Community Corner
Go Wild at Pasco EcoFest
Our schedule of EcoFest activities will help you get the most out of the three-day event Nov. 9-11.
It’s time to get wild in Pasco County.
Pasco EcoFest is three-day festival that puts a spotlight on West Pasco parks and what you can do in and around them.
It starts Friday, Nov. 9, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 11.
Find out what's happening in Land O' Lakeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The festival features more than 50 activities spread out across West Pasco parks and sites in New Port Richey. Almost all activities are free.
The slate of activities includes kayaking, hiking, riverboat rides, drum circles, dancing on the beach, the first-ever food truck rally in New Port Richey, an eco market, educational workshops and talks, a pet adoption fair and geo-caching challenges.
Find out what's happening in Land O' Lakeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
This is the second annual Pasco EcoFest.
twin sisters who live in New Port Richey, organized the event this year. Greater New Port Richey Main Street and Fine Arts of the Suncoast produced this year’s event.
“The whole idea of this event is to highlight Pasco County,“ said Kacey Atkinson.
Here’s most of what’s on the agenda. For more information and a full schedule, check out the EcoFest website. Activities listed are free, unless otherwise noted.
Nov. 9 Activities
Ecofest kicks off with a hike through Pasco Palms Preserve
Time: 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Pasco Palms Preserve, Strauber Memorial Hwy Beacon Square, FL 34652
Live music, Kids Fun Zone, BBQ and Arts and Crafts in Sims Park
Time: 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, Grand Blvd and Bank St, New Port Richey
Local artists display in downtown New Port Richey, including representation from the West Pasco Art Guild, Progress Energy Art Gallery, Chasco Camera Club and more.
Time: 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Location: Peace Hall, across from Sims Park
Nov. 10 Activities
Saturday is Cacher Day! The GeoFest Biker’s Poker Run and Hiker's Poker Run are challenges for those that plan on trekking on wheels or foot.
Time: Registration opens at 9 a.m.
Location: J B Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey,FL 34655
Think you can succeed at the orienteering challenge? “’Orienteering’ is the sport of using a compass to navigate your way between checkpoints along an unfamiliar course,” according to the EcoFest website. The GeoFest Orienteering Challenge is part of Geocacher Day and offers three separate routes.
Time: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location: J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey
West Pasco Audubon Society members take folks on a trek in Starkey Park and point out seasonal birds.
Time: 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Location: J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey
Journey through a diverse Florida ecosystem to learn about the things that grow there.
Time: 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Location: J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey
Learn to make flags with Suzi Herman
Time: 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Location: J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey
Nathaniel Whitmore, an herbalist from Pennsylvania, gives a lesson on herbal medicine.
Time: 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Herb walk 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park
10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey
Get an up-close encounter with birds of prey.
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Audubon Birds of Prey Center presentation at noon.
Location: J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey
Information about eco-friendly resources in Pasco.
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Starkey Wilderness Park (Education Center), 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey
Local artists display in downtown New Port Richey, including representation from the West Pasco Art Guild, Progress Energy Art Gallery, Chasco Camera Club and more.
Time: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Location: Peace Hall, across from Sims Park
Down South Kite & Paddle Board will take folks paddle boarding on the Pitlachascotee River.
Time: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 pre-registration; $35 day of event
A showcase of local “green” businesses and organizations. There are also talks and demonstrations about eco-friendly subjects.
Time: 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Location: New Port Richey Public Library (5939 Main St., New Port Richey, Fl)
Flow Yoga owner gives instruction in Frances Avenue Park.
Cost: $5
Time: 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
Location: Frances Avenue Park, Frances Ave, New Port Richey, Fl.
Experienced paddler Ed Lawlor, owner of Peace-Love-Paddle, will take folks on an excursion on the Pithlachascotee River.
Cost: $10 (Rental charge extra)
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Sets off from kayak launch at James E. Grey Preserve, New Port Richey
Experienced paddler Ed Lawlor, owner of Peace-Love-Paddle, will take folks on an excursion on the Pithlachascotee River.
Cost: $10
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Sets off from kayak launch at James E. Grey Preserve, New Port Richey, Fl
New Port Richey’s first –ever food truck rally, featuring Renny’s Oki Doki, The Dude and His Food, Hott Mess, 3 Suns Organic Bistro, Maui Mama’s, Graffeaties, and Michelle Faedo’s On The Go.
Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St, New Port Richey
Learn about West Pasco history while taking a trip down the Cotee on the Miss Daisy II
Cost: $8
Departure times: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 pm, 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, South Dock
Live music, Kids Fun Zone, BBQ and Arts and Crafts in Sims Park
Time: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, Grand Blvd & Bank St, New Port Richey
Help animals find forever homes.
Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St,
New Port Richey
Explore the middle reaches of the Cotee on foot with Katie MacMillen from the Environmental Lands division of Pasco County.
Time: 3:15-4:30 p.m.
Location: Starkey Wilderness Park
• Drumming and Dancing at Anclote River Park
An evening of drum circles, dancing, workshops and Eco Troubadors.
Time: 3 p.m. to midnight. Drum Circle starts at 6:30 p.m. See the EcoFest page for detailed schedule of workshops.
Location: Anclote River Park, 1119 Baillies Bluff Road, Holiday
Nov. 11 Activities
Experienced paddler Ed Lawlor, owner of Peace-Love-Paddle, will take folks on an excursion on the Pithlachascotee River.
Cost: $10
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Sets off from kayak launch at James E. Grey Preserve, New Port Richey
It's Family Day at GeoFest! The geocache Kids Cache Hunt those children 12 years old and younger. The Design-A-Cache Challenge has participants creating a cache that’s a little out of the ordinary.
Time: Registration opens at 9 a.m. Kids Geo Cache Challenge ends at 4:30 p.m. Design Challenge ends at 5 p.m.
Location: J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park
10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey
Learn to make flags with Suzi Herman
Time: 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Location: J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey
Local artists display in downtown New Port Richey, including representation from the West Pasco Art Guild, Progress Energy Art Gallery, Chasco Camera Club and more.
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Peace Hall, across from Sims Park
Learn about West Pasco history while taking a trip down the Cotee on the Miss Daisy II.
Cost: $8
Departure times: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 pm, 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Location: Sims Park, South Dock
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.