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Colorful mix of festivals fills autumn weekends

The first, Bayfest Festival, is this weekend. Later dates feature crafts, jazz, cooters and lots of food.

By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published September 30, 2005

The fall season is here, if only by the calendar instead of brisk weather. That means outdoor festivals are beginning to appear, and this weekend's Bayfest Festival is up first.

Bayfest will be spread out over two days, Saturday and Sunday, and over two venues, Kings Bay Park on Saturday and Hunter Springs Park on Sunday, both in Crystal River.

Festivities get under way Saturday morning at Kings Bay Park, at the end of NW Third Street, with the blessing of the manatee and the dedication of an information kiosk at 11 a.m. The blessing of the manatee will take place at noon at the pier.

The rest of the afternoon will be filled with environmental displays. Participating groups such as the Audubon Society, Crystal River Preserve State Park, Crystal River Archaeological State Park, Friends of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and other organizations will exhibit wildlife information and, in some instances, have some wild animals to show off. Storyteller Fran Thomas will perform at 1 and 3 p.m.

The afternoon will be capped off by a musical performance from the U.S. Navy Band Southeast Brass Quintet. The band will play at 4 p.m. at Kings Bay Park. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on the ground.

The festival switches to Hunter Springs Park on Sunday with the Paddle the Bay Kayak Poker Run. Check out the Web site www.floridakayakcompany.com for race details. The Kiwanis, the Crystal River Community Redevelopment Agency and the Crystal River Waterfronts Florida Partnership are sponsoring the kayak ride as a fundraiser for scholarship funds for environmental education.

In other festivals and shows:

- The fifth annual Arts and Crafts Sale hosted by the Homosassa Lions Foundation will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Lions Club on Homosassa Trail. The sale will feature handmade items, including quilts, woodworks, copper and jewelry. Snacks and refreshments available. Free admission.

Here are festivals coming in the weeks ahead:

- Jazz Up Dunnellon features food and music in an outdoor setting from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 8. The food is Cajun and creole, available from street vendors. Music will be jazz and blues. Entertainers include Joe Michel Quintet, Valerie Levy, Nino Castenada, Rick Dahlinger Trio, Spectacular Gimmicks, Ocalaco, The Bluz Bustors, Liz Pennock & Dr. Blues, Dunnellon Male Chorus, and Saxaltation. Ocala Carriage and Tours will offer rides along the entertainment route. Capt. Mike's Lazy River Cruises will have 45 minute river trips on the hour from 3 to 6 p.m. at $10 per person. Motorcycles, antique and classic cars will be on display. Use Dunnellon Middle School off Cedar Street CR 40 for parking and ride the free shuttle to the library. The Dunnellon Area Chamber of Commerce sells $1 wristbands good for food discounts. For information, contact the chamber at 352 489-2320, or e-mail dchamber@atlantic.net or visit the Web page www.dunnellonchamber.org

- Cooterfest will be Oct. 28-30 in Inverness. Festivities include cooter races, a pedal tractor pull, human races, bicycle rides, barbecue cookoff, motorcycle run, historical tours, spooky Cooterween celebration and several other activities. Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard television series, will sign autographs on Friday and will perform with his band at the Great American Cooter Blast event Saturday. Jones performed at the first festival, with much fanfare. Jones also will bring the General Lee, the show's famous Dixie-playing car.

- The Discover Your Wildlife Refuge Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 on the grounds of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife office on Port Paradise Drive, next door to the Port Paradise resort in Crystal River.

This festival offers free boat rides to see the wildlife in Kings Bay, along with some wildlife exhibits, drawings for artwork, live music and food. Free admission and parking. In November, the outdoor festival season hits full stride, with the Festival of the Arts Nov. 5-6 at the Courthouse Square in downtown Inverness. The Festival of the Arts features hundreds of artists setting up tents around the historic Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, live music and food.

- The following weekend, Nov. 12-13, the Homosassa Arts, Crafts and Seafood Festival will be held in Old Homosassa. The festival is known for both a good turnout of artists and crafters, along with a mouth-watering food court that serves up a great variety of locally prepared seafood.

-- Jorge Sanchez covers arts and entertainment in Citrus County. Call 860-7313 or e-mail sanchez@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 30, 2005, 01:35:17]