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Parade Saturday Helps Launch Chasco Fiesta

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By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: March 19, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - Hot-air balloons will be a casualty of the sour economy this year, but it's full steam ahead for the annual Chasco Fiesta street parade.

The 1 p.m. Saturday parade through downtown New Port Richey anchors the first week of activities for the fiesta, which begins tonight. Organized through the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Chasco will run through March 29.

Pasco's biggest community festival kicks off this evening at 7 with Native American Night in Sims Park. The Native American Festival continues for the duration of Chasco. Carnival rides also open this evening, near the park.

On Friday night, the Coronation Ball, put on by the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, will crown the new King Pithla and Queen Chasco.

The royal couple will lead Saturday's WellCare Chasco Fiesta Street Parade. Typically, tens of thousands of spectators line the route from Grand and Gulf boulevards to Orange Lake, around the lake to Bank Street and then west on Main Street to U.S. 19.

At least 140 floats and other units have signed up for the parade, said Roger Michels, in his 43rd year helping to organize the showcase event for the host group, Holiday Rotary Club.

The five hot-air balloons in the shape of popular cartoon and other characters will be missing from the lineup this time, Michels said.

"Those balloons are expensive," said Chasco Fiesta executive director Wendy Brenner. "They come all the way from California."

The cost to rent the balloons can escalate to about $14,000, Michels said

Helium to inflate them has been in short supply, which makes the gas more expensive, according to Brenner.

"This year our sponsorships are down," Brenner said, so the balloons were an easy way to trim costs. Plus, the balloons take a "multitude of volunteers" to handle, she said, especially if winds are gusty on parade day.

Michels said the parade this year appears to feature fewer professional floats in the lineup as businesses struggle through the recession. He expects no shortage of community spirit, though, with the parade still having a multitude of floats, some 17 marching bands and 27 area krewes.

Chasco attracts visitors who seek to have fun, but who also wind up boosting west Pasco County charities. Chasco Fiesta last year raised nearly $300,000 for 30 local nonprofit groups, Brenner pointed out.

CHASCO HIGHLIGHTS

• West Pasco Sertoma Beef BBQ - Today through March 22 in Sims Park
• Cotee River Lions Club Breakfast - 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Sims Park
• Chasco Main Street Mile (hosted by Gulf High School Athletic Boosters) - 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Grand Boulevard and Georgia Avenue,immediately before street parade
• Chasco Flea Market, Arts, Crafts & Antiques Sale (hosted by First United Methodist Church of New Port Richey - along Central Avenue on Saturday and Sunday .

• Chasco Children's Village (hosted by Junior Service League) - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Sims Park
• Talent Search Showcase - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Sims Park.

• Chasco Car, Truck and Bike Show (hosted by Gulfside Corvette Club and sponsored by Castriota Chevrolet) - 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Orange Lake
A full schedule is listed online at www.chascofiesta.com/Calendar.

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