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Blueberry Fest Today In New Port Richey

Scott E. Smith/The Suncoast News

Downtown's Inaugural Blueberry Festival ends at 5 p.m. today.

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By Scott E. Smith | The Suncoast News

Published: June 14, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY -- What's round, dark purple and is good for you too?

The inaugural Blueberry Fest and quarterly shop-n-stroll, presented by Greater New Port Richey Main Street, will take place from 10 a.m to 5 p.m., this Saturday, June 14, on the streets of historic downtown New Port Richey.

The downtown boosting group hopes the Blueberry Fest will become an annual event.

The committee chairman for the event, Jim Smetzer of Pasco Camera Exchange, invites everyone to come out and visit the stores and restaurants the downtown district has to offer, do some shopping and visit the vendors that will be set up along Main from Bank streets, east toward the library.

The day will begin, as with every Saturday; a farmers market in Cavalaire Square at 9 a.m. where freshly grown produce is available by local farmers.

Visitors can either take a horse drawn wagon, sponsored by Unique Trophies, or a van ride, courtesy of Friendly Kia from the downtown district to The Market on Main, which is east of Madison Street, where folks can purchase fresh blueberries and blueberry plants.

Aaron Dirksen of True Blue Propagation, a local company that grows and sells premium blueberry plants around the world, will be available to answer questions on how to raise and grow blueberries.

These days the blueberry, a native of North America, is on most lists of what are known as health-promoting "superfoods." The blueberry makes the list because it is high in nutrients and antioxidants.

The market will also serve freshly made blueberry crisp that includes vanilla ice cream.

Blueberry products such as blueberry cider, blueberry syrup and blueberry jams will be available to purchase.

From 11 a.m to 1 p.m. the market will host Cupcake the Clown, face painting and will be giving away free balloon animals to children. In addition, a guitarist and pianist will entertain shoppers.

Also at the market, Little League state baseball champions, "West Florida Young Guns," 8 years and younger, will sell chilled watermelon slices to help fund their trip to the world wide baseball tournament at Disney World, in Orlando.

Continuing the blueberry theme, various downtown restaurants will be featuring a menu item specifically created from blueberries.

Downtown merchants will be having sidewalk sales with some offering door prizes.

A local business, Makai Kayak and Kanoe, is offering three prizes consisting of two, four and six hour complimentary kayak trips along the Pithlachascotee River with registration at Progress Energy Art Gallery.

An art stroll, sponsored by the art gallery will feature more than seven, new and familiar arts and crafters displaying their original pieces of artwork along Grand Boulevard.

The art gallery will have wine tasting within the gallery where you can cool-off and stroll through the gallery to view artwork by 15 different artist members.

Included in the event will be over 20 trash and treasure vendors featuring Avon and Tupperware products, golf balls, Orchids and many more.

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