Miss Firecracker, classic rock fuel early holiday festivities

Don't wait until Wednesday for the Fourth.

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, 21:40:15]