TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Holiday On Main Street

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHERYL BENTLEY

The Suncoast News THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: December 6, 2008

New Port Richey's traditional holiday celebration will offer two weekends of holiday activities for children and adults in the Sims Park area.

"Entertainment and family-friendly fun always put us in the mood for the holidays," said Judy DeBella Thomas, executive director of Greater New Port Richey Main Street, the event's host.

Festivities will kick off this weekend with a full day of children's choral groups, photos with Santa, hayrides and children's art show from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. today.

At 6 p.m., the city's ninth annual River Lights Boat Parade will wind down the Pithlachascotee River from its Port Richey starting point to the bridge in New Port Richey. Last year, 42 boats participated in the parade.

From 5 to 9 p.m. Friday downtown stores will be open for shopping and strolling. The downtown area will feature carolers, hayrides and shopping specials.

In Sims Park, there will be two free showings of a family-friendly movie. Children are invited to decorate holiday cupcakes and cookies.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for photos with children at Halina's Interiors, 5346 Main St. There will be a free gift for the first 100 children and free movies while waiting.

Four-legged revelers can get pictures taken from 5 to 8 p.m. at Advanced Healthcare Alternatives, 5404 Main St. Pet owners also can shop for gifts for their animals.

All proceeds are for needy pets and go to food banks and animal rescue groups. Organizers will give free flu shots to anyone who brings a minimum of a 10-pound bag of dog or cat food.

At 7 p.m. Dec. 13, the city's 32nd annual holiday street parade will highlight a full day of activities. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., professional and amateur cake decorators can participate in a cake-decorating contest hosted by the New Port Richey Cake Club.
Genesis School students from kindergarten through fifth grade will perform "Singing and Dancing through the Holidays," a program of holiday music they've been working on since September.

The classic rock band Bone Yard Dogs will make their second appearance at a Greater New Port Richey Main Street event. Travis Redfish Project Band, a west Pasco favorite, also will appear.

Dixie Highway Band will highlight Dec. 13's entertainment. The five-member group will perform Southern rock and country after the parade.

Attendees can enjoy breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 14. There also will be live music and holiday entertainment from noon to 4 p.m.

Activities on Dec. 13 and 14 include arts and crafts, kayak and canoe rentals, and riverboat tours in the Sims Park area. A carnival will be held all three days of the weekend.

For information, go to www.nprmainstreet.com.

DEC. 13 SCHEDULE

11 a.m.-noon: Gotta Dance

12:30-2:30 p.m.: Travis Redfish Project Band

2:30-4 p.m.: Genesis School's "Singing and Dancing through the Holidays"

4:30-6:30 p.m.: Bone Yard Dogs

After parade: Dixie Highway Band

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT