Part of the secret to having fun is knowing where to find it.
And, then once you have figured out some options, it’s good to know early enough so you can do what you need to do, to maximize your enjoyment.
That’s the idea behind this master calendar: It’s a list of fun stuff to do in 2018 — giving readers plenty of time to consider their choices and make some plans.
So, as New Year gets underway, get ready to enjoy yourselves.
January
Raising Cane, a sweet & spicy event
When: Jan. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Cost: $5 per person, children under 5 free
Details: Syrup-tasting contest; cane grinding; sugar cane pole tossin’; iron skillet tossin’; chili cook-off, chili verde and salsa competition; entertainment; and, vendors
Eighth annual Pigz in Z’ Hills BBQ & Blues
When: Jan 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Zephyrhills Community Venue, 5200 Airport Road
Cost: Free admission; $10 parking. Benefiting local youth and education programs.
Details: Mouth-watering barbecue, blues music, swine and shine car show, aircraft displays, World War II museum, beer and wine, gift vendors, business expo, kids zone and more. No coolers, limited seating, so bring chairs.
Information: Call (813) 782-1913, or visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org.
13th annual Suncoast Arts Fest
When: Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Jan. 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
Cost: 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; kids arts garden and maker space, and more
Dade City’s annual Kumquat Festival
When: Jan. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Dade City
Cost: Admission and parking are free; free shuttles for satellite lots
Details: 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.
Information: DadeCityChamber.org
Shabby Chic Vintage Market & Artisan Day
When: Jan. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
Cost: Free admission and parking
Details: Artisans, live music, original art, painted furniture, antique vendors, shabby style and cottage glam
February
Farm Fest & Quilt Show
When: Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Feb. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Florida Pioneer Museum & Village,15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Cost: $10 for adults on Feb. 3; $5 for adults on Feb. 4; $5 for children ages 6 through 12 either day; free for children age 5 and under
Details: Southern Draft Horse Pulling Competition on Feb. 3 at noon; Hoffman Challenge Quilt Collection Show of Quilts and Clothing; Quilt Appraisal and Trunk Show, concessions and food trucks, antique car show, children’s activities, live entertainment on Feb. 4. (Limited seating, lawn chairs welcome for horse pull).
Information: PioneerFloridaMuseum.org
Florida Ranch Days
When: Feb. 10 and Feb. 11
Where: Little Everglades Ranch, 17951 Hamilton Road (U.S. 301 and Gould Road), Dade City
Cost: Free admission; parking, $10 for cars and $25 for RVs
Details: Live entertainment on two stages; strolling performers; swamp buggy rides; guided ranch tours; face painting; petting farm; games and rides; arts and crafts; food and drink
Information: RanchDays.com
Fourth annual Snowbird Palooza
When: Feb. 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
Cost: Free parking and free admission
Details: Free coffee and doughnut mingle hour, fun family activities, free health checks, card games and tournaments, live entertainment and other activities.
Pasco County Fair
When: Feb. 19 to Feb. 25
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City
Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 6 through 12; free for children age 5 and under
Details: Midway, fair food, entertainment, competitions
Information and schedule: PascoCountyFair.com
Living History and Civil War
When: Feb. 24 and Feb. 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village,15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Cost: $5 admission, children age 5 and under are free
Details: Civil War Reenactments and Living History Encampment. Visitors can tour authentic confederate and union camps, and get a glimpse of what life was like during the U.S. Civil War. There will be battles each day at 2 p.m.
March
Big Flea Market at the Old Lutz School
When: March 2 and March 3, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: The Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 N.
Cost: Free admission
Details: Thousands of items for sale to generate funds for causes supported by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club
108th Founders’ Day Parade & Heritage Festival
When: March 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (historic downtown Zephyrhills), parade begins at 10 a.m.
Details: Moonshine, Turpentine and Timber is the theme of the parade; as well as a local art display, food vendors, petting zoo, kids’ carnival games and more.
Also, festivities are planned at a second venue.
When: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Zephyrhills Community Venue, 5200 Airport Road
Details: Live concert, food and merchandise vendors, Busch Gardens penguins and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Information: MainStreetZephyrhills.org, or call (813) 780-1414.
Savage Race
When: March 17 and March 18
Where: 17951 Hamilton Road, Dade City
Cost: Parking $10 for cars; $25 for RVs; spectators, $15 in advance; $25 at the door
Details: Twenty-five obstacles, mud in your underwear, chip timing, T-shirt, beer, action photos, camaraderie, memories
Information: SavageRace.com
Dogs Day in Dade City
When: March 17, 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
Third annual Land O’ Lakes Music Fest
When: March 24, noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park (formerly the Land O’ Lakes Community Center), 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
Cost: Free admission; $10 parking (Bring a lawn chair or blanket)
Details: This Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce event is presented by Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. It features live music, arts and crafts vendors, other booths and more.
Information: Call (813) 909-2722.
Summer Camp Expo
When: March 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Florida Hospital Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
Cost: Free admission
Details: Families get a chance to find out about summer camps and activities in the area and businesses get a chance to reach their target audience. There will be entertainment, bounce houses, activity zones, a photo booth, giveaways, character visits and more.
Information: FamilyFriendlyTampaBay.com
Gran Fondo Florida
When: March 24
Where: San Antonio
Details: Bicycle road race through the rolling hills of Dade City and San Antonio. Cyclists can choose to ride three distances: 35 miles, 55 miles or 100 miles, and are timed on certain stretches of the race.
Information: GranFondoNationalChampionshipSeries.com
Jelly Bean Fling
When: March 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Cost: $5 admission, free parking
Details: Mr. Tommy will join in the Easter Parade, kids will make Easter bonnets, there will be Easter egg hunts for different age groups; and there will be games, a bounce house, face painting and more.
Information: PioneerFloridaMuseum.org
April
Easter Sunrise Service
Where: Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills
When: April 1, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., rain or shine
Cost: Free admission
Details: Live Christian music, an inspirational message, a live dove release and free refreshments. Seating is limited and lawn chairs are encouraged.
Information: Call Jane Freeman at (813) 783-6192.
Wesley Chapel Boat Show
When: April 20 to April 22
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
What: Event showcases boats, boating accessories, fishing gear, apparel and other items.
Information: TheShopsatWiregrass.com
June
Zephyrhills Summerfest
When: June 23, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
Details: Dance and watermelon eating contests, food vendors, bounce houses, family games, crafters, family activities. Event concludes with fireworks.
July
Lutz Fourth of July Parade and festivities
Where: Downtown Lutz, near the Train Depot
When: July 4, parade starts at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free admission and parking
Details: There’s a race and other festivities before and after the parade. The winner of the honorary Lutz Guv’na race is announced following the parade. Additional details will be available closer to the time of the event.
September
A salute to Sept. 11
Where: In front of the Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41, in Lutz
When: Sept. 11, 10 a.m. to noon
Cost: Free admission, free parking
Details: The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club honors those lost on Sept. 11 by waving flags in front of the Old Lutz School.
Information: GFWCLutzLandoLakesWomansClub.org
October
San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival
When: Traditionally held the third weekend of October
Where: City Park, 12202 Main St., San Antonio
Cost: Admission and parking are free
Details: This event typically features music, gopher tortoise races, handmade arts and crafts, children’s rides and games, pumpkin patch, farmer’s market, farm animals, food trucks, beer garden, pioneer village and more.
Shabby Chic Vintage Market and Artisan Day
When: Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
Details: Artisans, live music, original art, painted furniture, antique vendors, shabby style and cottage glam
14th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival
When: Oct. 27 and Oct. 28, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
Details: Simply Events and The Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce have partnered to bring the community to present the 14th Annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival, which will include a carnival with rides and games, live music, delicious fall foods, beverages, arts and craft area with pumpkin painting, local business expo, Pumpkin Patch, Halloween celebration on Oct. 27.
Information: WesleyChapelChamber.com
November
30th annual Florida Bug Jam
When: Nov. 10 and Nov. 11
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City
Information: FloridaBugJam.com
December
Lutz Arts & Crafts Show
When: Dec. 1 and Dec. 2
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
34th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
Where: Florida Hospital Zephyrhills front lawn, 7050 Gall Blvd.
When: Dec. 2, noon to 7 p.m., rain or shine
Details: Tree decorating begins at noon. There’s an evening program from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., with musical entertainment, a Christmas message, the lighting of the trees and fireworks.
Information: Call Jane Freeman at (813) 783-6192.
Christmas in the Park
When: Traditionally the first Sunday in December
Where: City Park, 12202 Main St., in downtown San Antonio
Cost: Free admission, free refreshments
Details: Annual lighting of giant Christmas cards, old-fashioned carol singing and other nostalgic touches
11th annual Tampa Tour de Clay
When: Dec. 8 and Dec. 9
Where: Stops at area pottery studios
Cost: 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.
Information: TampaTourDeClay.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
Cost: Admission is free
Details: The event includes food, entertainment, holiday activities and a Christmas parade.
Old Lutz School Christmas House
When: Traditionally held on select dates in December.
Where: 18819 U.S. 41 N., Lutz
Cost: Free admission; donations of toys and nonperishable foods encouraged
For details closer to the time of the event, visit OldLutzSchool.com.
Published January 3, 2018
Easter Sunrise Service
29th annual Florida Bug Jam
