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Street parade to help launch Chasco Fiesta

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: March 18, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - Hot air balloons will be a casualty of the sour economy this year, but otherwise it's full steam ahead for the annual Chasco Fiesta street parade on Saturday.

The 1 p.m. parade through downtown New Port Richey anchors the first week of activities. Organized through the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Chasco runs March 19-29,

Pasco's biggest community festival actually kicks off tomorrow night with the Native American Night in the Park at 7 p.m. Thursday in Sims Park. The Native American Festival then continues for the entire 11-day run of Chasco. Carnival rides also open Thursday evening near the park.

On Friday night, the Coronation Ball, put on by the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, will crown the new King Pithla and Queen Chasco.

The royal couple will lead Saturday's WellCare Chasco Fiesta Street Parade. Tens of thousands of spectators typically line the route from Grand and Gulf to Orange Lake, around the lake to Bank Street and then west on Main Street to U.S. 19.

At least 140 floats and other units have signed up for the parade, Roger Michels reports in his 43rd year helping to organize the showcase event for the host group, Holiday Rotary Club.

The five hot-air balloons in the shape of popular cartoon and other characters will be missing from the lineup this time, Michels pointed out.

"Those balloons are expensive," Chasco Fiesta Executive Director Wendy Brenner remarked. "They come all the way from California."

The cost to rent the balloons can escalate to about $14,000, Michels pointed out.

Helium to inflate the balloons has been in short supply, which makes the gas more expensive, according to Brenner.

"This year our sponsorships are down," Brenner observed, so the balloons were an easy way to trim costs. Plus the balloons take a "multitude of volunteers" to handle, especially if winds are gusty on parade day, she said.

Michels noticed that the parade this year appears to feature fewer professional floats in the lineup as businesses struggle through the recession.

Michels expects no shortage of community spirit, though, with some 17 bands marching in the parade, 27 area Krewes and a multitude of floats.

Chasco attracts visitors who seek to have fun, but who also wind up boosting West Pasco charities. Chasco Fiesta last year raised nearly $300,000 for 30 local nonprofit groups, Brenner pointed out.

Chasco highlights

• West Pasco Sertoma Beef BBQ - March 19-22 in Sims Park.

• Cotee River Lions Club Breakfast - 8-11 a.m. March 21-22 at Sims Park.

• Chasco Main Street Mile, hosted by Gulf High School Athletic Boosters - 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Grand Boulevard and Georgia Avenue immediately before street parade.

• Chasco Flea Market, Arts, Crafts & Antiques Sale, hosted by First United Methodist Church of New Port Richey, along Central Avenue - March 21-22.

• Chasco Children's Village, hosted by Junior Service League - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, Sims Park.

• Talent Search Showcase - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22, Sims Park.

• Chasco Car, Truck and Bike Show, hosted by Gulfside Corvette Club and sponsored by Castriota Chevrolet, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22, Orange Lake.

A full schedule is listed online at www.chascofiesta.com/Calendar.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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