Boat parade, concert to close Chasco Fiesta
NEW PORT RICHEY – Chasco Fiesta offers plenty to do in its final few days, including a boat parade and country concert on Saturday to help bring down the curtain on the nine-day festival.
“Proud to be an American” will serve as the theme for entrants in the Ferman Chasco Fiesta Boat Parade that begins at about 1 p.m. Saturday.
At last year’s Chasco Fiesta Boat Parade, the Genesis School won first place in its category. This yearís boat parade, with a theme of “Proud to be an American,” will start at about 1 p.m. Saturday. FILE PHOTO
New Port Richey Rotary organizes the event, which starts at Millers Bayou and continues along the Pithlachascotee River along the Sims Park waterfront.
The state’s oldest boat parade is adding a new wrinkle this year for spectators to vote for their favorite vessel. Boats will compete for the Express Employment People’s Choice Award, where visitors pick the winner by text message during the event.
On Saturday night, Gloriana will headline the Country Concert at the Sims Park amphitheater. “Can’t Shake You” and “Best Night Ever” are among some of the group’s latest singles. Brothers Tom and Mike Gossin joined Rachel Reinert in 2008 to craft songs that featured soaring vocal harmonies.
Jon Pardi and On Second Thought also will appear. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the concert.
Preferred seating costs $20 in advance or $25 the day of the show. General admission tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 the day of the show. Advance tickets are available at West Pasco Chamber of Commerce as well as Synovus Bank branches in Trinity and Port Richey. Call (727) 842-7651. Or buy tickets online at http://chascofiesta .ticketleap.com.
During the concert, Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation will announce the winner of a Bucs pro football tickets package worth $4,100 in the Children’s Hearing Help Fund Chance Drawing. Tickets are $75. The winner does not need to be present.
Saturday morning also offers lots of events. Making the Cut is a new event offering military-style fitness training 6 a.m. to noon at the James E. Grey Preserve.
The Special Olympics 5K and 1-Mile Walk will take place at 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., respectively, at New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St.
The softball tournament will take place at Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson.
For those working up an appetite, West Pasco Sertoma is serving chicken barbecue from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Saturday.
During the week, concerts at Sims Park will include A Grateful Nation from 6 to 10 p.m. today, Blues Masters from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday and the True Oldies Night from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday.
Friday features a golf tournament with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club.
For a full schedule, go online to the Chasco Fiesta website or call the chamber office at (727) 842-7651.
