It's Strawberry Festival Time!

Our Central Florida fair season continues with the 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival, kicking off tomorrow, March 1st in Plant City!  Open daily from March 1-11 from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., the Strawberry Festival offers midway rides, live entertainment (racing pigs! sea lions!  REBA MCENTIRE!), and, of course, strawberries for sale in bulk and as tasty treats.

Gate admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12.  Children 5 and under are free.  Discounted tickets are available at area Sweetbay Supermarkets - adult tickets are $8 and children's tickets are $4.

For more information, including a complete concert schedule, directions to the festival grounds, and to purchase concert tickets, visit the Strawberry Festival's website at http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com.

URGENT NEED - DONATE BLOOD

URGENT NEED

TYPE O NEGATIVE

Universal Donor

Trauma Blood

Please Donate

TODAY!

FOR DONATION LOCATIONS:

1-800-68-BLOOD(25663)

www.fbsdonor.org

It's County Fair Time Again!

If you haven't had the chance (or the gas money) to make it to the Florida State Fair, then next week is your chance to enjoy all things deep fried and/or thrill ride right here in Pasco County. The 65th annual Pasco County Fair starts up Monday, February 20, 2012 at the county fairgrounds in Dade City and runs through Sunday, February 26.

Gate admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children aged 6-12. Children 5 years old and younger are FREE! Unlimited ride wristbands will be available daily as well - discounted advance sale wristbands are available at participating Pasco County Walgreens locations through tomorrow, February 19.

As always, there will be deep fried food, livestock barns, and entertainment (racing pigs, anyone?). For more information, including a schedule of events and a listing of performers, visit the Pasco County Fair's website.

How to Start a Business Workshop - Friday, February 24, 2012

How to Start a Business Workshop

Salvation Army begins free lunch program in Dade City - Tampa Bay Times

Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch? The Salvation Army has started a Brown Bag Lunch program at their Dade City service center. They are currently providing the free lunch once a week, but may expand the program to daily, if they receive enough support. The lunch consists of a sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a bottle of water.

Donations of food or money can be brought to the Salvation Army service center at 14445 Seventh St. in Dade City. Organizer Dennis Klinger said he needs fruit for the lunches most. For more information, click on the link below.

Salvation Army begins free lunch program in Dade City - Tampa Bay Times

Paddling Pasco - Trip #3 - Sunday, February 19, 2012

The next Paddling Pasco kayak and canoe trip is now planned for Sunday, February 19th. We will be launching at Oelsner Park again and this time going up river all the way to Grey’s Preserve on Plathe Road. The trip should take between 2.25 to 2.75 hours and we may take a short stop at Sims Park to stretch. First part of the trip we will discuss some history of the area and see a variety of life styles along the river. Once we get to Francis Avenue Park nature tries to take over and we will be viewing a bit of old Florida and hopefully some wildlife.


Itinerary: Drop boats off at Oelsner Park by 8:30 am and drive to Grey’s Preserve and park your vehicle. Last shuttle will leave Grey’s Preserve, going to Oelsner Park at 9 am. We plan to launch by 9:30 am.

To register please call the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department at 727-834-3278 or 813-929-2760 with the following information: interest and level of commitment, number of paddlers, provide contact # and email, how many will be riding the shuttle (logistics is a big issue if a lot of paddlers register).

Other:

· Please bring a completed waiver with you on the day of the trip and turn it in.

· Look for emails on the Thursday or Friday before the trip for important information, such as cancellation due to severe weather.

· We still have some Paddling Pasco T-shirts with logo on front and logo and map on the back for $10. Please advise if you want one when you register. Funds go into a donation account to support this program.

· Rentals may be available if there is a significant interest by calling Down South Kite and Paddle at 727-771-5484 or Windsong at 727-859-0213. All arrangements must be made with these two outfitters.

· Any questions, please let us know.