Land O’ Lakes Swampfest 2016: What to Know Before You Go

LAND O’ LAKES, FL – The biggest annual event in Land O’ Lakes just got even bigger.

Land O’ Lakes Swampfest, the community’s annual fall festival, will start a day early this year. The 2016 Swampfest will start Thursday, Nov. 3 with a Preview Night of the event’s new midway. Other new features this year include a dunk tank and a kickball tournament.

Here’s what area residents need to know before you go to Land O’ Lakes Swamp Fest 2016.

Dates and Times

The 2016 Land O’ Lakes Swampfest is scheduled to begin on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 5 to 10 p.m. It will continue on Friday, Nov. 4 from 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 5 from noon to 11 p.m. and finish Sunday, Nov. 6 from noon to 6 p.m.

Location and Parking

Land O’ Lakes Swampfest takes place at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. (U.S. Highway 41). Parking is $5 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Preview Night

This is the first year that Swampfest will feature a preview night on Thursday, Nov. 3. The “rides only” event will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. and parking is free.

Tickets

Admission is free to Swampfest 2016. Onsite ride armbands are $25 and can be purchased starting Thursday, Nov. 3. Pre-sale ride armband tickets are $15, and are available at the following locations:

• Land O’ Lakes High School Cheerleaders
• Sunlake High School guidance office, 3023 Sunlake Blvd.
• Sanders Elementary School, 5126 School Road
• Pine View Middle School, 5334 Parkway Blvd.
• Sugar and Spice Learning Center, 3508 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
• Beef O’Brady’s Land O’ Lakes, 21539 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive
• Beef O’Brady’s Sun Lake, 18835 State Road 54, Lutz
• Beef O’Brady’s Lake Wilderness, 7040 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, Unit 108

Community Benefit

Land O’ Lakes Swampfest, hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Athletic Booster Club, is a community-wide fundraiser that benefits area schools, non-profits, community groups and local businesses.

Swampfest Kickball Tournament

New for 2016 is the first-ever Swampfest Kickball Tournament, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 5 with a starting time to be determined. Registration is $120 per team with up to 11 members. Teams can be co-ed. For information about registering, visit Vicky King at Land O’ Lakes High School Room 608 or e-mail her at vking@pasco.k12.fl.us. Registration forms are due by Thursday, Nov. 3.

The Ultimate Dunk Tank

Also new at Swampfest 2016 is The Ultimate Dunk Tank. Land O’ Lakes High School coaches and athletic trainers will be making a big splash in the dunk tank all weekend long.

Entertainment

The following acts are scheduled to perform at Land O’ Lakes Swampfest 2016:

Friday, Nov. 4

• 6 p.m. – Family Fun Magic
• 8 to 10 p.m. – Stonegrey

Saturday, Nov. 5

• Noon to 1:30 p.m. – Vincent Randazzo
• 2:30 to 5 p.m. – Nunes At Night
• 7 to 11 p.m. – DJ Carlos

Sunday, Nov. 6

• Noon – Nicole’s Dance Center
• 1 p.m. – Show on the Road Tampa
• 3 p.m. – Suncoast Dance

Midway and Rides

According to the Swampfest website, Swampfest organizers have hired a new carnival company for the 2016 event. In an effort to provide amusements for all ages, Arnold Amusements will provide the midway rides and experience this year, with more games and upgrades to the selection of rides.

Vendors

The vendors scheduled to appear at Swampfest 2016 include:

• Dippin’ Dots
• World Champion Center
• M & M’s Imaginarium
• Great Clips, Arbor Square
• Pasco Heritage 4H
• Irena’s Heating & Cooling
• Green Shirt Ladies Relay for Life
• Rick & Lisa Ward, Realtors
• WC Land O’ Lakes Rotary
• Land O’ Lakes High School Interact Rotary
• OneBlood Mobile
• Pasco County Master Gardeners

For more information, and for sponsorship and vendor applications, visit www.lolswampfest.com.

Patch file photo