The Laker/Lutz News

Hillbilly Farms

Pasco County celebrates economic successes

By

Despite unanticipated challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, Pasco County still had much to celebrate in terms of growth, tourism and economic development.

That was the primary theme of “TeamUp! Building a Strong Economy Together,” an event hosted by Experience Florida’s Sports Coast (FSC) and Pasco Economic Development Council — two marketing organizations charged with driving the success of the county’s economy.

The May 6 event was held at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, with 175 socially distanced guests attending in person, and others taking part remotely.

Various awards were presented during the TeamUp! event. Congressman Gus Bilirakis, third from left, was the recipient of the Experience Florida’s Sports Coast Chairman’s Choice Awards, for his efforts in boosting tourism in the region and state of Florida. Also pictured, from left: Pasco EDC president/CEO Bill Cronin, Experience Florida’s Sports Coast tourism director Adam Thomas, and Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore. (Courtesy of Experience Florida’s Sports Coast Office of Tourism Development)

The evening ceremony highlighted accomplishments of both marketing organizations,  corporate businesses, entrepreneurs, hoteliers, attraction partners and restaurateurs.

The idea for the special gala was spurred from a conversation between Pasco EDC president and CEO Bill Cronin and FSC tourism director Adam Thomas, regarding the economic struggles both corporate businesses and tourism industry partners had faced in the previous year because of COVID-19.

Blending the two brands, TeamUp! featured a figure skating showcase, networking hour, awards dinner and joint economic presentation fronted by Cronin and Thomas, along with other speakers.

Also, FSC and Pasco EDC screened their first collaborative video showcasing Pasco as an attractive place to live, work and play.

The six-minute video takes a bird’s eye and grounded tour around the county, stopping at popular destinations while delving into specific need-to-know information for those looking to relocate their businesses, travel to the destination, or host a conference or event in the area.

Recognizing excellence
Various awards were bestowed, as well, honoring those who have made a lasting impression on the county’s diverse and growing economy:

Experience Florida’s Sports Coast Awards

  • Chairman’s Choice Award: Congressman Gus Bilirakis
  • Lodging Partner of the Year: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Tampa-Suncoast Parkway
  • Tourism Legacy Award: Thomas Dempsey, founder of Saddlebrook Resort & Spa

Pasco EDC Awards

  • Leadership Award: Dr. Arthur Kirk Jr., president emeritus of Saint Leo University
  • Recruitment Project of the Year: Santander Consumer USA
  • Expansion Project of the Year: The Soule Co.

The evening concluded with a special keynote address by Mike Rayburn, who blended comedy, music and thought-provoking messaging — while sharing his story of going from playing guitar for seven people in a bar in Virginia to playing in Carnegie Hall.

New companies, new jobs
Speaking from a well-lit, lifted stage, Cronin detailed how area economic development efforts emerged strong even during 2020’s trials and tribulations.

This included welcoming $104 million in new capital investment and 15 new company projects adding more than 1,400 direct jobs.

In fact, Cronin said these figures yielded the private, nonprofit organization’s “best year so far, for investment and job creation in Pasco County.”

The Pasco EDC’s ongoing efforts required creativity and adaptations to get work done, given various limitations brought about by COVID-19, Cronin explained from the luminated dais.

“The pandemic pushed us all to find new methods to manage old routines,” he said.

“Economic development was no different, and I’m proud to say that our team at the Pasco EDC rose to the challenge and found innovative ways to bring new investment and new jobs to the county.

“Like so many other businesses, we turned to virtual platforms to accomplish things that we could no longer do in person. We hosted site visits, business workshops and special events, all virtually.”

Cronin highlighted other economic-related marks from the past year, including the opening of Pasco EDC’s third small business incubator location — SMARTstart Grove Entrepreneur Center in Wesley Chapel — designed to help entrepreneurs expand their business and turn ideas into realities.

Interestingly enough, desserts prepared for the event were concocted by a trio of SMARTstart restaurant entrepreneur members and alums — Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread in Dade City; Sweet Luminous Bakery in Dade City; and, Hillbilly Farms in Dade City.

Cronin also mentioned how the Pasco EDC partnered with Pasco County government to provide emergency relief to more than 1,200 small businesses struggling to meet the demands the pandemic placed on them.

“Despite the challenges that 2020 presented,” Cronin said, “we kept moving forward.”

Tourism on the rebound?
Likewise speaking to the sizable crowd, Thomas acknowledged Pasco’s tourism “took a hit” from the pandemic, and remains in recovery mode.

However, the county’s tourism brand leader presented a mostly upbeat outlook for 2021 — noting visitor numbers steadily increasing the second half of this year and beyond.

“After a year of strict restrictions, people are itching to get back on the road and back in the air,” said Thomas, also quick to point out tourism industry analysts reporting that nearly 80% of Americans are dreaming of or planning to travel this year.

Thomas added the CDC’s recent guidance indicating vaccinated individuals can now safely travel without risking their health brings “another encouraging sign from our tourism industry for the second half of this year.”

Though the pandemic put a dent into some of Pasco’s original grandiose tourism plans and projections for most of 2020, there were some wins from the prior year.

Among other entertainment venues, shopping and hotels coming online, Thomas in particular highlighted the opening of the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center in Zephyrhills; AdventHealth Sports Arena at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, in Wesley Chapel; and Widow Fletcher’s, a new waterfront restaurant in New Port Richey.

Thomas told the audience how FSC remained aggressive following the pandemic’s initial scare.

It was one of the first tourism agencies in the state to return to marketing after what Thomas labeled “a two-month industry blackout.”

The group ran an outdoor adventure-focused marketing digital campaign promoting the county’s 10-day summer scallop season along the Anclote River.

The campaign resulted in visitation growth of more than 60% and related economic impact, Thomas said.

Pasco, too, was one of Florida’s first to return to hosting sporting events amid the pandemic, Thomas said, with the TORHS 2Hot4Ice roller hockey national championships in July.

The event — with strict pandemic protocols in place — brought together 113 teams who played a staggered schedule over 10 days at AdventHealth Center Ice.

Thomas presented other encouraging tourism-related figures.

More than 25% of county visitors last year were first-timers who plan to return, he said.

Visitor spending was down compared to fiscal year 2019, but tourists still created more than a half-million dollars of economic impact to the county, saving every resident over $260 in their annual taxes, he said.

Though the FSC has mainly focused on youth and amateur sports and outdoor recreational offerings to attract visitation, Thomas indicated the agency next plans to branch into the business meeting marketplace.

The county in October will play host to the inaugural SMERF (Social, Military, Educational, Religious and Fraternal) Express conference — an overnight tourism-based trade show featuring social functions, community service, team building and one-on-one appointments between meeting planners and destination marketing organizations.

And, in January there will be a similar but sports-tourism focused conference called Sports Express-Indoor.

Thomas also discussed how FSC is building on in-state tourism drive markets of Orlando, Miami and Jacksonville, along with out-of-state drive markets of Atlanta and Raleigh-Durham.

The agency also is launching new promotions geared toward people in the New York, New Jersey and the Great Lakes region.

“When they’re ready to travel,” Thomas said, “we’re ready to welcome them.”

The speaker also touted the reach and impact of FSC, which has increased its staffing levels and has received national recognition in the tourism industry for its various campaigns and efforts.

Thomas said: “We focus on telling our community story — the experiences that make Pasco County the best destination in Florida, and the place we all love to call home, whether we’re fishing in the gulf, skydiving in Zephyrhills, or hiking in our nature parks, or playing hockey right here at AdventHealth Center Ice.”

Published June 02, 2021

Pasco Upcycle Festival is eco-friendly

By

Hauling recyclable cans, bottles and paper to the curb is a habit that is second nature to many people who worry about the environment.

But, how about getting creative and upcycling a few items?

Take a pair of jeans and repurpose them as aprons. Or take costume jewelry and fabric scraps, and use them to make bookmarks.

Upcycling is defined as the process of transforming a recyclable item in to a new product of better quality or better environmental value, according to Pasco Upcycle Festival organizers.

Items such as a drawer, forks or wire wisks can be repurposed to make a couch, wall hangers or candle holders. (Photos courtesy of Keep Pasco Beautiful)
Items such as a drawer, forks or wire wisks can be repurposed to make a couch, wall hangers or candle holders.
(Photos courtesy of Keep Pasco Beautiful)

The festival aims to get people as interested in upcycling as they are in recycling.

“What can you do with these items before they ever get to the curb?” asked Kristen King, coordinator for Keep Pasco Beautiful.

The first-time festival will be on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Little Everglades Ranch, at 17951 Hamilton Road in Dade City. About 2,500 people are expected to attend.

There is no admission charge, but there will be a $5 parking fee collected by the venue to offset some of its costs.

As a first time event, there will be no fees collected from vendors. More environmentally friendly vendors are being sought, including those with fresh produce typically sold at farmers’ markets.

The festival will feature numerous upcycle vendors, including makers of pallet furniture and jewelry from recycled household items.

Vendors also will sell items such as homemade soaps and pepper jellies.

Many individual vendors who upcycle as a hobby will offer items including bracelets and pendants from utensils, or aprons made from jeans.

A hands-on demonstration will show children how to make bookmarks from recyclable items around the house.

Food trucks, including Hillbilly Farms and Philou’s Cajun on the Geaux, will be on site.

Bluegrass bands, the Michigan Misfits and Mean Mary, will provide entertainment.

drawer rgb“We are so excited to launch this new event,” King said, in a press release announcing the festival. “It gives us the opportunity to show individuals how they can not only reduce their waste, but also release their creative genius at the same time.”

Nov. 15 is National America Recycles Day, a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful. Everyone is encouraged to participate in “doing one thing” to recycle and reduce waste.

Event sponsors of Pasco Upcycle Festival are Keep Pasco Beautiful and Pasco County.

Organizers plan to make this festival an annual event.

For more information, email , or call (727) 856-7252.

For more information on Keep Pasco Beautiful, visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org. For information on recycling in Pasco County, visit PascoCountyFL.net.

Published November 4, 2015

More festivals and fun as Halloween approaches

By

Previously, we published a list of up-and-coming Halloween and fall festival events designed to provide plenty of treats (and a few scares) in October.

Those events were fun, but there are others that also deserve attention. So prepare for more games, rides, costumes and maybe a couple of frights over the next couple of weeks.

Trinity Fest

Generations Christian Church, 1540 Little Road in Trinity, will host its “Trinity Fest” Oct. 29 through Nov. 1. The event will include a variety of activities across four days.

On Thursday, the midway carnival will be open from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Rides are $1 each.

On Friday, from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., there will be a food truck rally, a disc jockey, line dancing, a mechanical bull, a rock-climbing wall and free hay rides. There also will be pumpkin decorating and cornhole tournaments. The rides will be open with a $20 wristband allowing unlimited access.

On Saturday, there will be a Generations on the Go 5K and fun run from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., and a business and craft expo from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., there will be dancers, music, a petting zoo and a dominoes tournament. Trunk-or-treating will take place from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., and midway rides with $20 unlimited access will be available from noon until 5 p.m., and again from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

On Sunday, an unlimited wristband will cost $15, and the carnival will be open from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

For more information, call (727) 375-8801 or visit TrinityFest.info. To register for the 5K, visit GenerationsontheGo.org.

A Hillbilly Halloween
Hillbilly Farms, 10325 US Highway 98 in Dade City, will host its fourth annual “Harvest Festival” on Oct. 24. More than 400 people attended last year, and they’re expecting another good turnout.

Children’s activities include bounce houses, mini-train rides and games. There will also be horse riding, face painting and a pumpkin patch.

The Harvest Festival includes an annual pumpkin-painting event, and guests can either purchase a pumpkin on site or bring their own.

The event itself is free and parking is free, but individual activities may incur a separate charge. For $10, parents can purchase a wristband that allows their children to participate in various activities. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase.

The Harvest Festival runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, call (352) 567-7475 or visit the Hillbilly Farms Facebook page.

Macabre Mall on 41
The Haunted House on 41, an annual tradition at Land O’ Lakes Community Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, is back with a shopping mall theme.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Visitors will walk through the room to visit several creepy “shops” full of monsters, blood and assorted Halloween-themed gore. It only takes a couple of minutes to walk through it, but local students put a lot of time into its construction. In the end, they create a creepy attraction that brings in nearly 1,000 visitors each year. And, at a suggested donation of just $1, it’s an affordable fright.

The mall has a sneak preview evening Oct. 22 from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., and is open Oct. 23 and Oc. 24 from 7:30 p.m. until around 10 p.m.

For more information, call (813) 929-1229.

Spooky Tails means treats for K-9 unit
The ninth annual “Spooky Tails” Halloween party and pet costume contest will be on Oct. 24 at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The annual event benefits the Pasco Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.

Previous fundraisers have assisted in the purchase of a bite suit to help train the dogs, and contributed to the K-9 dog retirement fund. The goal for this year’s event is to contribute to the retirement fund and make other purchases the unit needs during the year.

318136_orig rgbFor Gail Cooper, owner of Parwick Kennels and the founder of Spooky Tails, taking care of canines that serve the community is the right thing to do.

“These dogs are these men’s partners. They have each other’s backs, if you will,” she said. “They’re part of the family.”

Ben Pumo, owner of Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano and a supporter of Spooky Tails since its inception, agrees.

“They’re our officers without a voice,” Pumo said. “I think it’s important that the dogs get taken care of after their retirement.”

Pumo expects 40 to 50 dogs in costumes at the event.

Spooky Tails runs from noon until 4 p.m. The pet costume contests will be at 2:30 p.m. There will be more than a dozen vendors at the event, as well as games, music, food, and a special demonstration from the K-9 unit.

For more information, call (813) 480-0811, or visit Pasco-K9-Fundraiser.com.

Published October 21, 2015

 

No tricks, but plenty of free community treats for Halloween

By

Many families will go door-to-door in local neighborhoods searching for candy this Halloween. But if you’d rather do something different — or don’t want to limit the fun to Oct. 31 — there are several public events to enjoy.

Mr. Tommy, right, is a regular at The Shops at Wiregrass annual Halloween event, which will be on Oct. 29 this year. He’ll perform at 10 a.m., and serve as emcee for the costume contest at 11 a.m. (Courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass)
Mr. Tommy, right, is a regular at The Shops at Wiregrass annual Halloween event, which will be on Oct. 29 this year. He’ll perform at 10 a.m., and serve as emcee for the costume contest at 11 a.m. (Courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass)

Several activities — most of them free — occur the weekend before Halloween, while others are scheduled for the week of the holiday, and the rest on Oct. 31.

For families
Halloween Howl in Zephyrhills is an annual free event Oct. 25 along Fifth Avenue from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be a costume parade, a hayride — which costs $2 — and free books for children. There’s also a haunted house at 38533 Fifth Ave., the historic Jeffries House.

The costume parade starts at 6 p.m., near the 7-Eleven on Fifth.

If daytime activities are better for your schedule, Hillbilly Farms at 10325 U.S. 98 in Dade City, will host its annual Harvest Festival Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hayrides, horseback rides, face painting, pumpkin painting and train rides on the Woodland Express all are on the agenda.

Food and other vendors also will be available.

If you’re looking for something on a weekday morning, The Shops At Wiregrass at 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel will have a Halloween event Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon in its parking structure.

Around 400 children are expected to attend, with gift bags ready for each of them.

Debbie Detweiler, The Shops’ marketing director, said the shopping location enjoys putting something special on each year that attracts so many people.

“It’s just a great opportunity for us to be able to give back to the community and provide free entertainment for families,” she said.

That free entertainment includes cookie decorating, balloon art, face painting, crafts and a photo booth. There will also be a costume contest for children 11 and younger benefiting the American Cancer Society, with the winner receiving a family four-pack to Legoland.

The cost is $15 until the day of the contest, and $20 on the day of the event.

Registrations must be completed by Oct. 29 at 10:30 a.m. To register in advance, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com.

For pets
Your four-legged friends can participate in the Halloween fun with Spooky Tails on Oct. 25, an annual event at Parwick Kennels, 22129 Carson Road in Land O’ Lakes.

Starting at noon, children can enjoy pony rides and face painting, with a police dog demonstration at 1:30 p.m.

But it’s the pets that go all out for the event, with a costume contest that begins at 2:30 p.m. Each entry gets a free pumpkin and the winner receives $200.

Local business booths, raffles and live music round out the information and entertainment.

While it’s a fun Halloween-themed event, it’s also a fundraiser to help pay the bills for police dogs when they retire from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. It also helps pay for equipment and other supplies for the K-9 Unit.

In the past, Spooky Tails has helped pay for a bite suit, which is used in K-9 training drills.

For more information about the event, call (813) 949-1687, or visit ParwickKennels.com.

Halloween alternatives
If your family doesn’t celebrate Halloween, or you’d prefer to participate in a faith-based setting, there’s fall fun on your schedule, too. Several churches are hosting events on or around Halloween.

On Oct. 31, Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, 2017 Reigler Road in Land O’ Lakes, will hold a Trunk-A-Treat celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free, and includes games, face painting, balloons and candy.

That same evening, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will host its Trunk or Treat event from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Children will go from car to car — with their trunks and tailgates open — in the church’s parking lot to collect candy and other treats in this family-friendly environment.

Also on Oct. 31, Idlewild Baptist Church, 18333 Exciting Idlewild in Lutz, will have its Light the Night event from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. No costumes are allowed, but there will be games, a hayride and inflatables.

The cost is $3 per person or $15 per family, with children under 2 admitted free.

Published October 22, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here