Get Ready For The Chasco Fiesta

Land O' Lakes residents looking for something different to do over the next week or so might want to get in on the fun at the Chasco Fiesta.

This is New Port Richey's biggest event of the year, but it draws visitors and participants from all over Pasco and beyond. The fun kicks off today, March 24, with Native American Night in the Park and will culminate with several events on Saturday, April 2, including a 5K sprint, kayak races, a boat parade and country music concert.

This long-standing tradition has been held every year since 1960 – with the exception of the great flood that affected the festival in 1993. 

The 11-day festival will include activities for everyone – children, artists, music lovers, athletes and more. But one of the main draws is the Chasco Fiesta Street Parade that will draw tens of thousands to downtown streets on Saturday, March 26.

“Our parade is one of the premiere parades throughout the area – right up there with Gasparilla," said Chasco Fiesta executive director Wendy Brenner.  "We attract a tremendous crowd, and, this year, we received about 160 entries, which includes about 50 floats, 18-20 bands, dignitaries and more.”

Initially, nonprofits pay Chasco an entry/participation fee of $300.  The organizations then pay Chasco 15 percent of their net profit up to a maximum of $1,000, which goes towards marketing, advertising and entertainment fees. 

Sponsorships were harder to obtain this year as a result of the faltering economy, Brenner said. 

“We were down quite a bit in sponsorship money," she said. "There aren’t a lot of large corporations in the area – like the ones that help sustain Gasparilla – so we rely on the smaller companies to help out.  When they are hurting, so are we.

 “The most important thing to remember is that this is for the nonprofits who support our community and offer their services all year round.  It’s not about the bottom line for Chasco; we raise just enough money to self-perpetuate so we can go on the next year," Brenner said. "But we do need to lend a hand to the charities that desperately need our help right now.”

Port Richey resident Cami Austin has been involved with the festival for almost two decades and is repeating her role again as festival chairwoman. Austin is responsible for every aspect, from hospitality to sponsorships to clean up.

“Chasco benefits approximately 30 local nonprofits," said Austin of Synovus Bank.  "For many of them, it’s their biggest fundraiser, and the monies generated from this single event sustains them all year long. It does your heart good to see the whole community come together, raise awareness, support these charities and generate some business for the city.”

Here is a rundown of events planned.  Please check the official Chasco Fiesta Events Calendar for updates and detailed information.

Thursday, March 24

• Native American Night in the Park featuring ‘Arvel Bird’ (Sims Park Amphitheater), 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
• Chasco Carnival -Runs through April 3- (Orange Lake, Sims Park), Mon - Th, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Fri, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sat, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sun, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
• West Pasco Sertoma Beef BBQ -Runs through March 27-  (Sims Park), Th, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Fri, 12 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sat, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun, 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

Friday, March 25

• Native American Pow Wow -Runs through Sunday, March 27- (North End of Sims Park), Fri, 7 p.m.; Sat, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sun, 12 p.m.
• Contemporary Christian Family Night  (Sims Park Amphitheater), 6 p.m.-11 p.m.
• Lighthouse Coronation Ball  (Spartan Manor), 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 26

• Chasco Main Street Mile (Schwettmann Education Center), 12:30 p.m.
• Cotee River Lions Club Breakfast - Runs through March 27- (Sims Park), 8 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Florida Blood Services Bloodmobile (Sims Park), 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Chasco Fiesta Flea Market, Arts, Crafts Village -Runs through March 27-(Parking lot corner of Circle Blvd. & Central Ave.), Sat, 9 a.m.-6pm; Sun, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Junior Service League Children’s Village (Sims Park) 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Chasco Fiesta Street Parade featuring Sand Soldiers of America (Parade route begins at Grand Blvd. & Gulf Drive and ends at Main Street & U.S. 19), 1 p.m.
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Tribute Day  (Sims Park Amphitheater), 1 p.m.-11 p.m.

Sunday, March 27

• Car, Truck & Bike Show  (Orange Lake at Sims Park), 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

•  Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll featuring Bobby Friss  (Sims Park Amphitheater), 1 p.m.-9:30 pm

Monday, March 28

• Bluegrass Music featuring Larry Gillis, Travis Chandler and Avery County  (Sims Park Amphitheater), 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.

Tuesday, March 29 

• Noche Latina featuring Supernatural  (Sims Park), 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

•  Chasco Bowling Tournament hosted by WPCC Young Professional Groups  (Lane Glo Bowl), 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 30

• Dancing Under the Stars  (Sims Park Amphitheater), 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Wednesday, March 31

• Rhythm & Bluesmasters  (Sims Park Amphitheater), 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Friday, April 1

• True Oldies Music (Sims Park Amphitheater), 6 p.m.-11 p.m.
• Chasco Fiesta Golf Tournament  (Fox Hollow Golf Club), 11:30 a.m. registration and 1pm shotgun start
• West Pasco Sertoma Chicken BBQ -Runs through April 2- (Sims Park Amphitheater), Fri, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sat, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Saturday, April 2

•  14th Annual Chasco Softball Tournament -Runs through April 3- (Veteran’s Memorial Park and W.H. “Jack” Mitchell Park)
• Suncoast 5K Sprint (Sims Park), 7 a.m. registration and 8 a.m. start
• Cotee River Lions Club Breakfast -Runs through April 3- (Sims Park), 8am-11am both days
• Kayak Races  (Pithlachascotee River at James E. Preserve, end of Sims Park), 8:30 a.m. registration and 9:30 a.m. start
• Children’s Pageant (Homewood Suites Hilton, Port Richey), 10am-3pm
• Ferman Chasco Fiesta Boat Parade  (Begins in Millers Bayou, Pithlachascotee River), 1 p.m.
• Country Concert (Sims Park Amphitheater), gates open at 5:45 p.m. and show begins at 6 p.m.

• Children’s Hearing Help Fund Chance Drawing to benefit Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation, held during the Country Concert (Sims Park Amphitheater), approximately 7 p.m.