TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Chasco Fiesta Adds Art Fest, Derby

ADVERTISEMENT

By CARL ORTH

corth@suncoastnews.com

Published: March 18, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - West Pasco County's biggest community event, Chasco Fiesta, is just around the corner.

The 2009 edition will run Thursday through March 29, with many events in the Sims Park area of downtown New Port Richey.

More than 30 nonprofit groups rely on the annual festival to raise funding for community projects, said Wendy Brenner, Chasco Fiesta executive director.

With the need greater than ever because of the recession, a Stock the Shelves food drive will collect donations of canned goods during the entire run of the fiesta in conjunction with United Way of Pasco.

"Thirty-six percent of the people accessing food pantries today are doing it for the first time," Carol Spicer, resource development director for the United Way of Pasco County, said in a statement. "The United Way 2-1-1 Helpline has seen a 40 percent increase in calls from individuals" seeking help.

Chasco visitors will be able to drop off canned goods at the food collection tent next to the information booth at Sims Park.

Pinewood Derby

New Chasco events this year include a Boy Scouts of America Pinewood Derby on March 28.

"As I recall from my days as a den mother," Brenner said, "the boys make their cars and race them on a miniature track."

The derby will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the former First Baptist Church parking lot on Circle Boulevard.

Wine And Art Festival

The first Chasco Fiesta Wine and Art Festival will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 28, around Orange Lake.

Rotary Club of Keystone Sunrise is staging the new event, with applications being accepted for exhibitor booths displaying ceramics, fibers, glass, graphics, jewelry, metal, mixed media, oil/acrylic, photography, sculpture, watercolors and wood.

This year the Art Festival is a non-juried event.

A wine vendor will provide free tastings and sell wine by the glass.

For information, call Ginny Pierce, the event chairwoman, at (727) 433-4073 or e-mail ginnypierce@mac.com. Entry applications are posted online at the Chasco Fiesta and Keystone Rotary sites.

"As long as we continue to have dedicated volunteers who are willing to perform all the tasks necessary to put on this event, then we will raise the funds necessary to perpetuate our legacy of giving," Brenner said.

A complete Chasco Fiesta schedule is online at www.chascofiesta.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT