Community Corner
Chasco Fiesta 2013: Event Schedule Roundup
The annual festival that is a tradition in New Port Richey has much to to offer.
Chasco Fiesta is returning to bring the fun downtown this year.
The celebration starts Friday, April 5, and continues through Saturday, April 13.
This year’s nine-day festival features fun for the young and old alike. Longtime fans and newcomers alike will find things to enjoy.
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Sims Park will play host to the fiesta's Native American Pow Wow and festival. You will find the festival’s carnival and Midway games, with attractions for both young and old. Live music will have you moving your feet.
The crowd-favorite Chasco Festival street parade will roll down Main Street to the delight of thousands.
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And that’s just a taste of what’s in store.
The first Chasco Fiesta was held in 1922. The festival has been held annually in New Port Richey since 1947. This will be the Fiesta’s 66th continuous year.
In addition to being a community event, Chasco bills itself as providing a venue for nonprofits to raise funds and attention for themselves. Kristen King, director of Chasco Fiesta, says more than 30 nonprofits benefitted from the event last year
Here’s the almost-complete schedule for the Chasco Fiesta festivities. For more information, visit the Chasco Fiesta website. Entry to almost all the events is free.
· Chasco Fiesta Native American Pow Wow and Festival
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Opens Friday and continues through Sunday, April 7
Location: Sims Park, Downtown New Port Richey
Why go? Visit a three-day festival featuring American Indian dancing, instructional demonstrations, wildlife displays and artists, vendors and craftsmen. See the Chasco website for a full line-up of Pow Wow events.
· Chasco Fiesta Carnival
Time: 5 p.m.- 11 p.m.
Opens Friday and continues every day through Saturday, April 13, although times vary.
Wristband costs: Mon-Thurs: $15, Fri-Sun: $20
Location: Bank Street, New Port Richey
Why go: Fun abounds with Midway rides and games, complete with a special area with rides for small children.
· West Pasco Sertoma Beef BBQ
Time: 12 p.m.-11 p.m.
Opens Friday and runs through Sunday, April 7.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Why go? It’s a tasty barbecue in which more than 15,000 pounds of beef will be served.
· Lighthouse Coronation Ball
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave, New Port Richey
Cost: $100
Why go? Celebrate community involvement at a ball in which one local philanthropists will be crowned as Queen Chasco and another local philanthropist will be named as King Pithla.
· Live Music: Contemporary Christian Family Music Night
Time: 6 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Cost: Free
Why go? Headliner For King and County will perform their music. The concert also features Shepherd’s View and Audea. See Chasco website for band appearance times.
Saturday, April 6
· Chasco Fiesta Street Parade
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Main Street, New Port Richey
Why go? It’s billed as the second largest street parade in the Tampa Bay area. The event will feature 147 units, among them 40 professional floats. The theme of this year’s parade is the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival on the east coast of Florida.
· Chasco Fiesta Main Street Mile
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Runs along the Chasco Fiesta Street Parade route
Want to sign up? Register at www.bigdawgrunnin.com.
· Cotee River Lions Club Breakfast
Time: 8 a.m.- 11 a.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
· Chasco Fiesta Flea Market and Arts and Crafts Village
Time: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Opens Saturday and continues Sunday, April 7
Location: Parking lot at the corner of Circle Blvd. and Central Ave, New Port Richey
Why go? Find local vendors at the market hosted by the Anclote High School Band Boosters
· Junior Service League Children’s Village
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Why go? Arts and crafts and face painting activities for kids abound.
· Live Music: Rock ‘N’ Roll Tribute in The Park
Time: 1 p.m.-11 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Why go? The concert features: Led-Hed, a Led Zeppelin tribute band, as the headliner. Also appearing will be Crossroads (an Eric Clapton tribute band), the Embry Brothers Band, Eric Anderson band and Three Guilty Pleasures Band. See Chasco website for band appearance times.
· Chasco Fiesta Native American Pow Wow and Festival
Time: 10 a.m. -9 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, Downtown New Port Richey
Why go? Visit a festival featuring American Indian dancing, instructional demonstrations, wildlife displays and artists, vendors and craftsmen. See the Chasco website for a full line-up of Pow Wow events.
· Chasco Fiesta Carnival
Time: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Location: Bank Street, New Port Richey
Wristband costs: Mon-Thurs: $15, Fri-Sun: $20
Why go: Fun abounds with Midway rides and games, complete with a special area with rides for small children.
· West Pasco Sertoma Beef BBQ
Time: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Why go? It’s a tasty barbecue in which more than 15,000 pounds of beef will be served.
· Chasco Fiesta Car, Truck and Bike Show
Time: 8 a.m. -2 p.m.
Location: Orange Lake, New Port Richey
Why go? See vehicles from the 1930s to the 1990s. There will be trophies given out.
· Live Music: Classic Rock
Time: 1 p.m.-9 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Why go? The concert features: China Grove (a Doobie Brothers tribute Band)). There will also be performances by the Shawn Paige Band, Time Bandits and Sunset Rebels.
· Chasco Fiesta Native American Festival and Pow Wow
Time: 10 a.m. -5 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Why go?: Visit a festival featuring American Indian dancing, instructional demonstrations, wildlife displays and artists, vendors and craftsmen. See the Chasco website for a full line-up of Pow Wow events.
· Chasco Fiesta Carnival
Time: 1 p.m.-8 p.m.
Location: Bank Street, New Port Richey
Wristband costs: Mon-Thurs: $15, Fri-Sun: $20
Why go? Fun abounds with Midway rides and games, complete with a special area with rides for small children.
· West Pasco Sertoma Beef BBQ
Time: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Why go? It’s a tasty barbecue in which more than 15,000 pounds of beef will be served.
Monday, April 8· Live Music: Youth Music Showcase
Time: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Why go? It’s your chance to hear music performed by local students.
· Chasco Fiesta Carnival
Time: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Location: Bank Street, New Port Richey
Wristband costs: Mon-Thurs: $15, Fri-Sun: $20
Why go: Fun abounds with Midway rides and games, complete with a special area with rides for small children.
Tuesday, April 9· Live Music: Bluegrass Music in the Park
Time: 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Why go? You can enjoy live bluegrass music from headliner Backwater. There will also be a performance by Mean Mary.
· Chasco Fiesta Bowling Tournament
Time: Registration: 5:30 p.m., Tournament starts: 6:30 p.m.
Location: 8631 Old County Road 54, New Port Richey
Entry Fee: $120 per team
· Chasco Fiesta Carnival
Time: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Location: Bank Street, New Port Richey
Wristband costs: Mon-Thurs: $15, Fri-Sun: $20
Why go? Fun abounds with Midway rides and games, complete with a special area with rides for small children.
Wednesday, April 10· Live Music: A Grateful Nation
Time: 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Location: Sims Park
Why go? You can enjoy bluegrass music from headliner Confederate Railroad. There will also be performances by Jenifer Lee and Neveah Peek.
· Chasco Fiesta Carnival
Time: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Location: Bank Street, New Port Richey
Wristband costs: Mon-Thurs: $15, Fri-Sun: $20
Why go? Fun abounds with Midway rides and games, complete with a special area with rides for small children.
Thursday, April 11
· Live Music: Blues Masters
Time: 6:30 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Why go? The concert features headliner Southern Hospitality. There will also be a performance by Julie Black.
· Chasco Fiesta Carnival
Time: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Location: Bank Street, New Port Richey
Wristband costs: Mon-Thurs: $15, Fri-Sun: $20
Why go? Fun abounds with Midway rides and games, complete with a special area with rides for small children.
Friday, April 12
· Live Music: Friendly Kia True Oldies Night
Time: 6 p.m.-11 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, Neew Port Richey
Why go? The popular Black Honkeys will be headlining the concert. The night will also feature performances from 60s Groove and Jonathan Cortez.
· Chasco Fiesta Golf Tournament
Time: Registration: 11:30 a.m., Shotgun Scramble: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, Trinity
Registration costs: See Chasco Fiesta Website
· Chasco Fiesta Carnival
Time: 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Location: Bank Street, New Port Richey
Wristband costs: Mon-Thurs: $15, Fri-Sun: $20
Why go? Fun abounds with Midway rides and games, complete with a special area with rides for small children.
Saturday, April 13· Pet Adoption Fair
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Orange Lake, New Port Richey
Why go: Several rescue agencies will be present to introduce humans to fur babies that are looking for Furever homes.
· Live Music: Country Concert
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Location: Pithlachascotee River in downtown New Port Richey.
Cost: Preferred Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 Day of the event. General tickets: $10 in advance, $15 day of. Tickets can be purchased at the concert’s TicketLeap page.
Why go? The Country Concert this year features Randy Houser. There will also be a performance by Desert Rain.
· Children’s Hearing Help Fund Chance Drawing
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, New Port Richey
Entry Fee: $75 per ticket
Why Go? Enter the raffle for a chance to win two NFL Buccaneer Club-Level Season tickets.
· Pickleball Tournament
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St, New Port Richey,
Entry Fee: $15 per player
· Chasco Fiesta Boat Parade
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Pithlachascotee River in downtown New Port Richey
Why go? Have fun watching decorated boats travel the river
· Chasco Fiesta Carnival
Time: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Location: Bank Street, New Port Richey
Wristband costs: Mon-Thurs: $15, Fri-Sun: $20
Why go: Fun abounds with Midway rides and games, complete with a special area with rides for small children.
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