Pasco County's largest event, the annual Chasco Fiesta, kicks off today and continues through March 28 in and around Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey.
Highlights include the Native American Festival, entertainment on the outdoor theater stage every night, a street parade, a boat parade, a car show, barbecues, specialty foods, and the Carol Stream Amusements' carnival, which is open daily.
Special events are:
TODAY-MARCH 28: Native American Festival with arts, crafts, food, dance competition, talks on culture and history; American Indian musicians and dancers on the main stage at 7:30 p.m. today. Hours are 5-10 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, and 5-10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; also West Pasco Sertoma beef barbecue.
FRIDAY: Radio Disney's Magical Night of Entertainment, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY: Children's village, 10 a.m.; Chasco street parade, 1 p.m.; Rock and Roll in the Park with Funky Bizness, 4-11 p.m.
SUNDAY: Car, truck and bike show, 8 a.m.; baby contest, 10 a.m.; talent showcase, 2-9 p.m.
MONDAY: Kiwanis Flea Market; bluegrass music with the Wildwood Valley Boys, 6 p.m.
TUESDAY: New rock music with Trip2Go, Soulfound, New Season, Shock Trauma and Feather Sound, 6-10 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Noche Latina with Orquesta Infinidad, 6:30-10 p.m.
MARCH 25: Rhythm and bluesmasters with Rick Derringer, Damon Fowler, Willie Lomax Blues Revue ($5), 6-11 p.m.
MARCH 26: Family night contemporary Christian music, with Andrew Peterson, Desert Rain, Heaven's Harmony ($5), 7-11 p.m.
MARCH 27: Chasco Country Concert with Joe Nichols (The Impossible, Broken Heartsville), Craig Morgan (Almost Home, Every Friday Afternoon), Jenna Thomas and Wiley Fox, ($22 Golden Square seating, $12 general admission), 7 p.m., gates open at 5:45 p.m.; Chasco Arts Fiesta, Chapspex Stamp Show; kayak races, 9 a.m.; Chasco Fiesta Boat Parade, 1 p.m.
MARCH 28: Concert band showcase, 2-4 p.m.; Suncoast Sampler tasting feast, $30 at the door, sponsored by Pasco-Hernando Community College Foundation at Gulf View Square Mall, U.S. 19, Port Richey.
Carnival and festival hours are 5-10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 5-11 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays; and 1-6 p.m. Sundays.
To reach Sims Park, turn east on Main Street off U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, continue over the Cotee River Bridge and look to the left. Admission is free. Some concerts charge admission.
