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Chasco Fiesta Turns From Floats To A Flotilla

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The Suncoast News

Published: March 26, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - The annual boat parade will anchor the second weekend of activities in Chasco Fiesta 2009.

The community festival will continue through Sunday with a multitude of events, including a kayak race, wine and art festival, golf tournament, country concert and more.

Chasco organizers are asking that visitors bring canned food and other nonperishable groceries for the Stock the Shelves food drive to help the needy. Donations will be accepted at the tent at Sims Park through Sunday.
Boat Parade
"March Madness" is the theme of the 87th annual Progressive Air/Carrier Chasco Boat Parade, which will start at 1 p.m. Saturday on the Pithlachascotee River between Port Richey and New Port Richey. Thousands of people line the river in New Port Richey's Sims Park to get a glimpse of the flotilla.

"We are very excited to have country singer, songwriter and radio personality Chad Brock of WQYK as our grand marshal of music," Brent Simon, chairman of the boat parade, says in a written announcement.

Boaters will compete for the $2,500 grand prize for best decorated vessel. Application forms can be printed online at www.chascoboatparade.com or picked up at the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce office.

A special award will be given to the best band performing on floats. Battle of the Bands entrants include Yellow Submarine, Grease, Woodstock and the Village People.
Kayak Race
The Chasco Fiesta Norgard Insurance Kayak Race, presented by United Way of Pasco, is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Saturday at Port Richey Waterfront Park.

The entry fee is $25, or $35 for a tandem. Makai Kayak and Windsong Kayak Rental will offer special rates on kayaks for the event.

For information, call (727) 835-2029 or go online at www.unitedwaypasco.org/kayakrace.

Wine And Art Festival

The inaugural Chasco Fiesta Wine and Art Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday around Orange Lake.
Rotary Club of Keystone Sunrise is staging the new nonjuried event. A wine vendor will provide free tastings and sell wine by the glass.

For information, contact Ginny Pierce, the event chairwoman, at (727) 433-4073 or by e-mail at ginnypierce@mac.com.

Golf Tournament
West Pasco Chamber of Commerce will hold the annual Chasco Fiesta Golf Tournament on Friday at Crescent Oaks Country Club, Tarpon Springs.

The four-person scramble event will start with registration at 11:30 a.m. The $100 fee for each player covers lunch, greens fees, cart fees, dinner, prizes and more. Contact Tina Shelton at the chamber at (727) 842-7651 or tina@westpasco.com.

Chasco Challenge

The Alzheimer's Family Organization will present Chasco Challenge on Saturday at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. Nearly 500 participants will run, cycle, walk and skate in the benefit. Entrants can choose a 13.1 mile one-half marathon, 5K or 10K foot race, bicycle tours of 25K, 50K or 100K or one-mile walk/fun run.

Registration will begin at 6:39 a.m. The entry fee is $30, or $15 for anyone younger than 16. For information, call (727) 848-8888 or 1-888-496-8004.
Chasco Fiesta Calendar

For a complete list of Chasco events, go online to www.chascofiesta.com/calendar or call the chamber office at (727) 842-7651.
CHASCO FIESTA
Today

RHYTHM-AND-BLUES CONCERT: Encore Music presents rhythm-and-blues from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Sims Park amphitheater, 6341 Bank St., New Port Richey. Admission is $5.

NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL: Open from 5 to 10 p.m. at Sims Park. The event will include entertainment, vendors and live music.

CHASCO CARNIVAL: Open 5 to 10 p.m. at Orange Lake at Sims Park. Wristbands are $15 and $20.

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