☀️ Good Morning, Pasco!
Spring is officially in the air, and this might be the best weekend of the season so far. The rescheduled Kumquat Festival is finally here, the Renaissance Festival keeps rolling, there's a brand-new musical at Richey Suncoast Theatre, and Wesley Chapel has a night market, a car show, and a Saturday morning market all lined up. Grab the sunscreen and let's go.
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🎟️ 5+ Cool Things To Do This Weekend (Mar 5 - 8)
1) 29th Annual Kumquat Festival (Dade City)
📍 Historic Downtown Dade City
🗓️ Sunday, March 8, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
💲 Free admission. Free shuttle parking at Pasco County Fairgrounds (CR 52) and near Jarrett Ford (US 301).
Dade City's biggest event of the year is finally here! Originally scheduled for January but postponed due to high winds, the beloved Kumquat Festival takes over downtown with over 300 vendors, live music, a car and truck show, a Farmer's Market, a Quilt Challenge exhibit, kids activities at the Kumquat Kids Corral, and of course every kumquat treat you can imagine: kumquat pie, kumquat salsa, kumquat wine, and more. This one draws 40,000+ visitors, so arrive early.
2) The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition (New Port Richey)
📍 Richey Suncoast Theatre, 6237 Grand Blvd, New Port Richey
🗓️ Thursday, Mar 5 / Friday, Mar 6 / Saturday, Mar 7 at 7:00 PM / Saturday, Mar 7 & Sunday, Mar 8 at 2:00 PM
💲 Check theatre website for ticket pricing
An all-kids production of the hit Broadway musical, featuring songs by Panic! At The Disco, Cyndi Lauper, The Plain White T's, and John Legend. When a volcano threatens to destroy Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob and friends must save the day. Colorful, high-energy, and perfect for families. A great way to support local youth performers.
3) Bay Area Renaissance Festival, Weekend 4 (Dade City)
📍 12838 Auton Rd, Dade City
🗓️ Saturday, Mar 7 & Sunday, Mar 8, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
💲 Adults $26.95 / Children (5-12) $18.95 / Seniors (65+) $22.95 / Under 4 Free (plus tax). Free parking.
The 48th season continues with another themed weekend of full-contact jousting, 15 stages of entertainment, over 100 artisan vendors, and hearty festival food. Each weekend brings something different, so there's always a reason to come back. Dogs are welcome (must be registered online first).
4) The Market Elaine at The Grove (Wesley Chapel)
📍 The Grove at Wesley Chapel, Wesley Grove Blvd
🗓️ Friday, March 6, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
💲 Free to attend
Wesley Chapel's popular monthly night market returns with local vendors, food trucks, and live music under the lights. Browse handmade goods, grab dinner, and enjoy a relaxed Friday evening with the family. This market happens on the first Friday of each month.
5) Fresh Market at Wiregrass (Wesley Chapel)
📍 The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
🗓️ Saturday, March 7, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
💲 Free to attend
Over 50 vendors line Paseo Drive with fresh produce, local foods, handcrafted goods, and eco-friendly products. Live local music, free parking, and a great way to start a Saturday morning.
6) West Pasco Audubon Bird Walk (New Port Richey)
📍 Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center, 10500 Wilderness Road, New Port Richey
🗓️ Saturday, March 7, 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
💲 Free
Join the West Pasco Audubon Society for a free guided bird walk through one of the county's most beautiful parks. All experience levels welcome. Dress for the weather and plan to be outdoors for about four hours. A wonderful, peaceful Saturday morning activity.
7) Auto & Truck Showcase at Wiregrass (Wesley Chapel)
📍 The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
🗓️ Sunday, March 8, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
💲 Free to attend (vehicle registration $25)
Stroll along Paseo Drive and check out the area's best cars and trucks, from vintage classics to modern muscle. Live DJ, family activities, raffle prizes, and trophies in dozens of categories. Plus all the shopping and dining at Wiregrass. Rain or shine.
➕ More Local Happenings
Penguin Players: The Little Mermaid Jr. (Wesley Chapel): Friday, March 6 at 8:00 PM at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. A fun musical for families.
Keep Pasco Beautiful Community Cleanup (Multiple Locations): Saturday, March 7. Earn community service hours while helping keep Pasco beautiful. Trash bags, gloves, and T-shirts provided. Register →
Chasco Fiesta Preview: The biggest festival of the year in New Port Richey kicks off later this month (March 20-28) at Sims Park. Mark your calendars!
🌟 Spotlight Story of the Week
The 29th Annual Kumquat Festival Takes Over Downtown Dade City
After being postponed from January due to high winds, the Kumquat Festival is back this Sunday, March 8, and it's going to be worth the wait. This is one of the biggest single-day events in all of Pasco County, drawing over 40,000 visitors to historic downtown Dade City.
What it is: A free, family-friendly street festival celebrating Dade City's signature citrus fruit, the kumquat. Over 300 vendors and sponsors line the streets with arts, crafts, local products, and every kumquat creation you can think of: pies, cookies, salsa, marmalade, wine, and more. There's also a car and truck show, a Farmer's Market, a Quilt Challenge exhibit at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, live music, and the Kumquat Kids Corral for the little ones.
Why it matters: The Kumquat Festival started as a small community event and has grown into eastern Pasco County's biggest annual tradition. It supports local vendors, artists, and the downtown Dade City business community. It also puts a spotlight on the kumquat growers who have called this area home for generations.
How to enjoy it: Arrive early. The festival opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM. The streets fill up fast, so getting there by mid-morning gives you the best experience. Plan to walk, eat, and browse at a relaxed pace. Start with the kumquat treats (try the kumquat pie if it's your first time), then explore the craft vendors and car show.
Parking tips: Free shuttle parking is available at the Pasco County Fairgrounds on CR 52 and near Jarrett Ford on US 301. Shuttles run throughout the day. Downtown parking fills up early, so the shuttles are the way to go. The festival website has a live interactive map at kumquatfestival.org to help you navigate.
What to do nearby: While you're in Dade City, explore the downtown antique shops and boutiques on 7th Street. If you're making a full day of it, the Bay Area Renaissance Festival is also running this weekend just a few minutes away on Auton Road.
📸 Cover Image Concepts (1200x630):
Kumquat Close-Up: A bright, overhead shot of kumquats piled on a rustic wooden crate at a vendor booth, with the bustling festival street blurred in the background. Warm sunlight, vibrant orange and green colors, clean composition.
Downtown Festival Scene: A wide, sunny shot of historic downtown Dade City's main street packed with festival-goers, vendor tents, and colorful banners. Palm trees, blue sky, families walking. Warm Florida tones.
Kumquat Treats: A lifestyle flat-lay of kumquat festival foods: a slice of kumquat pie, a jar of kumquat marmalade, kumquat wine, and fresh kumquats arranged on a picnic blanket. Bright, cheerful, foodie-friendly.
🍴 Local Dining Pick
Lunch on 7th (Dade City)
📍 7th Street, Downtown Dade City
If you're heading to the Kumquat Festival this Sunday, plan to explore downtown Dade City's 7th Street while you're there. It's lined with locally owned restaurants, cafes, and shops that are open year-round but really come alive during festival weekends. Grab a seat, try something local, and soak in the small-town charm.
💆♀️ Local Wellness Pick
West Pasco Audubon Bird Walk at Starkey Park (New Port Richey)
📍 Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center, 10500 Wilderness Road, New Port Richey
This Saturday morning (March 7), join the West Pasco Audubon Society for a free guided bird walk through Starkey Park. It's about four hours of peaceful, low-impact outdoor time surrounded by pine flatwoods and wetlands. All experience levels are welcome, and it's a wonderful way to slow down and connect with nature. Dress for the weather and bring water.
💸 Pasco Deals & Discounts
Kumquat Festival: Free admission, free shuttle parking. Over 300 vendors and a full day of entertainment in downtown Dade City. Festival Info →
Bay Area Renaissance Festival: Active military, veterans, and first responders get $5 off gate admission with valid ID. Free parking for everyone. Ticket Info →
Auto & Truck Showcase at Wiregrass: Free to attend for spectators. Live DJ, family activities, and all the shops and restaurants at Wiregrass.
🧭 Local Tips & Guides
Weather: Early March in Pasco typically brings sunny skies and highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. Sunscreen, a hat, and water are must-haves for the Kumquat Festival and Ren Fest.
Kumquat Festival parking: Use the free shuttles from the Fairgrounds or Jarrett Ford. Downtown fills up fast.
Double header: The Kumquat Festival and Bay Area Ren Fest are both in Dade City on Sunday. You could do the festival in the morning and the Ren Fest in the afternoon.
Kid-friendly pick: The SpongeBob Musical is an all-kids cast and perfect for young audiences. Saturday has both a 2 PM matinee and 7 PM show.
Looking ahead: Chasco Fiesta kicks off March 20 and runs through March 28 in downtown New Port Richey at Sims Park. It's the biggest event of the year on the west side of the county. Full preview coming soon.
🗺️ Around Town (New Developments & Openings)
🎭 New Port Richey Film Festival: March 15
The New Port Richey Film Festival returns to celebrate local talent and the city's "Hollywood of the East" heritage. Coming up on March 15 at Richey Suncoast Theatre.
🎪 Chasco Fiesta: March 20-28
New Port Richey's signature annual festival is just around the corner. Expect a week of concerts, parades, a boat parade, a car show, and community events at Sims Park and downtown NPR. Molly Hatchet headlines the music lineup.
🏗️ Shops at Wiregrass New Center Court Now Open
The new Center Court at The Shops at Wiregrass celebrated its grand opening on February 27. Stop by to check out the new space the next time you're at Wiregrass.
🏡 Real Estate Corner
⚠️ No featured listings this week. Real Estate Corner returns next week with fresh picks across Pasco County.
🎉 Pasco Trivia
Did you know? The kumquat is one of the only citrus fruits you eat whole, skin and all. The peel is actually the sweet part, and the inside is tart. Dade City has been known as the "Kumquat Capital" of the world, and local growers like the Kumquat Growers Inc. on US 301 have been cultivating them for decades. The first Kumquat Festival was held in the late 1990s and has since grown into a 40,000-person event.
💌 That's a Wrap!
A kumquat festival, a SpongeBob musical, jousting knights, a night market, and a car show. This weekend really does have something for everyone.
Got a favorite kumquat treat or a local spot we should feature? Hit reply and tell us. We love hearing from you.
Coming next week: The Chasco Fiesta kicks off in downtown New Port Richey! We'll have your complete guide to the week-long celebration, plus more weekend picks from across the county.
💌 That's a Wrap!
Fair food, Renaissance jousting, free music on the river, and a community celebration in Wesley Chapel. This might be one of the most packed weekends of the year. Get out there and enjoy it, Pasco.
Got a favorite fair food or a Ren Fest tip? Hit reply and tell us. We love hearing from you.
Coming next week: We'll spotlight a hidden gem in west Pasco, plus the Chasco Fiesta is on the horizon. More weekend picks from across the county as spring starts rolling in.
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