route through downtown Tampa, ending at Cass Street and Ashely Drive. (People begin gathering hours before the parade begins; parking can be difficult to find).
Details: The parade includes 130 units, including floats, marching bands, pirates and more.

Florida State Fair
When:
Feb. 9 through Feb. 20
Where: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N.
Details: Fair foods, midway, entertainment, competitions
For information, visit FloridaStateFair.com.

Bay Area Renaissance Festival
When:
Weekends, Feb. 18 through April 2
Where: 11315 N. 46th St., Tampa
How much: $17.95 adults, $9.95 children; free parking
Details: Step back to medieval times, with live jousting, and old time foods and shops.
For information, visit BayAreaRenFest.com.

Strawberry Festival
When:
March 2 through March 12
Where: 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City
Details: Strawberry shortcake, entertainment, festival rides, contests, fair foods, competitions and more.
For information, visit FlStrawberryFestival.com.

Chasco Fiesta
When:
March 24 through April 1
Where: Downtown New Port Richey
Details: Chasco Fiesta is a nine-day festival with events ranging from a Native American Pow Wow, to a street parade, to a boat parade to shows, a carnival, a fiesta and more.
For information, visit ChascoFiesta.com.

Florida Blueberry Festival
When
: April 22, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and April 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Historic downtown Brooksville
How much: $10 for adults (over 18); $5 for ages 13 to 17; free for those 12 and under; $5 in designated parking areas. The event is pet friendly.
Details: Entertainment, fresh blueberries, kids zone, arts and crafts, beer, wine, food and more
For information, visit FloridaBlueberryFestival.org.

Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races
When:
April 29, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Contachobee Fort Brooke Park, 601 Old Water St., Tampa Bay
Details: Rowing teams compete
For information, visit PanamDragonBoat.com, and click on “Events.”

GeckoFest
When:
Sept. 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 3101 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport
Details: The theme of the 17th annual GeckoFest will be Geckostock, a celebration of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, as was hippies and the “Peace and Love” generation.

Published January 4, 2017

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: 46th Street, Agnes Lamb Park, Airport Road, Ashley Drive, Bay Area Renaissance Festival, Bay to Bay Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Beach Boulevard, Brooksville, Cass Street, Chasco Fiesta, Christmas in the Park, Church Avenue, Church Street Christmas, City Park, Contachobee Fort Brooke Park, Dade City, Dogs Day, Farm Fest & Quilt Show, Festival of Lights, Fifth Avenue, Florida Blueberry Festival, Florida Bug Jam, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Florida Ranch Days, Florida State Fair, Florida State Fairgrounds, Founders' Day Parade, Gall Boulevard, Gasparilla Parade of Pirates, GeckoFest, Gran Fondo Florida, Gulfport, Gunn Highway, Hamilton Road, Jelly Bean Fling, Keystone Preparatory School, Kumquat Festival, Land O' Lakes, Land O' Lakes Boulevard, Land O' Lakes Community Center, Lemon Street, Little Everglades Ranch, Lutz Arts & Crafts Show, Main Street, Main Street Zephyrhills, New Port Richey, Odessa, Old Lutz School, Old Water Street, Pasco County Fair, Pasco County Fairgrounds, Paseo Drive, Pigs in Z'Hills BBQ & Blues, Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, Pioneer Museum Road, Plant City, Raising Cane, San Antonio, Savage Race, Seventh Street, Snowbird Palooza, State Road 52, Strawberry Festival, Suncoast Arts Fest, Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races, Tampa Tour De Clay, Tenth Street, The Shops at Wiregrass, U.S. 301, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Boat Show, Zephyr Park, Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills Pie Festival, Zephyrhills SummerFest

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The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer “Foodie Feast: Apple Pie Bombs” on March 5. Participants can learn how to make tasty, apple pie bombs. Watch the prerecorded video between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., online at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

03/06/2021 – Pancakes and trains

The Grand Concourse Railroad, 11919 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills, will offer a Pancake Breakfast and Unlimited Train Rides event on March 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for kids. For information, visit Grand Concourse Railroad on Facebook. … [Read More...] about 03/06/2021 – Pancakes and trains

03/08/2021 – Tomato garden

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a video on how to grow a tomato garden. Those interested can view the video at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary, all day, on March 8. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email . … [Read More...] about 03/08/2021 – Tomato garden

03/09/2021 – Grilled cheese

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a video on how to make green grilled cheese on March 9 at 4:30 p.m., for grades four to seven. To view the video, visit the Library Cooperative on Facebook or Instagram. … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Grilled cheese

03/09/2021 – Poetry discussion

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a virtual poetry discussion group on “Female Power!” on March 9 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 16 and older, via Zoom. Participants can share a favorite poem or take part in discussions on poems about women or written by women poets. Themed poems will be sent out to help with the session. Registration is required. For information, contact Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020 or . … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Poetry discussion

03/09/2021 – Technology Tuesday

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a Technology Tuesday: Robots & Machines on March 9, through a curbside pickup activity. The kit will help kids learn more about technology, from robots to coding, through online and hands-on activities. The pickup is limited to 35 participants and must be reserved ahead of time. A book bundle can be included. Kits must be picked up between March 9 at 10 a.m., and March 13 at 5 p.m. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Technology Tuesday

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Solution to Land O’ Lakes traffic jams still years away, if then

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Local Jewish temple gifted Torah

Save money, get back behind the wheel

Pasco County Fair lives up to its billing

Meals on Wheels looks to expand

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