Adventures of a Pasco Tourist

2010-07-14T08:57:00.011-04:00

It may be the dog days of summer, but that doesn’t mean the number of special events in Pasco has diminished. Visitors to the area – and local residents – can still find something to do almost every weekend from August through September.

This month, take a stand against crime by participating in the National Night Out street party in downtown Zephyrhills on Tuesday, Aug. 3. The event will feature live entertainment all night, along with educational displays, games and, of course, plenty of food. The fun begins at 6 p.m. and continues through 9 p.m.

On Aug. 14, downtown New Port Richey will be the scene of a Key West-style celebration as the Night in the Tropics kicks off with live music on two stages, including the Caribbean Chillers, back by popular demand. Billed as the coolest party on the hottest night of the year, the tropical fun includes two beer gardens, street performers, kids’ activities, bounce house and rock climbing wall, classic car cruise-in and arts and crafts. What more do you need on a hot summer night?

The month of September brings two of the County’s most well-known events – the Pioneer Florida Days Festival in Dade City on Labor Day weekend and RocktemberFest – formerly known as Founders Day - in downtown New Port Richey on the last weekend of the month.

Held Sept. 5 and 6 at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village north of Dade City, Pioneer Florida Days is the museum’s annual celebration of early Florida heritage, including live Civil War re-enactments, authentic craft demonstrations, a mock court martial, 1860s fashion show, children’s activities and live entertainment.

RocktemberFest, held in downtown New Port Richey from Sept. 24-26, will feature some new traditions, including scarecrow making and pumpkin painting, as well as the traditional Founders Day favorites of live music, classic cars, kids entertainment, a craft show and, of course, food. Be sure to celebrate the end of the summer in style with one of Pasco’s many unique events!

Celebrate Christmas in July in Dade City

2010-07-06T09:17:00.004-04:00

Celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas in July in historic downtown Dade City!

Stores will feature sales, specials, antique appraisals and demonstrations. See below for more information. Email Dade City Main Street at mainstreet01@embarqmail.com or call 352-567-0284.

Old-Fashioned Christmas in July Promotions

Grapevine Antiques - Will be offering FREE Clock AppraisalsAntiques on Main Street - All Furniture 20% Off, Enter to win a $25 Gift certificate with any purchase.

Wee Grow'd - FREE Gift with any purchase

The Coffee Mug Cafe - LIVE Music, Christmas goodies including eggnog and candy cane milkshakes, cookies, bread and more!

Peddlers Village - In store promotions and drawings.

Quilts on Plum Lane - Will be offering $10 verbal or $40 written appraisals, Tatting Demonstrations by Edith Wooley and all Christmas Fabric will be 25% Off!

4 Alarm Tan and Essentials - Door Prizes, Special Pricing and Enter for a chance to win one of two raffles!

Williams Fashion Center - Large assortment of summer lightweight jackets and burnout shirts on sale for $35!

Lunch on Limoges - Fresh Peaches will be featured on our menu!

Sugarcreek Too - enjoy refreshments while you browse our store featuring sales 25%-50% off!

Annetta's Antiques - Storewide savings on selected items.

Annetta's Attic - Be part of Dade City's Version of Antiques Roadshow FREE verbal appraisals(Max. 3 items per person please). Does not include appraisals of: Precious Gems, Fine Art or Oriental Rugs.

Top Drawer Antiques - 1pm - 3pm Ask the Expert about your pocket and wristwatches. Special Discounts throughout the store from 10%-50% on selected items. Find the impression of "One Eyed Joe" the 12' alligator on the wall and be entered into a drawing to win a special item!

Kumquat Kuriosities - 50% Off Sale!

Ivy Cottage Antiques and Wine Merchant - Join us for "A Taste of the Holidays" Wine Tasting.

Be sure to set aside Saturday, July 10 and visit downtown Dade City for Christmas in July!

Fireworks Exploding All Over Pasco This Year

2010-06-28T09:09:00.007-04:00

No matter where you live in Pasco County, you can find a Fourth of July celebration not too far away.

In West Pasco, the Angelus in Hudson will hosts its 2nd Annual Patriotic Fireworks Family Fun Extravaganza on Saturday, July 3, with all proceeds benefitting the Angelus, a group home for severely disabled children and adults. Gates open at noon and the event includes local musicians Wiley Fox, JoDell and N-Kahootz, as well as arts and crafts, food and a large fireworks display. The Angelus is located at 12413 Hudson Avenue in Hudson. Cost is $5 per carload.

If you are in East Pasco, your best bet for fireworks and fun is the Annual Sparklebration Festival & Fireworks Celebration at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City. As always, the Sparklebration lineup is packed with fun, family entertainment, including the popular Fritzy’s one-man circus, country and pop musician Dennis Lee, magician Steven Marcus, an Elvis tribute artist, plus pony rides, a petting zoo, kids games, animal shows, hot dog and apple pie eating contests and more. Gates open at 4 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Admission is $3 and parking is $5.

“California Dreamin’” Becomes Reality at Main Street Blast

2010-06-24T09:58:00.006-04:00

KIAFest Main Street Blast 2010, the 13th edition of this award-winning special event, will take place from 3 to 11 p.m. on Saturday in Sims Park and around Orange Lake in downtown New Port Richey.

The concert theme is “California Dreamin’” and hearkens back to the music of Southern California in the 60s and 70s, with tribute bands playing the music of the Mamas and the Papas, the Beach Boys, the Doobie Brothers and the Eagles.

Also on stage will be young Tiffani Cruz, performing the National Anthem, and comedian Lou Angelwolf.

“This event has always featured classic rock music, and we like to recreate certain facets of that fantastic era,'' said Judy DeBella Thomas, executive director of Greater New Port Richey Main Street, the organizer of the event. "Last year we paid homage to the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, and this year we want to take everyone back to the California beach culture that was such a big part of those fun times. John Gilliss of Friendly KIA has ‘tricked out’ a Surfin’ Soul and a Sorento ‘Woody,’ which will be on site.''

In addition to the music, KIAFest will feature its annual fireworks show, sponsored by Lucas, Green, and Magazine, scheduled between 9:30 and 10 p.m., weather conditions permitting, at Orange Lake. The 9th Annual Miss Firecracker Contest will offer cash prizes and other goodies for the winners. And the event’s annual salute to our troops will devote special attention to the "sand soldiers" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Southern Cruisers Riding Club and the Gulfside Car Club will be combining to raise funds for soldiers, and both clubs will have their vehicles, motorcycles and classic autos on display at the event, along with a motorcycle raffle managed by the Cotee River Bike Fest. There will be a dunk tank sponsored by Advanced Research and manned by Marine veteran Adam Randall.

Look for a special appearance by The Swampmaster, Jeff Quattrocchi, who gained worldwide fame at Main Street’s recent Cotee River Seafood/Blues Fest. In addition, there will be river cruises along the Cotee River aboard the Miss Daisy, food and beverage vendors, and two beer trucks to offer cold refreshments.

To deal with the heat, there will be shade tents in the concert venue and areas with cooling mist hoses.

“We want people to get out, relax and enjoy a great day in the park to celebrate our independence,” said DeBella Thomas.

For more information, visit http://www.nprmainstreet.com/ or call 727-842-8066.

Giraffe Ranch Tours Opens North of Dade City

2010-06-14T10:11:00.015-04:00

Have you ever fed a giraffe? Have you ever smelled their grassy breath?

These are memories that will last you a lifetime. At Giraffe Ranch in Dade City, Florida you'll experience first hand, the lives of giraffe and other species from around the world
living under huge live oaks in a setting that is right out of Africa.

Giraffe Ranch is a licensed working ranch that specializes in exotic species as well as domestic cattle and horses. Visitors learn about exotic animals from an expert guide from the comfort of specially designed 4-wheel drive vehicles. The ranch is also helping to preserve species that are extinct in the wild.

Located in east Pasco County 45 minutes north of Tampa, Giraffe Ranch is on 47 acres
of rolling countryside. With huge live oaks, native orchids and lush pastures and wetlands, the ranch is also a native wildlife preserve. Every night up to 200 sandhill cranes roost on the grounds.

Experience Giraffe Ranch farm tours with an experienced driver/guide in customized safari tour vehicles. Visitors are safe, comfortable and have a terrific view, as each vehicle is fitted with shade canopies and stadium seating. Learn about native and exotic animals and their habitats from the safari guides. See the ongoing conservation efforts with endangered species and some that are extinct in the wild.

On safari you can feed giraffe, zebra and other animals from Asia, Africa, and the
Americas. See a working herd of Austrian Haflinger horses and tiny Irish Dexter cattle. Giraffe Ranch has one of the largest herds of these diminutive cattle in Florida.

Giraffe Ranch is not a zoo or theme park. It is a hands-on, working game farm and
wildlife preserve where animals have room to roam. Family-owned and operated for over 10 years, Giraffe Ranch is open by reservation only. The farm has two tours per day at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tours are strictly limited in size and are fun, educational adventures.

Giraffe Ranch is accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) and licensed
by USDA. Visit Giraffe Ranch for the ultimate ecoadventure! Call (813) 4823400
or visit www.girafferanch.com for more information or reservations.

Anclote Eagles Lure Birders from Around U.S.

2010-05-27T10:37:00.012-04:00

A pair of bald eagles that has made its winter home just outside Anclote River Park in Holiday has drawn the attention of birders from around the world. Because the nest is so clearly visible from the road, the word has spread and birding enthusiasts have followed the progress of the pair and their baby chicks. The eagles have flown back to their summer home but return each year to nest and raise their young. Local photographer Andrea Pico Estrada spent the past few months documenting the eagles and created two beautiful You Tube slideshows of images. Click on the links below to observe the eagles and their young. Anclote Eagles on You Tube, January 2010
Anclote Eagles on You Tube Part 2, May 2010 Click here to learn more about Anclote River Park and nearby Anclote Gulf Park, Key Vista Park and Eagle Point Park.

Art Gallery in Dade City to Host Caricaturist

2010-04-27T08:50:00.008-04:00

Local artist Samuel David Carroll Freeman will be set up outside the HiBrow Art Gallery in historic downtown Dade City from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, in conjunction with Dade City ’s monthly car show.

Samuel is a 17-year-old high school student at Springstead High School in Brooksville. A resident of South Carolina until the age of eight, Samuel has been “drawing with precision since he was two” and winning both school district and county fair awards with his artwork since elementary school.

Freeman is a fan of original forms and fantasy art, and he works with a montage of mediums, including charcoal and airbrushes. He is also versed in the art of digital photography. His established workplace is his garage, where he takes and fills weekly orders for his work.

These orders, along with hours spent at charity events doing face-painting, not to mention his school work, all make for a pretty tight schedule, but Samuel finds it all worthwhile, and he hopes one day to go into “original comic artwork, digital design, and animation.”

Don't miss this great celebration of the arts in historic downtown Dade City! HiBrow Art Gallery is located at 14123 Seventh Street on the Historic Courthouse Square across from Beef O’Brady’s. Admission to the gallery is free and this event is open to the public.

For more information on the gallery or other HiBrow events, including Artist of the Month, Gallery Talks and Art Fridays, contact Brittany Rathbone at (352) 521-3823.

Don't Miss the Cotee River Seafood and Boat Show!

2010-04-26T16:39:00.004-04:00

Greater New Port Richey Main Street invites you to join us for this award winning event that combines live Blues music performed by local, regional, and national legends all weekend, tasty seafood, beautiful boats, an arts & craft fair and activities for the entire family.

Event Overview

Activities & games for kids

Live Alligator Show with the Swampmaster

Fishing & boating demonstrations

30-45 minute Miss Daisy boat tours up the historic and picturesque Cotee River through downtown New Port Richey

A variety of beverage & food vendors offering a variety of seafood treats

Arts & crafts fair focusing on nautical and natural themed hand-crafted items.

Appearances and photo opportunities with Miss Firecracker 2008 and 2009.

Personalities from TrueOldies 106.3 and Tampa Bay on Demand on our stage.

Admission to the festival is free. Most, but not all, activities are free of charge.

A Gorgeous Day for Chasco Boat Parade

2010-03-27T18:06:00.023-04:00

Organizers of the "Viva Las Vegas" Chasco Boat Parade could not have asked for more picture-perfect weather today.

The sun was shining, a gentle breeze was blowing and the crowds were just a-chilling all along the scenic Pithlachascotee River in downtown New Port Richey.

In case you missed the parade, here are a few of our favorites. We'll post the official winners as soon as they are available.

This last boat has our very own County Commissioner Jack Mariano, Clerk & Comptroller Paula O'Neil, Sen. Mike Fasano, and Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley. A great day to be out meeting the public!

Chasco Fiesta Continues - But Wait, There's More! Downtown Dade City Also Hosting Its Spring Antique Faire

2010-03-25T01:44:00.038-04:00

If you haven't yet had your fill of music, food and revelry, don't worry, the fun continues this weekend at the 2010 Chasco Fiesta in downtown New Port Richey, with two of the main attractions of the week taking place on Saturday - the fabulous Viva Las Vegas Boat Parade along the Cotee River, starting at 1 p.m., followed by the always popular Chasco Country Concert, featuring Luke Bryan, pictured here, Love & Theft and local crowd-pleasers Wiley Fox. Gates for the show at Sims Park open at 5:45 p.m., with general admission tickets just $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Two quick factoids about this year's talent - Luke Bryan is a 2010 Academy of Country Music nominee for Top New Solo Vocalist. And the hit band Love & Theft is scheduled to begin opening shows for Tim McGraw in May! So catch these future superstars at a great price and small venue (only 4,500 seats) while you still can!

Another Chasco favorite, the Boat Parade starts at Miller's Bayou at 1 p.m. and runs through downtown along the Cotee River. It's billed as the oldest boat parade in Florida and since Chasco itself has been around since the 1920s, we don't doubt it! The parade includes dozens of floats from schools, local businesses and individual families, plus thousands of dollars in prizes for the most creatively decorated "Vegas-themed" vessels. So, bring your cameras!

Also this weekend is the Kayak Race and Fun Paddle to raise funds for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services of Florida; the Homewood Suites Hilton Softball Tournament, a qualifying event for the National Softball Association; and the famous Cotee River Lions Club Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday at Sims Park. To view the complete weekend calendar, click here. For a map and directions, click here.

If you do happen to be too pooped after last weekend's festivities, consider stepping back to a slower time at Downtown Dade City Main Street's Spring Antique Faire on Saturday and Sunday. Even if it doesn't quite feel like spring yet, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a slice of small-town Americana at its finest - plus find great deals on everything from country primitives to fine antiques - all under the shady oak trees of beautiful downtown Dade City. Don't forget to hit some of the more than 60 gift shops, boutiques and excellent restaurants while you're there. For a downtown map and shopping guide, click here.

Chasco Fiesta & Orange Blossom BBQ This Weekend

2010-03-16T11:30:00.018-04:00

It's another great weekend to get out and enjoy some unique events in Pasco County!

On the west side of the county, the biggest event of the year, Chasco Fiesta, kicks off on Thursday, with eleven days of live, nationally-known entertainment, arts and crafts, games, rides and more, all along the banks of the beautiful Pithlachascotee River in downtown New Port Richey. The event includes a Native American Festival, decorated boat parade and one of the largest street parades in the area (Saturday, March 20.) You can follow Chasco on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest updates, photos and more.

On the east side of the county, professional BBQ teams and backyard chefs from all over will vie for cash prizes and trophies during the Orange Blossom Special BBQ & Bike Ride at the Dade City Business Center Festival Courtyard on Friday and Saturday. The event also includes an Outdoor Expo, Beer Can Chicken Contest, games for the kids, classic cars, arts and crafts festival, and a Reptile Discovery Exhibit & Show.

Just today, Habitat has confirmed that country star Matt Kennon will perform on Friday night for just $5. Check the Habitat website for a complete schedule of events and get the latest updates on their Facebook page. And, as always, enjoy another beautiful weekend in Pasco County!

Ragtime a Hit in Downtown Dade City

2010-03-16T10:20:00.018-04:00

Had a great time this weekend at the first annual Ragtime Festival and Equestrian Parade in downtown Dade City. It's the first time the city has hosted the event since a similar parade was held last year as part of the Little Everglades Steeplechase.

Sponsored by the City of Dade City Youth Council and the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, the high-stepping horse parade was followed by an afternoon of live ragtime and blues music, great barbecue and the aweseome dance routines of Sally Blackwood Studios.

Thank you to the City of Dade City Youth Council, the Pioneer Museum and the many volunteers who helped make this event a success. It was truly a great day downtown and we hope the event will be back next year!

Stay tuned also for the next big event at the Pioneer - Les McDowell's Cowboy Days, featuring Matt Stillwell, Les McDowell's Cowboy Poetry, Cowboy Tom's Wild West Show, Cowboy Vern's Rope Tricks, an FFA petting zoo, 1800s authentic cow camp and much more!

Visit the Pioneer Museum website for full details! And thank you to our local paparazzo, Richard Riley, for the great photos!

A Wild Day of Canoeing on the Withlacoochee River

2010-03-14T15:46:00.012-04:00

Thinking of taking a trip up the scenic Withlacoochee River north of Dade City?

It's a great time of year since the water is high but it's important to be safe as well. Check out this great article by St. Pete Times' columnist Dan DeWitt on the pleasures - and potential perils - of a day on the water. As wonderful as it is to get out and enjoy the outdoors, it's equally as important to be safe - and be prepared for anything!

Click here for the full article. And click here for a list of other places to hike, bike and paddle in Pasco County!

Pigs' pursuit of Oreos still brings smiles at fair

2010-02-18T23:07:00.008-05:00

Reprinted from the Tampa Tribune

Feb. 18, 2010

By Geoff Fox

DADE CITY - If there's one thing a pig likes better than mud, it's an Oreo cookie.

Randy Ross has been telling people that — and that the famously filthy and intelligent animals have "no major sweat glands" — for 25 years.

In Ross's world, in fact, Oreos are to porkers what carrots are to rabbits. And his pigs have learned that the ability to race around a 150-foot track faster than your friends is rewarded with whole Oreos.

Losers get the crumbs.

"Just like in life," Ross said.

Ross operates Robinson's Racing Pigs at the Pasco County Fair with Sharon, his wife of 20 years. This week, a crowd of about 50 people, many of them newcomers to the sport of pig racing, stopped to watch the competition.

Dan and Beverly McKee of Lowell, Ind., had never heard of such a thing. With a laugh, Dan McKee said he was watching "for the novelty of it."

The McKees' friend, Betty Sparenberg of West Lafayette, Ind., said she was raised on a farm and knew a lot of pigs, but never met one that raced.

"I've just fed them and sold them," she said. "I've never trained any, but everyone I know who's ever worked with a pig always said they were very smart."

You couldn't persuade Ross otherwise. Besides racing around the track in about seven seconds, his pigs also have learned to swim a narrow stretch of water mid-race, hence the other name for his pigs: Robinson's Paddling Porkers.

The show was founded by the late Carlotta Robinson in 1985. Since then, the Florida-based attraction has entertained crowds at fairs across the United States and Canada, as far away as Japan, and on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Larry Fuller of New Port Richey via Erie, Pa., had no idea what to expect.

"We were just here at the fair, wandered by and saw the sign," he said. "I've never heard of anything like this before."

He probably had never heard names like those Ross gave his pigs, either.

On Tuesday afternoon, "Hammy Faye-Bacon," "Rush Limb-hog," "Lindsay Lo-ham," "Britney Spare Ribs," "Arnold Schwarzen-hogger," "Dale Oink-heart Jr.," "Snoop Hoggy Hog" and others competed for the opportunity to devour an entire Oreo.

There's even a banjo-tinged theme song for the event, featuring the lyrics:

"These little piggies aren't sloppy like some pigs are

"Robinson's Racing Pigs! Robinson's Racing Pigs!"

After watching a few heats, Beverly McKee uncorked a laugh.

"It's cute," she said. "It could be a little warmer out here, but I'd come and see this again. I think it's fun."

Her husband said he appreciated how well the animals seemed to be treated.

"One of my favorite shows is 'Animal Planet,'" Dan McKee said. "You see how some people treat their pets, but these folks are running a business, and they're really taking care of the animals.''

How Sweet It Is - Don't Miss the County Fair!

2010-02-16T16:17:00.020-05:00

Come enjoy the sweet things the fair has to offer - cotton candy, ice cream, gooey cinnamon buns - plus the pageants, exhibits and always popular midway.

Returning this year will be Robinson's Racing Pigs; "Fritzy Brothers" one man circus; and Ron Diamond, magician, illusionist and hypnotist.

New this year are the "Wild About Monkeys" show; Steve Russell's comedy and juggling act; and The Bassmeister, a fishing comedy show.

Don't forget free entertainment each day; the Pasco County Fair Championship Rodeo, sanctioned by the PRCA, on Friday and Saturday; and the Demolition Derby on Sunday.

Other favorites including the Pasco Showcase of Talent on Tuesday; bluegrass music on Wednesday by The Little Roy and Lizzy Show and Southern Star Bluegrass Band; Gospel Music Night on Thursday, featuring Legends of Gospel Music - The Dixie Echoes and Naomi & the Segos; plus, pageants on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Don't miss this year's "sweet deals" on midway rides and unlimited ride specials.

For complete details and ticket information, visit http://www.pascocountyfair.com/

The fair continues through Sunday at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City.

The event is sponsored in part by the Pasco County Tourist Development Council.

Enjoy Old-Time Family Fun at Farm Fest & Quilt Show

2010-01-25T09:00:00.003-05:00

DADE CITY, FL – Old Time Family Fun will begin 9 a.m. Saturday, February 6th and continue through Sunday, February 7th at 4p.m. There will be something fun for everyone. Entertainment includes music, and living history demonstrations of pioneer life including soap making, weaving cane grinding and syrup making. Children’s activities include free petting zoo, crafts, activities and more. The Pioneer Village buildings will be open to view, including Pasco’s oldest 2 story house, the Historic Overstreet House.

Headline musical entertainment is “The Southerners”, Pasco County’s Premier Gospel Quartet, playing Sunday afternoon. Les McDowell, the cowboy poet will present his tales of the Florida Cowman.

Cornerstone of the quilt show is the prestigious Hoffman Challenge Touring Collection. Local quilters will also be showcased with a Quilt Contest – calling all local quilters to display their unique masterpieces with winners announced Sunday. Call the Museum for details.

And for animal lovers, the Museum’s 7th annual Draft Horse Competition will be presented on Saturday by the Southern Draft Horse Association. Cowboy Tom will present his Wild West Show and a Cracker Cow Camp will be set up.

Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 10-17, $2 for children ages 5-9 and children under 5 are free. Museum members get in free.

Onsite food and beverages will be available, and on Sunday, beginning at 8 a.m. the first 500 paid admissions will receive a free pancake breakfast.

The Pioneer Florida Museum is a private non-profit history museum dedicated to preserving and teaching about Florida’s Pioneer Heritage. The museum is located one mile north of downtown Dade City, off of US 301, just north of Dade City Business Center. More information, visit www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org or call 352-567-0262

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SATURDAY & SUNDAY
· Cracker Cow Camp
· Les McDowell the Cowboy Poet
· Cowboy Tom’s Wild West Show
For Quilters:
· Hoffman Challenge Traveling Quilt Collection of dolls, quilts
· Hoffman Challenge Clothing Fashion Show
· Kumquat Challenge Quilts
· Quilt appraiser and historian Brenda Grampsas presenting a trunk show
· Local Quilters and Contest
· Quilter Vendors
· Select Quilts from Museum Collection on Display

Living History Displays
· Sugar Cane Grinding
· Sugar Cane Syrup Making
· Soap making
· Weaving & spinning
SATURDAY ONLY
· 7th Annual Draft Horse Pull Competition presented by Southern Draft Horse Association
· Gazebo Stage: “vgo”, “The Barking Dogs”

SUNDAY ONLY
· Free Pancake Breakfast for first 500 paid attendees
· “The Southerners”
· “Dulcimer Connection”

FOR THE CHILDREN (Both Days)
· 1835 Seminole Indian Village
· Free Petting Zoo
· Free Seminole Quilt Piecing
· Free Crafts & Games

Contact: 352-567-0262
Barbara Russ, Director curator@pioneerfloridamuseum.org

Enjoy Fine Art, Food & Live Music at Suncoast Arts Fest

2010-01-14T15:14:00.005-05:00

Wesley Chapel - Celebrate a countywide weekend of the arts as the Suncoast Arts Fest presents its fifth annual fine art show at the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel on Saturday, Jan. 23 and Sunday, Jan. 24.

More than 120 fine artists and craftsmen are the main attraction, but there will also be a “Taste of Wiregrass” event and continuous live music throughout the weekend, including Sarasota Slim, the Women’s Blues Review, Ray Olan and his Latin Band and the newly discovered bluegrass/country family band, AmeriKinFolk. In addition to woodwork, ceramics, glass art, paintings, photography and jewelry, the event will feature live chalk art demonstrations on the sidewalks in Wiregrass.

For the kids, there will be an interactive arts area and emerging artists display. All proceeds from the event go to “Art for Kids in Pasco County’’ and help supplement funding for arts education in public and private schools. Also, for the first time this year, the event includes multiple art exhibitions and activities throughout the County, including shows at the Pasco Arts Council, Pioneer Florida Museum, Progress Energy Art Gallery and the Pottberg Gallery at Pasco-Hernando Community College.

For more details, visit http://www.suncoastartsfest.com/ or call 727-247-6182.

Pasco Bug Jam Sets World Record for Most People in a VW Bug

2009-11-24T11:57:00.006-05:00

DADE CITY --- The fledging economy didn’t stop Volkswagen owners from flocking to the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City, FL, for the 21st annual Pasco Bug Jam on Sunday, Nov. 8. Nearly 500 VWs, representing most all models of the “People’s Car,” entered the show, along with more than 125 swap vendors and plenty of new VW parts vendors and sellers of all things Volkswagen.

The Bug Jam, noted as the largest VW show in the Southeast, also received international recognition when event hosts organized an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Record™ for the most people “crammed into an old-style VW Beetle.”

“The old figure was 15, set in December 2008 in Brazil,” said Carol Jeffares Hedman, Bug Jam coordinator. “I was doubtful when we got the ’71 Bug and looked inside that more than that could possibly fit.”

But about 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, 17 people twisted and turned and squeezed into the small VW, remaining in the pretzel-like mound with the doors and windows shut for 5 seconds --- breaking the world record.

“We didn’t even know there were 17 in there until they started literally pulling the arms and legs out doors,” Hedman said. “It was great. The DJ started playing ‘We Are the Champions’ and the crowd and participants started whooping and hollering and giving high-fives.”

To be an official attempt, Guinness Book of World Records™ requires various forms of documentation to make sure its requirements were met, Hedman said. That includes all persons being 18 or older and taller than 5 feet. The Bug Jam participants ranged in ages from 19 to 56 and from 5-feet-1 to 6 foot tall.

“We have sent the required documentation and are now just waiting to hear back from Guinness for the official word,” Hedman said.

Other winners at the Bug Jam included the 1952 Beetle owned by Lindy Herrell of Carrollton, GA. It took home Best of Show honors, along with best interior. Other awards went to Tee and Evelyn Watkins, of Bardstown, KY, with a 1973 Thing for the best engine; Kevin Arsenean, of Chugiak, AS, 1965 21-Window Microbus, best paint; and Donna Morse, of Lyndon, IL, 2000 Beetle GIS, best display.

A crowd of more than 7,000 attended the Bug Jam, held annually on the second Sunday of November at the 40-acre Pasco County Fairgrounds.

The Bug Jam is organized by the non-profit Pasco County Fair Association Inc., a 501 (c) 3 organization, and all proceeds go to non-profit organizations, including All Children’s Hospital that has received nearly $200,000 since the Bug Jam was conceived 21 years ago. It is also supported, in part, by the Pasco County Tourist Development Council.

For more information about the Bug Jam, call the Pasco Fair Office, (352) 567-6678, e-mail bugjam@pascocountyfair.com, or visit the Web site: http://www.pascobugjam.com/.

Symphony in Lights Returns to Wiregrass

2009-11-05T09:22:00.027-05:00

Combine 250,000 lights, Trans-Siberian Orchestra music plus computer-animation and you have an exciting new holiday tradition for Pasco County. With a quarter of a million LED lights, 1,000 watts of sound, and 10 tons of holiday décor combine to create “Symphony in Lights,” one unbelievable holiday experience that returns to The Shops at Wiregrass on November 21st and runs nightly through December 31.

To celebrate the show’s kick off on November 21, a concert will be held in Center Court featuring The Alan Darcy Group that will play throughout the night. The Shops at Wiregrass, Pasco's newest Town Center shopping destination, is located at SR56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Wesley Chapel.

The twinkling, blinking, ever-moving, computer-programmed extravaganza, choreographed to the holiday music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), runs four times per evening, every hour on the hour, beginning at 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

“Symphony In Lights” illuminates the night with the area's newest holiday tradition, a show that’s simply unlike anything that currently exists in the Greater Tampa/St. Pete area,” said Greg Lenners, general manager, The Shops at Wiregrass. “The Center will be trimmed top to bottom with 250,000 LED lights that only take as much energy to run nightly as it takes to light a single home. ‘Symphony in Lights’ will delight the whole family and is well worth the trip, no matter where you live in the area,” he added.

The first “Symphony in Lights” was created in Mason, Ohio, when holiday light hobbyist Carson Williams conceived a fantastically creative light show on his home, set to the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It made its way across the United States via the Internet appearing on The Today Show, Ellen DeGeneres, the Miller Lite beer commercial and You Tube, drawing the attention of developer Forest City, owner and manager of The Shops at Wiregrass and other centers across the country.

Forest City was so inspired by Carson’s creativity, that they partnered with him and brought in professional designer John Carter from Parker 3-D.com to create commercial-sized, choreographed lighting exhibits set to the music of TSO.

Slither over to San Antonio for Rattlesnakes & More

2009-10-12T16:28:00.008-04:00

Ok, where else can you go and see trained snake handlers in one show and racing gopher tortoises (sort of) in another? Then, walk over to the corn toss tournament or western wear contest? Sound intriguing? Then, you'd better "slither" on over to San Antonio for the 43rd Annual San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival.

If you've never been, it's a Pasco County treasure you truly have to see to believe. There is so much to do and see that you really do need two days to see everything. From arts and crafts to kids games, a petting zoo, inflatables, live entertainment, custom car show and 5-mile or 1-mile fun runs, there is no way you won't be entertained. Or at least really, really scared. (Just kidding! All of the snakes are handled only by trained experts and spectators are a safe distance from the dangerous ones at all times.)
For the foodies, did we mention there is also a Pancake Breakfast and Chili Cook-off? And of course, what would any small town festival be without a pageant? The Miss Rattler Pageant will be held Sunday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. in Dan Cannon Auditorium at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City. Don't miss it!

Bikers to invade Downtown New Port Richey

2009-09-28T08:43:00.007-04:00

If you are a biker or just a bike fan, then you will want to make plans to head to Downtown New Port Richey the weekend of Oct. 9-11. The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce will present its Fifth Annual Cotee River Bike Fest at Sims Park and around Orange Lake. There will be live music on two stages, a vintage ride-in bike show, $1,000 Daisy Duke contest, truck pull, tattoo contest and the "Disc-Connected K-9s,'' world-famous frisbee dogs.
Again this year, Sheriff Bob White and the Sheriff's Foundation will host the Annual Sheriff's Charity Ride to benefit the PACE Center for Girls. The 50-mile ride starts at Gulfcoast Harley Davidson on State Road 54 and ends with VIP parking at the Bike Fest. Riders will be escorted by the Pasco Sheriff's Motorcycle Unit.

A second good cause at the Bike Fest will be the Bikers Against Hunger food drive and fundraiser. Visitors to the festival are encouraged to bring canned food, baby food, toilet paper and other non-perishable items to the Volunteer Way tent at the festival. It's a great way to have a good time and help others! To find out more or volunteer, visit the website or call the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce at 727-842-7651.

Weekends Packed with Events in Downtown New Port Richey

2009-09-15T10:04:00.009-04:00

Things are really jumping in downtown New Port Richey for the next few weekends. Greater New Port Richey Main Street and Progress Energy Art Gallery sent us the updates below. Check it out and get downtown!

Greater New Port Richey Main Street will host its September Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Railroad Square in New Port Richey. During the summer months the market has been on a monthly schedule, which will continue through October.

The September market will include a community garage sale where people can sell household items in a relaxed atmosphere. Entertainment will be provided by Greg Rabelo, guitarist and
singer for the local band Bone Yard Dogs, who will be appearing at Main Street’s Founders Day Fall Celebration in Sims Park a week later.

“The Downtown Farmers Markets are a part of Main Street’s program to get people to enjoy the beautiful downtown we have here in New Port Richey, and at the same time do a little bargain
shopping while taking care of their produce needs,” said Judy DeBella Thomas, the Executive Director of Greater New Port Richey Main Street. “We feel that the more folks visit our downtown, the more they will want to come back!”

For information about the Downtown Farmers Market, or to apply for vendor space, visit http://www.nprmainstreet.com/ or call 727-842-8066.

Florida State Quarter Illustrator to Appear at Art Exhibit
Progress Energy Art Gallery will host prominent artist/illustrator Ralph Butler on Sept. 26. Mr. Butler’s paintings have been on exhibit at the gallery as part of the Viva L’Florida show featuring art that depicts the state of Florida. The gallery is located at 6231 Grand Boulevard in downtown New Port Richey.

Mr. Butler will present the original illustrations that were selected for the 2004 Commemorative Florida Quarter design, called "Gateway to Discovery."

Mr. Butler also designed the very rare Bicentennial Medal for Florida, through the Franklin Mint. Due to the rarity of this medal it will only be on exhibit the evening of his appearance, under guard. The artist will also sign your own Florida State quarter, so check your piggy banks and pockets for Florida State quarters.

Progress Energy Art Gallery is a project of Greater New Port Richey Main Street, whose mission is to assist in the growth and redevelopment of historic downtown. The art gallery was founded in May of 2003, with the purpose of giving local artists an opportunity to show their work and to enhance cultural quality in the West Pasco area. To learn more, visit http://www.nprgallery.com/ or call 727-848-6500.

Birding Events and Trips Hosted by West Pasco Audubon

2009-09-10T10:44:00.005-04:00

The West Pasco Audubon Society recently released its fall schedule of birding programs and field trips. Here is the scoop!

The fall calendar begins Sept. 12 with a program at the Starkey Education Center, located inside the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey. "Birding in Paradise, Birds of Hawaii" will be presented by Agnes Condon at 3 p.m.

The group's Annual Migration Count will be on Saturday, Sept. 19. Be sure to count your backyard and neighborhood birds and email Ken Tracey at kftracey@verizon.net with your species list and the total birds seen. County parks will also need bird counters. Be sure to record the park name. Use the list of birds seen on previous counts to record your sightings.

The photo contest for this fall and spring 2010 has started! See the rules and entry form for complete details. Photos from the 2009 contest can be picked up at the Sept. 12 meeting. Check out last year's first place winner in the Native Bird category by Mark Turnau!

Finally, a couple cool field trips are planned.

Honeymoon Island: Saturday Sept 26 at 7:30 a.m. Meet at the Burger King located at Moog Road and U.S. 19 in Holiday. Agnes Condon will lead the group.

Pelagic Trip on the East Coast: Sunday Nov. 15th, Contact Murray Gardler at
mangrovefirst@tampabay.rr.com or Michael Brothers at mbrothers@co.volusia.fl.us for
costs and times.

For more information on these and other fun birding activities, contact Ken Tracey at kftracey@verizon.net or visit the website at http://www.westpascoaudubon.com/ Happy birding!

Visit these attractions during Tourism Week

2009-05-08T14:58:00.024-04:00

What better way to recognize National Tourism and Travel Week by checking out some of the very cool tours and attractions that Pasco County has to offer. If you are visiting, you'll have a great time discovering the meaning of Pasco's "It's Only Natural" slogan. If you are a local, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the unique and offbeat activities you can do in your own backyard. Check out a few below, along with these fun facts about tourism in Florida and the U.S.

Travel Industry Fun Facts

Did You Know that travel and tourism is a $1.6 trillion industry in the United States? If one dollar bill equaled a second of time, then $1.6 trillion would equal almost 51,000 years.

Did You Know that travel and tourism generates $110 billion in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments? If you place 110 billion one dollar bills end-to-end, they would circle the world 419 times.

Did You Know that each U.S. household would pay $995 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry? $995 will buy about five weeks of groceries for a family of four, will fill the average car with gas 17 times, or will even pay the average cost of a ticket to a Michigan vs. Ohio State football game.

Did You Know that the travel and tourism industry is one of the country's largest employers with 7.5 million jobs? You could fill the Louisiana Superdome a hundred times over with people directly employed in the industry. For more, visit the U.S. Travel Association's website.

So, what's there to do in Pasco County? Plenty! Check out some of these cool spots this summer.

Florida Estates Winery, State Road 52 in Land O' Lakes - Open daily, the winery also hosts a monthly Fresh Market with produce, arts and crafts vendors, wine tasting and live music. http://www.floridaestateswines.com/

Empire Winery, 11807 Little Road, New Port Richey - Provides tours and wine tastings. Call (727) 819-2821 or stop by. Visit them online here.

Dade City's Wild Things Zoo - Meridian Avenue & 17th Street, Dade City. A non-profit sanctuary and zoo on 22 acres, Wild Things offers feeding tours, educational tours for school groups and private tours. Visit the website here.

Miss Daisy Boat Tours on the Cotee River - Docked at the Seaside Inn in Port Richey, the Miss Daisy provides short jaunts on the Cotee River and into the Gulf of Mexico. Captain Kelly and First Mate George share the vibrant history of Pasco County as they cruise by homes of Gloria Swanson, Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, & Johnny Cash. Visit their website here.

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Have a comment about Pasco Tourism? Click the "Comments" link below to discuss great places to visit in Pasco County or to recommend a destination for an upcoming Adventure.

Benefit "Art for Kids" at Suncoast Arts Fest

2009-04-20T10:33:00.003-04:00

Organizers of the Suncoast Arts Fest, being held this year at the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, are promoting the event as a low-cost option for kids and families to enjoy. See below for more details from the event website. The art festival is free and proceeds benefit art education programs for kids.

Suncoast Arts Fest, May 2 - 3

Everyone has been affected by the recent down-turn of the economy either directly or through someone they know. The good news is there are still opportunities to make happy memories on a tight budget and the Suncoast Arts Fest May 2—3 at The Shops of Wiregrass is one of those opportunities. There will be something for everyone. This annual event will feature the works of over 80 fine artisans and craftsmen in all price ranges and for all tastes.

Looking for that special gift maybe for an important birthday? Something for mom on Mother's Day? Or to celebrate an anniversary? Well, here’s a helpful buying hint - buy an original piece of artistic treasure. When you select a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece of magic, the special persons who receives it will always think of you when they see it or use it. Here's another idea - buy a one-of-kind memento that will remind you of the wonderful day spent at the Suncoast Arts Fest with family and friends.

There's so much at the Arts Fest for everyone to enjoy at no cost. Children can hone their artistic instincts in the hands-on children’s art tent. You and your friends can enjoy a variety of both professional and local musical talent, everything from rock to blues to polka. Enjoy the wonderful food and spirits available at the merchants of Wiregrass.

Admission is free and there is plenty of convenient parking. Everything is handicapped accessible. Come out, relax and forget your troubles at the Suncoast Arts Fest on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Remember, this event is put on to benefit "Arts for Kids in Pasco County."

For additional information, visit www.suncoastartsfest.com or call 727-247-6182. The Suncoast Arts Fest is a production of The Fine Arts of the Suncoast, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission to "promote cultural awareness in Pasco County." Proceeds from the event will go to "Art for Kids in Pasco County" and help supplement funding for arts education in schools.

Eat BBQ & Raise Money for a Good Cause

2009-03-30T10:42:00.005-04:00

Where else can you ride your bike for a good cause and chow down on some of the best barbecue around? Only at East Pasco Habitat’s Orange Blossom Special BBQ & Bike Festival, of course! Choose from individual, family fun or team rides of up to 62 miles through the hills around Dade City or along the Withlacoochee State Trail. Follow that with a fabulous BBQ lunch and live entertainment including country, gospel and fiddlers at the Dade City Business Center Festival Courtyard. The BBQ competition is officially sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association and includes cash prizes. There will also be crafters, civic booths and vendors and the Citrus History Museum will be open all day. To keep the kids entertained, there will be a Kiddie Corner with face painting, clowns and old‐time games. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit http://www.ephabitat.org/ for more info.

Winery Featured on Call-In Radio Show

2009-03-24T15:59:00.010-04:00

Wine lovers will want to check out a new call-in radio show featuring local wine expert Ron Hunt of Florida Estates Winery in Land O' Lakes. The show is broadcast online every Thursday at 7 p.m. Listeners can call in and "Ask Ron" about Florida wines. Visit the show's link here.

This weekend is also the vineyard's monthly Wine Festival & Market, including a yummy sampling of Florida wines. The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and includes vendors offering sauces, arts & crafts, jewelry and plants, plus live music. Meet the winemaker (Ron) and sample some of his latest creations. The winery is located four miles west of I-75 on State Road 52. Visit the website here.

Pasco Featured on Visit Florida Website

2009-03-09T14:28:00.016-04:00

Pasco County has gotten some great publicity recently from the state's official tourism site, VisitFlorida.com. The Visit Florida site has been ranked the No. 1 travel site in the country by a number of different experts and being featured on the site is a nice shout-out for events and attractions in Pasco.

St. Petersburg Times outdoor writer Terry Tomalin recently posted an item on "Hiking, Paddling and Biking" in Pasco County. You can read his article here.

Authentic Florida Expert Lucy Tobias recently made a trip to Dade City for the Kumquat Festival and also dined at Lunch on Limoges. Check out her writeup on the festival here and her review of Lunch on Limgoes here.

Unrelated to Visit Florida, but still great publicity for Pasco attractions, St. Pete Times writer Barbara Fredricksen recently did a nice piece on the beautiful murals in downtown New Port Richey that depict scenes from the city's glamorous Hollywood past. Read it here and check back to Adventures of a Pasco Tourist frequently for more fun features on Pasco County!

Little Everglades Steeplechase Thunders Into Town

2009-03-03T13:06:00.016-05:00

Dade City ‐ It was recently named Best Attraction in Florida by Florida Monthly magazine and now it’s returning for another exciting year of pageantry at the 2,000-acre Little Everglades Ranch north of town. With its elegant lawn boxes and "parties on the homestretch,'' the Steeplechase takes place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 8. It is the largest steeplechase event in Florida, with a purse of more than $45,000. This year, downtown Dade City will welcome the event with the first‐ever Steeplechase Parade on Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m., followed by a BBQ with music at nearby Agnes Lamb Park to benefit the Dade City Youth Council.

For the uninitiated, the steeplechase is way more than just horses running and jumping, although that is very cool. Spectators can check out the Parade of Hounds by South Creek Foxhounds, the popular ‐ and hilarious ‐ Jack Russell Terrier Races and the Hat Contest featuring prizes for most unusual and most elegant.

To view an award-winning video on the event, A Day at the Races, click here.

For a complete race day schedule and tickets, visit the Steeplechase website

Championship Rodeo Returns to Fair

2009-02-02T16:13:00.015-05:00

The dirt will be flying as cowboys and cowgirls ride again at the Fourth Annual Pasco County Fair Rodeo on Friday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City. Admission to the rodeo is free with admission to the 62nd Annual Pasco County Fair, which runs from Feb. 16 to Feb. 22. The fair offers something for everyone, including arts and crafts, beauty pageants, livestock shows, entertainment, great food and, of course, the famous midway rides.

Here's the complete scoop on the rodeo from the fair website, along with some great photos:

Friday night's rodeo is being billed as "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" night in support of breast cancer awareness. Charlie Lowery of 4-L Rodeo will bring his top rodeo stock to challenge professional rodeo riders in performances that are sure to excite audiences of all ages. Sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association and Professional Women's Barrel Racing, the rodeo will include the events of bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, bullriding, and barrel racing.

Junior barrel races will be open to local participants. The junior barrel races will follow the professional women's event. There will also be rodeo clowns and other specialty acts. For complete details on the rodeo and the fair, visit the fair site.

Time for Dade City's Annual Kumquat Festival

2008-12-30T14:18:00.009-05:00

If you’ve always wanted to try the tiny citrus fruit called a kumquat, now is your chance. The Greater Dade City
Chamber of Commerce will host the 12th Annual Kumquat Festival in downtown Dade City on Saturday, Jan. 31.

The event celebrates the harvest of kumquats, a sweet and sour fruit that can be eaten skin and all but tastes best as part of a yummy kumquat pie. The festival is held in the heart of Dade City’s historic downtown and includes more than 200 arts and craft booths, live entertainment, a farmer’s market, wagon rides, antique fire trucks, a car and truck show, beauty contest and recipe contest.

For a full schedule of events, visit the festival site at
http://www.kumquatfestival.org/ or call the chamber at 352‐567‐3769. For a complete list of kumquat recipes, including kumquat pie and ice cream, visit www.kumquatgrowers.com/recipes.html

Also, if you are planning to attend the event, be sure to check out the great event rates at Hampton Inn Dade City.

Pasco Hosts Powerman Florida in San Antonio

2008-12-09T14:54:00.023-05:00

It was a great day to run, bike and run some more through the hills of San Antonio on Saturday. More than 200 top athletes from around the United States and Canada and as far away as Denmark and South Africa participated in Powerman Florida, the sole qualifying event in Florida for the 2009 World Championship in Switzerland. Powerman returns to Florida after a hiatus of more than a decade. The event was co-sponsored by the Pasco County Sports Commission, Florida Sports Foundation and Exclusive Sports Marketing. Powerman is a grueling competition known as a duathlon: 8K (5 mile) run followed by a 53K (33 mile) bike race and another 8K (5 mile) run. The event also included a shorter Powerman Sprint, which covered half the distance of the main event.
Professional athletes were among the weekend competitors, including five-time Ironman champion Heather Gollnick, Powerman Malaysia champion Jason Spong and the reigning US Elite National Duathlon Champion, Anne Curi Preisig. To learn more about Powerman, visit http://www.powermanflorida.com/

Skydivers jump for Thanksgiving Boogie

2008-12-04T13:45:00.003-05:00

More than 380 jumpers from 19 countries came to Zephyrhills last week for Sky Dive City's annual Thanksgiving Skydive Boogie. Although the numbers were down a bit this year, jumpers completed more than 4,000 successful skydives, according to manager T.K. Hayes. Skydive City is one of the world's premier drop zones and the Thanksgiving event has been going on for 40 years. Check out the full story at Zephyrhills News or find out more at the Skydive City site.
(photo courtesy of Zephyrhills News)

Thanksgiving Weekend Packed with Adventure

2008-11-25T08:09:00.013-05:00

Not in the mood for the usual round of Thanksgiving Day parades and football? Want a little more action in your holiday weekend? Well, Thanksgiving is an action-packed time of year in Pasco County. Would you believe this area will host a sky diving extravaganza, cricket tournament, foxhunt AND an appearance by a NASCAR favorite all in one weekend? Check out the details below and have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Thanksgiving Sky Dive Boogie & Turkey Meet is a high-altitude tradition at Sky Dive City in Zephyrhills. Hundreds of the best jumpers from around the world come to east Pasco to compete for fun, prizes and the admiration of fellow jumpers. Spectators can enjoy the thrill of eight, ten and 16-man jump competitions, plus a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. The boogie actually started last week and continues through Sunday.

If race cars are more your style than jumping out of airplanes, consider the David Reutimann 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament & Auction at Silverado Golf & Country Club in Zephyrhills. Reutimann is a Zephyrhills native and NASCAR favorite who hosts a cookout and auction of NASCAR and other sports team memorabilia to benefit a variety of Florida charities. The cookout and auction is Friday and the golf tournament is Saturday. For more information, call 813-788-1225.

Cricket is not a sport you hear too much about in the Tampa Bay area. But that could change as the Wesley Chapel Cricket Club has been generated a lot of buzz for the sport in recent months. The club will host its first Tampa Bay Thanksgiving Cricket Festival on Saturday and Sunday at Wesley Chapel District Park. Not sure what this bat-and-ball-style game is all about? Check out these articles on the club that appeared recently in the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune. Get full details on this weekend's tournament at the cricket club website or call 813-994-8481.

Finally, we might have to root for the fox in this one but a new event to this area is the opening meet of the South Creek Foxhounds at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City on Saturday. South Creek Foxhounds is the oldest foxhunt in Florida and the sport itself dates back to the early 1800s in Great Britain and Canada. In today's version of the hunt, according to the club's website, the fox is not killed. Whew. For information on the club or this weekend's hunt, visit the club website.

Whether you make it to any of these events or not, you can stay on top of all the events in Pasco County throughout the year at our online Events Calendar and Sports Calendar.

Farmer's Market & Book Signings This Weekend

2008-11-19T09:13:00.019-05:00

With cooler weather finally arriving, organizers of the successful Downtown Farmer's Market in New Port Richey are planning for even more vendors and cool activities this weekend.

In addition to the usual fresh produce, plants, herbs and teas, two local authors will sign their recently published works: Adam Carozza, author of Images of America - New Port Richey and Jim Rathbone, author of There's a Pirate in the Family. Also for sale will be Florida's Monuments & Memorials, a book that includes two New Port Richey sites, the George Sims Monument and the city's colorful downtown murals. For kids who wish to make their own Christmas gifts while their parents shop, a local church will offer arts and crafts activities.

Starting this weekend, the Saturday Farmer's Market moves to a new location, the newly renovated Railroad Square on Nebraska Avenue east of Grand Boulevard.

"The city did such a wonderful job beautifying Nebraska Avenue with Railroad Square, it made sense to put it to use,'' said Judy DeBella Thomas, executive director of Greater New Port Richey Main Street, which organizes the market.

For information on other downtown New Port Richey events, visit the Main Street website or call 727-842-8066. You can also check out the Pasco Tourism website and our Calendar of Events.

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Have a comment about Pasco Tourism or a suggestion for Adventures of Pasco Tourist? Click the "Comments" link.

VW Bugs Fill Pasco County Fairgrounds

2008-11-10T08:57:00.007-05:00

There were bugs of every shape, size and color at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City this weekend. Not the creepy, crawly kind - the cool and fun Volkswagen kind! Organizers estimate there were nearly 500 VW bugs, campers, dunebuggies and buses exhibiting at the 20th Annual Pasco Bug Jam, one of the largest shows of its kind in the U.S. Visitors came from all over the country and as far away as the UK and Canada. It was a beautiful day and a fun event. Plus, all proceeds benefit All Children's Hospital. Cans of food were also collected for the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank. Check out these great photos from Pasco County's Kevin Jadick. To learn more about the Bug Jam, visit www.pascobugjam.com

Bug Jam Rolls Into Dade City This Weekend

2008-11-04T15:03:00.007-05:00

If you have never seen 400 Volkswagen bugs of every color gathered in one place, you can do exactly that this weekend in Dade City. Rumored to be the largest gathering of VW enthusiasts in the Southeast, the Pasco Bug Jam roars into town on Sunday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City. More than 400 vintage and new Volkswagens will be on display, along with VW collectibles, a swap meet, auction, games and live entertainment. Awards will be presented in multiple categories including Best Engine, Best Paint and Best Interior. They will even recognize the vehicle driven the farthest to participate in the show. Admission is $5 plus one can of food for the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank. For more information, visit www.pascobugjam.com

Find Unique, Independent Shops at Local Shopper Site

2008-10-14T14:52:00.008-04:00

If you're visiting Pasco County for the first time, you'd probably rather check out the unique, local shops around town than hit the same big-box stores you could find back home. If that's the case, then do we have a hot new site for you! Check out the Local Shopper at www.localshops1.com and you'll find plenty of locally-owned, indepdent shops in Pasco County and throughout the Tampa Bay area. It's free to browse and free to get listed so if you know of a great mom 'n pop shop or chic, indie boutique, send a note to shoplocally1@gmail.com and spread the local love!

We recently found a whole bunch of great new shops to check out, including a place that specializes in used records - remember those? Tunes, Tales and Treasures in Hudson also has turntables (gasp!) and a huge selection of used books, videos, DVDs and CDs. But that's just one of more than 500 shops listed on the site - everything from art, clothes and jewelry to tools, outdoor gear, flowers and more. In addition to browsing for new shops, you can post your comments on a local shopper's forum, sign up for contests and events and check out a wide range of locally-owned online shops. During these uncertain economic times, it's important to support the unique, local shops that make this area so special. Happy shopping!

Saddlebrook Receives Green Lodging Designation

2008-09-19T15:59:00.007-04:00

Congratulations to Saddlebrook Resort, which was formally designated a Florida Green Lodging property this week. For all you green travelers out there, this means Saddlebrook meets strict requirements set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for environmentally sound practices, including recycling in guest rooms, use of low-flow showers and toilets and linen reuse programs.
Saddlebrook is the second Pasco property to receive the Green Lodging designation and we are hoping many more will follow that lead. (The first was back in July when the recently opened Residence Inn Northpointe, located at the Suncoast Parkway and State Road 54 in Lutz, was designated as a Green Lodging site by the state.)

To find out more about Saddlebrook's commitment to the environment, click here.

To learn more about the state's Green Lodging initiative, click here.

Train Museum Now Open in Dade City

2008-09-11T09:44:00.009-04:00

If you are a train buff, a history buff or just looking for a fun day trip, check out the new Train Depot Museum in historic downtown Dade City. Operated by the Dade City Trolley Tour, the museum features an elaborate model train display, a real working train signal and tons of memorabilia from the early days of the railroads in Florida. Be sure to catch the excellent short film on the history of railroads, "A Tale of Two Henrys," on the lives of Henry Flagler and Henry Plant. Kids will enjoy ringing a real locomotive bell from the Savannah Central Railroad and seeing the lifelike "travelers" and train depot personnel stationed throughout the site. The depot was built in 1912 and until recently was a stop on the Amtrak line.

Visitors can come directly to the museum, located at Meridian Avenue and the US 98 bypass, or take the downtown trolley, which stops at the museum. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children ages five to 12 and children four and under are free with paid adult admission. For tour information, visit the Trolley Tour website at www.dadecitytrolleytour.com. And stay tuned for details on the museum's official grand opening later this fall!

Great Shots from Sky Dive City

2008-07-31T10:52:00.009-04:00

Check out this amazing photo from Skydive City's recent Tandem Jump Photo Contest. Kind of makes you want to jump out of a plane and see the sights for yourself, doesn't it?

If you aren't quite that adventurous, you can at least view a number of great photos at the drop zone's online photo gallery. And if you are getting ready to take the plunge, you can see how it's done by checking out one of the site's cool online videos.

Skydive City is one of the world's premiere skydiving centers and they draw jumpers and students from around the world. In business since 1989, Skydive City is carrying on the long tradition of high quality skydiving, training and fun that has been in Zephyrhills since the 1960's. Check them out at http://www.skydivecity.com/

Enjoy Music & Wine at Saturday Market

2008-07-24T10:48:00.009-04:00

The Saturday Festival & Market at Florida Estates Winery in Land O' Lakes is a great way to kick back, relax and enjoy great wine and music in a cozy atmosphere. Tucked under a canopy of oak trees, the winery sits in the middle of a 3,600-acre plantation and features a variety of locally-produced wines, as well as some made from grapes grown in the mountains of Chile.

The Saturday markets are free and include wine tasting and a variety of fresh produce, breads, cheeses and sauces, as well as plants, jewelry, orchids, pottery and other artwork. This weekend, Angelo Cook will entertain festivalgoers with light and classic rock.

The winery is located four miles west of I-75 off State Road 52. The Saturday Festival & Market is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The winery is open daily for tastings and tours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The winery also offers classes and is available for group tours and weddings. Sign up for their free newsletter or call call 813-996-2113.

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Great Deals in Downtown Dade City

2008-07-18T11:19:00.005-04:00

Looking for a good day trip for friends or family this weekend? Consider stopping by Downtown Dade City Main Street's Christmas in July event, which will feature sales and specials at these and other stores during their normal business hours Saturday.

Ivy Cottage Antiques & Wine Merchant will have a wine tasting from 2 to 4 p.m. and take 20 percent off purchases of more than $20.

Antiques on the Mainstreet will serve cheese and crackers from 2 to 4 p.m. and give a 20 percent discount for purchases of more than $20.

Lori Anne's will mark its 11th year in business by extending an 11 percent discount on nonsale items, plus 10 percent on regular-priced merchandise hanging on the walls.

The Picket Fence will celebrate its 13th anniversary by offering a 13 percent discount on all merchandise.

Church Street Shoppe is in its 15th year, so it will take 15 percent off nonsale items and 40 percent on large Christmas flags.

Kumquat Kuriosities is having a summer art sale with a 15 percent discount.

Four-Alarm Tan's grand opening will feature a cruise giveaway Friday and Saturday, plus free samples and snacks, and discounts on tanning packages.

Beef O' Brady's will host a "Thank You East Pasco" party starting at 5 p.m. outdoors featuring live music and giveaways.

Heavenly Treasures is offering a 10 percent discount on any itemin the gift shop; complimentary cup of Christmas tea; and other Christmas goodies. Join Miss Laurie (Mrs. Claus) and her staff of Elves in the dining room for a delicious lunch and a slice

The Green Apple is offering buy 1 pound, get one free on Boar's Head deli meats and cheeses. Limit one offer per customer.

The Coffee Mug Café will offer buy one, get one half off summer drinks.

Grapevine Antiques will offer 20 percent off all merchandise.

For more information, call Dade City Main Street Inc. at (352) 567-0284.

Dade City Trolley Finalist for Top Award

2008-07-10T08:46:00.013-04:00

Congratulations to the Dade City Trolley Tour, which was named a finalist this week for the prestigious Flagler Award, given out each year by Visit Florida at the Governor's Conference on Tourism. The award recognizes members of the tourism industry for unique and creative marketing campaigns and promotions, including special events, television spots, radio ads, print materials and websites.

The Trolley Tour was nominated for a very cool television commercial that was created last year by two students from the University of Tampa. You can view the 30-second clip at You Tube. The official announcement can be seen on the Visit Florida website.

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A Walk on the Wild Side - in Dade City?

2008-07-07T09:08:00.024-04:00

If you are looking for an exotic adventure close to home, consider a day trip to the wildlife sanctuary at Dade City's Wild Things Zoo. Just a 30-minute drive north of Tampa, the lush, 22-acre site is home to dozens of species of animals, including some that have been abandoned or neglected by their previous owners and many species that are endangered or threatened. One of the best things about Dade City's Wild Things is how close visitors can get to the amazing creatures that live there, including Bengal tigers, African lions, Florida panthers and North American black bear. Some people find it hard to see any wild animal confined to a cage but because the setting is so natural and the animals have space to roam, skeptics are often reassured by what they find. (To learn more about how some of the animals came to the zoo, click here. To adopt one of the animals and help pay for its care and feeding, click here.)

The zoo is an outgrowth of Stearns Zoological Rescue & Rehabilitation Center, a non-profit sancturary that provides lifetime care for rescued animals.
Kathy Stearns, the owner of the center, decided to open the site to the public for tours in September 2007. She also opened a zoo-themed gift shop in downtown Dade City that sells jewelry, photographs, t-shirts and educational toys. Many of the photos displayed at the shop are of animals from the zoo. Visitors pick up an old-fashioned trolley at the store, then ride to the center located just north of town, where they embark on a two-hour walking tour of the grounds. If you go, remember to wear comfortable walking shoes as the trails are rough and steep in some places.

The zoo is available for private tours, including tours during feeding time, birthday parties and weddings. Prices are listed below and group discounts are also available. In May, Stearns hosted what she hopes will be an annual fundraiser for the zoo, A Taste of Safari, which offered big donors private tours before other guests arrived. Stay tuned for details on other events and specials at the zoo.

Adult tickets are $22.95. (10 percent discount for those 55 and over.) Children ages two to 12 are $12.95 and children under two years old are free.

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Support Grows for Protecting Tourism Industry

2008-06-29T22:21:00.005-04:00

Two articles published in the past few days that may be of interest to anyone involved in the tourism industry, particularly in Florida:

Tourism Works to Keep Funds, The Lakeland Ledger, June 29, 2008

Supporters Line Up for Tourism Bill, Tallahassee Democrat, June 26, 2008

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Pasco Unveils Upper Cotee River Preserve

2008-06-24T12:16:00.013-04:00

Have you ever wrapped your arms around a 200-year-old piece of history? Pretty soon, visitors to the Upper Cotee River Preserve in central Pasco County will be able to do just that. The preserve is home to an enormous cypress tree estimated to be between 200 and 300 years old and listed in The Historic Places of Pasco County.

Experts believe the cypress may have been spared by loggers who cut down hundreds of similar trees in the early 1900s because the side of the tree was damaged by a lightning strike. Soon, the ancient cypress - and the rest of the 122-acre preserve - will be accessible to visitors through a network of hiking trails and boardwalks.

Pasco County purchased the property, located north of State Road 52 and east of Shady Hills Road, through its Environmental Lands Aquisition & Management Program or ELAMP. That means the property will be protected against development and preserved for future generations to enjoy and explore. The county recently received a 50 percent reimbursement of the acquisition costs from a Florida Communities Trust grant. Funds from the grant also will be used to complete the renovations and site improvements.

Volunteers and county staff have spent months clearing trails and renovating a house on the property to use as a nature center. Eventually, officials hope to link trails in the preserve to the nearby Suncoast Trial.

With dozens of species of birds and wildlife, including deer, wild turkey, gopher tortoises, barred owl and red-shouldered hawk, the Upper Cotee River Preserve is another great addition to the natural areas that make Pasco County such an attractive destination for bird-watchers and other nature-lovers. While the preserve is not yet open to the public, plenty of other parks and wilderness areas are. Visit Pasco Tourism to find places to hike, bike, canoe and camp.

Check out this report from Bay News 9 on the project and stay tuned to Adventures of a Pasco Tourist to find out when the preserve will be open to the public.

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Family Fitness Weekend Brings Athletes to Pasco

2008-06-18T09:15:00.023-04:00

What better reason is there to get up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning than to challenge yourself mentally and physically on one of the toughest fitness courses in the state? Or at least kick back and watch other, more qualified people challenge themselves on that course!

Hundreds of people did just that on a recent weekend in Pasco County. The Publix Family Fitness Weekend, held at St. Leo University on June 14 & 15, drew athletes and their families from around the state and as far away as Kentucky, Louisiana and Hawaii.

Participants swam 600 meters across Lake Jovita, biked ten miles around the campus and surrounding neighborhoods and ran three miles. Sound crazy? Well, guess what factor was cited as one of the best aspects of the course? The hilly terrain of east Pasco County, making it one of the most challenging courses in the state.

"The landscape in Pasco presents a unique challenge to those who are accustomed to flat bike courses,'' explains the event website. "The rolling hills of Pasco County are a favorite for amateur and professional athletes. This 10-mile bike course is going to challenge everyone from amateur to professionals. With so many athletes used to flat, fast-paced bike courses, this should be one exciting bike race.''

That kind of rave review from athletes and event organizers has helped Pasco County become one of the most up-and-coming sports destinations in the country.

Already, the county hosts dozens of events throughout the year, including championship lacrosse, tennis, golf, bowling, figure and speed skating. Many more sporting events are in the planning stages.

One recent addition to Pasco's fall lineup is Powerman Florida, to be held on Oct. 4 in San Antonio. Powerman is a world-class duathlon (run, bike, run) series and Powerman Florida will be the first qualifying event for the Powerman World Championships in Switzerland.

Stay tuned to Pasco County's Sports Page for the latest additions to the Sports Calendar and check out more photos from the Sprint Kids' Triathlon at the Family Fitness Weekend below.

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Hollywood Legends On Pasco's Cotee River

2008-05-29T15:00:00.018-04:00

Most people assume they have to travel to Hollywood - or at least Universal Studios Orlando - to get a glimpse of the movie star lifestyle. What many in Pasco don't realize is that we have a little bit of star dust right here at home and it can be found along the banks of the Pithlachascotee River, which winds through historic downtown New Port Richey.

In the early 1920s, celebrities like Shirley Temple, Greta Garbo and Charlie Chaplin came to Florida for the great weather and glamorous parties in places like New Port Richey's Hacienda Hotel. A few even built homes here and one of the best ways to see those homes is aboard the Miss Daisy II, the 49-passenger pontoon boat that docks at the Seaside Inn Restaurant off U.S. 19 in Port Richey.

The two-hour river tour takes visitors past homes once owned by silent film stars such as Thomas Meighan and Gloria Swanson. Baseball great Babe Ruth had a spring training residence here, as did Shirley Temple, whose $1.7-million Spanish-style home is pictured at left. June Carter Cash spent her winters at a home on the Gulf of Mexico in Pasco. The Miss Daisy's Capt. Ray Kelly will even show passengers his copy of an old black-and-white photo of Johnny & June Carter Cash enjoying a fishing trip at one of the stilt homes still standing today.

The Miss Daisy is a great way to see the riverfront and tiny islands that dot the Pasco coast, including Durney Key, a popular spot to camp, dig for shells, picnic and sunbathe. You can grab a great lunch at a number of riverfront restaurants, including the Crab Shack, Fatty 'n Mabel's, Hooters or Catches Seafood. The Miss Daisy is available for private groups, special events and sunset cruises. Reservations are strongly recommended. Adults are $19; children are $12. Discounts are offered for groups of 26 or more. For more information, visit http://www.missdaisyboattours.com/ or call 727-819-1754.

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Destination Pasco: Discover the Hot Spots in Your Own Back Yard

2008-05-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

When your job is to promote tourism in Pasco County, invariably some wise guy will ask, "Tourism in Pasco? What on earth is there for a tourist to do in Pasco County?" Anyone asking that question simply hasn't been paying attention.

Where else can you step out of a plane at 13,000 feet one day and recharge at a world-class resort and spa the next? Paddle your canoe past homes once owned by Hollywood starlets in the morning and dive for sunken treasure in the afternoon? Only in Pasco can you tour what was once the largest citrus packinghouse in the world or visit a tiny town also known as "Kumquat Capital of the World."

At the Pasco Office of Tourism, our job is to draw attention to all of the unique attractions that make our area such a great alternative to the typical theme park experience. In "Adventures of a Pasco Tourist," we will highlight the best of what this part of the Suncoast has to offer, from strolling for antiques in historic downtown Dade City to scoping out the baby bald eagles and black-bellied plovers at Anclote River Park.

For this first installment, check out Pasco County's mention on a list of unique or quirky things to do in Florida. Sky Dive City in Zephyrhills was chosen as one of only 20 destinations profiled as part of Visit Florida's "Been There, Haven't Done That" campaign. View the entire list at http://visitflorida.com/beenthere

Until next time, happy travels and please send your ideas and suggestions for our next great Pasco Adventure! Email us at tourism@pascocountyfl.net or call the office at 727-847-8129.