Fourth of July will blast off today

An official says the party will start, come rain or shine.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN
Published June 30, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - The Kiafest Main Street Blast will go on today, "rain or shine, " said Judy DeBella Thomas, executive director of New Port Richey Main Street, organizer of the festivities.

Events kick off at 4 p.m. and continue nonstop until 11 p.m. on Grand Boulevard from Main Street to Missouri Avenue - unless it rains, of course, in which case, "We might have a pause and cover the sound equipment, " Thomas said.

"The rain for the past couple of days has been short, or come and go, " she said. No reason to call off a long-planned, activity-filled event just for a few raindrops, she figured.

The only for-sure pause will come just after dark for the main event: fireworks in and around Orange Lake.

The Blast kicks off at 4 p.m., when singer Victoria K. gives a tribute to U.S. troops, followed by the annual Miss Firecracker contest, both on the main stage just north of Grand Boulevard and Nebraska Avenue.

At 5:30 p.m., the power-pop band the Edisons start the live entertainment on the stage, followed at 8:30 p.m. by the Classic Rock All Stars (Peter Rivera, Mike Pinera, Jerry Corbetta and Dennis Noda) doing the songs the groups they once played with made famous: I Just Want to Celebrate, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Green-Eyed Lady and other hits from the 1960s and '70s.

Other events will be going on elsewhere, including the Sunset Corvette Club car show from 4 to 8:30 p.m. along the street and in nearby parking lots, and the SPCA's Pup Strut in Cavalaire Square from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with live entertainment after that.

Food vendors will be selling all kinds of festival and specialty treats.

After the fireworks, the Classic Rock All Stars will resume playing until 10:30 p.m.

Admission is free.

[Last modified June 29, 2007, 22:44:56]