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The kumquat comethThe kumquat cometh
It's time again for the Kumquat Festival. Everyone's invited, but the fruit is the star. It's time again for the Kumquat Festival, where everyone's invited but the fruit is the star.
By GINA PACE
Published January 20, 2007
DADE CITY - Those familiar with the kumquat are used to seeing the tiny, tart fruit in jams, marmalade and pies. But Kumquat Deviled Eggs? Marge Vanyur set out to win over judges Friday at the Kumquat Recipe Contest at the Pasco County Fairgrounds with her unusual recipe. It uses tiny bits of the fruit in the egg yolk mixture. "I think it's good," Vanyur told a skeptic. "Afterwards, I licked the bowl." The recipe contest is the first event in the 10th annual Kumquat Festival, which culminates Jan. 27 with events like an arts and crafts show and entertainment on four stages. Judges pored over 32 entries Friday afternoon, the bulk of them desserts like Kumquat Cheesecake and Kumquat Cinnamon Rolls. The winners will be announced at the Pasco 4-H benefit dinner on Jan. 26. Marie Hammer, one of the judges, said she was looking forward to some of the more unusual options. "A lot of people don't think about how unique kumquats are," said Hammer, a retired University of Florida professor of nutrition and housing. "They are a very versatile fruit." Sunday is the Children's Parade and Family Fun Day. The festival had a children's parade last year, but there are more games and rides for children offered this year. The Kumquat Express, a barrel train for children, will make its first appearance. "The main event has arts and crafts and a farmer's market. An 8-year-old couldn't care less about that," said Joey Wubbena, one of the festival organizers who built the train. "We wanted to do something especially for the children." Gina Pace can be reached at 352 521-6518 or gpace@sptimes.com. KUMQUAT FESTIVAL Schedule of events Today: Miss Kumquat Scholarship Pageant, Pasco Middle School, princess competitions, 1 p.m. Miss Kumquat, Miss Orange Blossom and Miss Teen Kumquat competitions, 6:30 p.m., cost: $7 Sunday: Children's Parade and Family Fun Day, Agnes Lamb Park, 1 to 6 p.m., parade, 3 p.m. Thursday: Roger Swain lecture to benefit CARES, Dade City Women's Club, coffee and desserts at 6:30 p.m., lecture at 7:30 p.m., cost: $10 Friday: Kumquat Growers Open House, 31647 Gude Road, Dade City, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 4-H Benefit Dinner, Dade City Armory, 5 to 7 p.m., cost: $6 Jan. 27: Kumquat Festival, downtown, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information: Contact the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at (352) 567-3769 or visit www.dadecitychamber.org.
[Last modified January 19, 2007, 23:49:52]
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