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Main Street Holidays Will Be Presented Dec. 6

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By Cheryl  Bentley | The Suncoast News

Published: December 3, 2008

New Port Richey's traditional holiday celebration will offer two weekends of holiday activities for both children and adults in the Sims Park area.

"Entertainment and family-friendly fun always put us in the mood for the holidays," said Judy DeBella Thomas, executive director of Greater New Port Richey Main Street, the event's host.

Festivities will kick off this weekend from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, with a full day of children's choral groups, photos with Santa, hayrides and children's art show.

At 6 p.m., the city's ninth annual River Lights Boat Parade will wind down the Pithlachascotee River from its Port Richey starting point to the bridge in New Port Richey. Last year, 42 boats participated in the parade.

From 5 - 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, downtown stores will be open for shopping and strolling. The downtown area will feature carolers, hay rides and shoppers specials.

In Sims Park, there will be two free showings of a family-friendly movie. Children are invited to decorate holiday cupcakes and cookies.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available 5:30 - 9 p.m. for photos with children at Halina's Interiors, 5346 Main St. There will be a free gift for the first 100 children and free movies while waiting.

Not to be left out, members of the four-legged set can get pictures taken 5 - 8 p.m. at Advanced Healthcare Alternatives, 5404 Main St. Pet guardians can also shop for gifts for their animals.

All proceeds are for needy pets and go to food banks and animal rescue groups. Organizers will give free flu shots to anyone who brings a minimum of a 10-pound bag of dog or cat food.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, the city's 32nd annual holiday street parade will highlight a full day of activities. During the day, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., both professional and amateur cake decorators can participate in a cake decorating contest hosted by the New Port Richey Cake Club.

Saturday entertainment in Sims Park kicks off with a performance by the Gotta Dance troupe. The Port Richey dance school will showcase a variety of dance styles by young dancers whose ages range from 3 to 21.

Genesis School students from kindergarten through fifth grade will perform "Singing and Dancing through the Holidays," a program of holiday music on which they have been working since September.

The classic rock band Bone Yard Dogs will make their second appearance at a Greater New Port Richey Main Street event. West Pasco favorite, Travis Redfish Project Band, will also appear.

Dixie Highway Band will highlight the day's entertainment. The five-member group will perform country and Southern rock after the street parade.

Dixie Highway is a local group that was formed in West Pasco in 2004. The band is marked by its high energy, said lead singer John Wayne Wilkinson. "Everyone's moving. No one stands still."

Attendees can enjoy breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus 9 - 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. There will also be live music and holiday entertainment from noon to 4 p.m.

Both Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14, feature arts and crafts, food, kayak and canoe rentals and riverboat tours in the Sims Park area. Children's activities include cupcake decorating, bounce house and slides.

A carnival will be featured all three days of the weekend.

For more information go to www.nprmainstreet.com.

Saturday, Dec. 13, schedule

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. -- Gotta Dance

12:30 - 2:30 p.m. -- Travis Redfish Project Band

2:30 - 4 p.m. -- Genesis School's "Singing and Dancing through the Holidays"

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. -- Bone Yard Dogs

After Parade Dixie Highway Band

Cheryl Bentley can be reached at 727-815-1069 cbentley@suncoastnews.com.

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