Lots to enjoy during New Port Richey Founders Day

Overflowing with festivities, the New Port Richey event stretches to embrace a long weekend.

By BARB FREDRICKSEN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 27, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Brendan Fitterer | Times] Danielle McConnell reaches for a part to the merry-go-round from John Boy McGuire as they assemble the JCJ Amusements attraction near Sims Park in New Port Richey in preparation for the weekend's Founder's Day Celebration.

Greater New Port Richey Main Street has packed so much music, arts, crafts and food and so many events into the 10-year-old Founders Day Celebration that the "day" has been expanded to three days.

Friday, the carnival opens adjacent to Sims Park. Miss Daisy Boat Tours ($5) and Makai kayak and canoe rentals ($10-$15 an hour) start at the Pithlachascotee River dock in Sims Park and the NASCAR race car simulator opens.

Saturday and Sunday, there's live entertainment in Peace Hall and on the Sims Park amphitheater stage, the carnival, NASCAR simulator, arts and crafts, boat rides, kids' activities, antique engine demonstrations, master gardeners show and several special events.

Saturday, there's also the Nature Coast Florida Native Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to noon; the Classic Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Circle Boulevard; a tractor pull at 11:45 a.m.; a demonstration of quilting by the West Pasco Quilters from 1 to 4 p.m. in the West Pasco Historic Society museum; and a new event, "Picnic in the Park with Your Pooch," where dog owners and their pets will be given free picnic lunches by Suburban Feed and Pet Supply from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. around Orange Lake.

Don't have a dog, but want in on the fun? The SPCA will have pooches at the event and will take bids for the lunch with one of them, starting at $1.

New Port Richey Founders Day Celebration

• WHERE: Sims Park and Orange Lake one block north of Main Street in downtown New Port Richey
• WHEN: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
• TICKETS: Free. A $2 donation will be requested

Friday at Sims Park Main Stage

• 6-7 p.m.: Victoria K
• 7:30-11 p.m.: Dixie Highway band featuring John Wayne Wilkinson

Saturday at Sims Park Main Stage

• 11:45 a.m.: Renaissance Academy Drum Line
• Noon to 12:45 p.m.: "Gotta Dance" children's dance troupe
• 1-1:45 p.m.: Shannon, acoustic guitarist
• 2-4 p.m.: Lulu, musical performer
• 4:15-6:15 p.m.: Kat Turner, acoustic guitarist
• 6:30-7:30 p.m.: "Radio Girls," 1940s style singers
• 7:45-8:45 p.m.: The Rock-a-Fellas, rock-a-billy
• 9-10:30 p.m.: '60s Groove, true oldies

Saturday in Peace Hall-Folk Singing

• 1 p.m.: Open mic/round robin
• 2:30 p.m.: Star Bird, Celtic, mountain and traditional folk
• 3 p.m.: Ken & Trisha Brooks, foot-stomping folk
• 4 p.m.: Mike Jurgensen, contemporary folk

Sunday at Sims Park Main Stage

• 10 a.m. to noon: Gospel, Celtic and Appalachian folk music by Susan Boyer Haley

Sunday in Peace Hall

• 1 p.m.: Open mic/round robin
• 2:30 p.m.: Roseville Fare, guitar, Celtic whistle, mandolin, banjo
• 3 p.m.: Blind Willie James and David Lee Maxwell, folk, jazz, blues and gospel
• 4 p.m.: Bobby Hicks, Florida folk singer-guitarist

[Last modified September 26, 2007, 22:54:47]