Chasco Fiesta wraps up its 2011 edition

Another Chasco Fiesta has gone down in the history books as organizers look back on the 10-day festival that concluded Sunday.

The 2011 edition is the 65th year for the event since it became an annual fixture in 1947. The roots of the celebration go back to the 1920s.

Besides offering fun and food, Chasco Fiesta generates hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for local charities that participate. Highlights included:

Boat parade

Genesis Schools earned the $2,500 grand prize at the 2011 Ferman Chasco Fiesta Boat Parade on Saturday.

Students depicted the six Americans who raised the U.S. flag at Iwo Jima during World War II. The float also was dedicated to Native Americans who served as "code talkers" during both world wars.

Other winners in the profit or business category were:

• First place ($300) - Clearwater/Tarpon Springs RV Campground, with a theme about Dale Earnhardt Sr. and musical legends.

• Second place ($125) - Source One Marine, with the theme "The Legendary Gilligan's Island."

• Third place ($75) - Friendly KIA, True Oldies 106.3 and Miss Daisy Boat Tours, with the theme, "Legends in the Community."

In the nonprofit and schools category, winners were:

• First place ($300) - City of New Port Richey Parks & Recreation, with a theme based on the Elvis Presley movie, "G.I. Blues." The boat featured a half-scale M1 Abrahams tank featuring Elvis as himself in 1958.

• Second place ($125) - Rotary Club of Trinity, with a theme of "Legends of Freedom" featuring Uncle Sam, Betsy Ross, Lady Liberty, JFK, Rosie the Riveter and the American G.I.

•Third place ($75) - Gulf Harbors Yacht Club with the theme, "Legends of Rock 'n' Roll."

In the private, family or individual category, winners were:

•First place ($300) - Lakes, Berg and Berryhill families with a "Tribute to the NASCAR Legend Dale Ernhardt Sr."

•Second place ($125) - Brenner and Walker families featuring "Movie Legends" Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Liz Taylor, John Wayne and Natalie Wood.

•Third place ($75) - Mary Scicchitano and Shicky's Pocket featuring mythical legends traveling along the river on their chariots: Cupid, Atlas, Hera, Aphrodite, Medusa and Trojan Soldiers.

Cash prizes and plaques will be presented by the Rotary Club of New Port Richey on April 27.

Street parade winners

Throngs of people watched 130 units, including about 20 bands, march through downtown streets during the street parade hosted by the Holiday Rotary Club.

The winner of the most outstanding professional float went to Five Guys.

Judges picked Kirchner Remodeling as the outstanding nonprofessional float.

The professional best special effects winner was Step's Towing Castaways. The best special effects in the nonprofessional category went to the city of New Port Richey, which featured a replica tank that even fired.

Most entertaining award among professional floats went to the Krewe of Chasco. In the nonprofessional category, Genesis School was tops.

Winner for best out-of-town entry was the Krewe of Carnival.

The best use of color among professional floats went to Waste Systems with its pink garbage truck. In the nonprofessional category, judges deemed Jeffrey Stein had the best use of color.

King and Queen

About 330 people attended the 26th annual Chasco Coronation Ball to see Judith Koutsos crowned Queen Chasco and Charles "Chuck" R. Grey reign as King Pithla.

Koutsos was nominated by the Rotary Club of New Port Richey, where she has volunteered her time and talents for many years. She founded the Gateway Music Society. She has organized many fundraisers, such as fashion shows, folk festivals, spring concerts and a Chamber Ensemble, to list just a few.

Koutsos also belongs to Daughters of Penelope, of which she is president. She serves on the PACE Center for Girls board. She is treasurer for All Children's Hospital Foundation. She is organizing OPA NIGHT! where the money raised goes to North Bay Hospital Foundation, All Children's Hospital Foundation and other local charities. Koutsos has donated food and the use of the Spartan Manor to assist local nonprofit organizations.

Grey was nominated by Morton Plant Mease North Bay Hospital, where he has served as a board member since 2007. He has been very active in the Rotary Club of New Port Richey since 1985, including food prep co-chair for the Wild Game Dinner fundraiser.

In addition, Grey belongs to the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, where he has held many leadership positions, including president. He has participated in Relay for Life since 2001. He is a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, the city's CRA Advisory Board, the United Way and the Pasco County Planning and Zoning Board.

Grey has been awarded Realtor of the Year, Paul Harris Fellow New Port Richey Rotary Club, Eminent Pioneer Award from West Pasco Chamber of Commerce and military service awards, including Meritorious Unit Citation.

The annual benefit raised nearly $75,000 for the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind.

Race shirt design

Melissa Mision won the contest for the T-shirt design for the Chasco Main Street Mile Foot Race, held before the street parade.

The Gulf High School senior got to start the race.