Pasco EcoFest 2013

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PASCO ECOFEST

Grow Wild in West Pasco!



November 8, 9 & 10, 2013

Sims and Starkey Parks, New Port Richey, Florida

GROW WILD IN WEST PASCO WITH THIRD ANNUAL ARTS,

CULTURE & ECOLOGY EXTRAVAGANZA

New Port Richey, FL - Pasco EcoFest is evolving, this year with a focus on growing the local economy and culture in West Central Florida and with a new host organization, The Friends of the New Port Richey Library. Through hands-on education and experiences, the event organizers aim to encourage a holistic ecological awareness that encompasses the cultural, natural, and economic systems of our local region.



Pasco EcoFest 2013 is on the calendar for November 8, 9 & 10 providing a great opportunity for families and eco adventurers from Florida and beyond to experience Pasco County’s beautiful natural assets and learn about the grass-roots sustainability movement that is changing the culture of Pasco County.

Event Details (Full schedule available at

http://www.pascoecofest.com/event-schedule <http://www.pascoecofest.com/event-schedule> ):



Geocaching – GeoFest has been a main component of Pasco EcoFest since the first year and it continues to be one of our most popular activities. Treasure hunters use GPS to locate caches hidden all around Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. There are several different competitions as well as workshops for kids and adults on Orienteering, creating caches and designing caches. For more details visit http://pascogeofest.org .





Kayaking – Guided Kayak paddles will take place Saturday and Sunday with Ed Lawlor from Peace, Love, Paddle leading the excursion. Ed is a highly experienced Paddlesports Coach who will ensure all paddlers, regardless of experience level, have a fun and worry free adventure. There is a requested $10 donation for participating. Kayaks are available for rent. To register and reserve a kayak, please visit: http://www.pascoecofest.com/portfolio/kayaking .





Education: Walks, Talks & Workshops - From soil blocking to pallet gardening, learn how you can easily begin “growing wild” in West Pasco. Urban agriculture workshops will be taking place at Sims Park all day Saturday, November 9 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Pavilion.



Out at Starkey Park guests will be able to participate in an Introduction to Birding Walk hosted by the West Pasco Audubon Society. Pennsylvania herbalist, Nathaniel Whitmore returns again this year to lead guests on an Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk. Katie MacMillion from Pasco County’s Division of Environmental Lands will lead adventurers on a fun Swamp Tromp where they will discover native species and explore wild habitat and Pamela Murfey will lead a Wetland Wonder Walk.

Please check the event schedule for times and locations: www.pascoecofest.com/event-schedule <http://www.pascoecofest.com/event-schedule>





Air-cooled VW Show & Swap Meet – Vintage Air-Cooled VWs will be on display around Orange Lake Saturday, November 9 from 10 am to 4 pm.  Registration is open to all air-cooled VW owners.  The fee to enter is one can of food. Pre-registration is available at http://www.pascoecofest.com/portfolio/vw-show-swap-meet or participants may register the day of the event from 9 am to 10 am.



The public is invited to bring canned goods as well for the Rec Center’s Youth Advisory Board’s food drive in cooperation with the Wellness Worship Center. The YAB promotes awareness of Pasco’s homelessness issues with their annual Cardboard Camp Out campaign.





Trash-N-Fashion Photo Shoot – Hosted by the Florida Modeling Network, this portion of the event is an interactive activity for photographers and models interested in building their portfolios.  Event-goers will be able to enjoy the living art of models dressed in costumes crafted from recycled materials. The photo shoot will take place Saturday, November 9 from 12 pm to 6 pm in Peace Hall.



FMN is a community of artists involved in the entertainment industry that come together for the purpose of increasing community awareness and creativity.  They organize and host two portfolio building events every month as well as one photo and art exhibit every three months. It is a membership-driven organization.  A percentage of proceeds will be donated to Pasco EcoFest & the Friends of the New Port Richey Library.



The fee for photographers is $55 at the gate ($43.50 in advance) or $75 for non-members.

For female models it is $5 at the gate (Free if they RSVP in advance) or $15 for non-members.

For male models it is $30 at the door ($23.50 in advance) or $40 for non-members.



Costumes are provided for models as well as hair, makeup and props; however models are encouraged to bring some props, accessories and shoes to personalize their appearance.  Pre-register here: http://thefloridamodelingnetwork.ning.com/events/recyledfashion .





Experience: Yoga, Bowls, Drums – Friday, November 8 at 6:30 pm brings Yoga and Crystal Bowls to Sims Park. Faith Bevan, owner of Flow Yoga (www.flowyoga.biz <http://www.flowyoga.biz> ) in Port Richey will be leading a free Yoga class accompanied by Ronald Hays (www.theglobalpage.com <http://www.theglobalpage.com> ) playing crystal bowls. Immediately following at 7:30 pm we will amp things up with an energetic performance by Tampa Taiko (www.tampataiko.com <http://www.tampataiko.com> ), a professional drumming ensemble who performs using taiko drums made by themselves from discarded wine barrels. They will facilitate a 15- minute drumming instruction session after their performance and then the circle will be opened up to audience participation. Guests are invited to bring their own drums and percussion instruments.

 

Saturday and Sunday guests will be able to participate in free Yoga and Tai Chi classes hosted by Flow Yoga & Pilates Studio, Trinity Yoga and Wah Lum Kung Fu Academy at Sims Park. Please check the event schedule for times. www.pascoecofest.com/event-schedule <http://www.pascoecofest.com/event-schedule>





Entertainment – Pasco EcoFest has rounded up an eclectic mix of bands from the Tampa Bay area to provide a relaxed, fun and funky atmosphere for event goers. Check out some of the Bay area’s favorite performers, Ronny Elliot and Rebekah Pulley as well as some fresh faces on the music scene.  In between bands event goers will be able to watch belly dance and hoop dance performances, there will even be several opportunities to participate in workshops.

 

For details please visit: www.pascoecofest.com/portfolio/entertainment <http://www.pascoecofest.com/portfolio/entertainment>

For times and links to band pages please visit: www.pascoecofest.com/event-schedule <http://www.pascoecofest.com/event-schedule>





Eco-Market – Saturday, November 9 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm in Sims Park, browse vendors offering hand made, upcycled and educational wares. Talk to members of community organizations and learn about all of the exciting environmental, social and cultural happenings in Pasco County.



Eco-Feast – Pasco EcoFest introduced the EcoFeast concept last year, hosting New Port Richey’s very first food truck rally. Foodies rejoice, we’re bringing back our favorite trucks and introducing a few new ones!  This year we’ve also partnered with Big Storm Brewing Company, Pasco’s first micro-brewery. We’ll have the Big Storm Beer Tent set up in Sims Park. Food and brew will be available Friday, November 8, 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm and Saturday, November 9, 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.  

For details: www.pascoecofest.com/portfolio/eco-feast <http://www.pascoecofest.com/portfolio/eco-feast>

 

Participating food vendors: Free Lovin’ Foodery, Destination Grill, The Dude and His Food, Renny’s Oki Doki, and Hott Mess.





Kids’ Activities – Kids get in on the EcoAction this year with Geocaching activities just for them and Pasco’s traveling museum, the Investigation Station, will be on hand at Starkey Park, Saturday, November 9, 10 am to 2 pm, with an endangered species exhibit and hands on spin art! Kids and parents get muddy Saturday, November 9 starting at 2:30 pm during the Swamp Tromp with Katie MacMillen from the Environmental Lands Division of Pasco County. Blast off into the mysteries of space with high-powered telescopes set up for an evening of Stargazing on Friday, November 8 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Check out the kid’s crafts and games tent at Sims Park, Saturday, November 9 from 11 am to 5 pm.  For details please visit: www.pascoecofest.com/portfolio/fun-for-kids <http://www.pascoecofest.com/portfolio/fun-for-kids>



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Pasco EcoFest 2013 will span three days at two different locations—Sims Park and Starkey Park. Guests will have the opportunity to explore beautiful West Pasco by kayaking, wading through swamps, and learning about native plants and medicinal herbs on nature walks through Starkey Park. They will also have the chance to learn about our native wildlife through interactive exhibits and talks.

 

With a focus on sustainable living education, PEF will also be offering a wide variety of free workshops geared toward skills guests can easily incorporate into their daily lives. This event will also incorporate a fine art show, kayaking, geocaching, live music and entertainment, a drum circle, the Eco Market, free yoga, belly dancing and hoop dancing workshops, kid’s art and public art projects, stargazing, vintage Volkswagen showcase and parts swap, and food trucks.



Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations, large and small that wish to get involved in enhancing the culture of West Pasco.  The event managers are also seeking green businesses or businesses who offer green products and services to partner with for this event. Contact Kacey Atkinson at (727) 809-2306 or maagement@pascoecofest.com .



This year’s event is developed by Kira and Kacey Atkinson and Lia Gallegos in partnership with Pasco County’s Tourist Development Council and the City of New Port Richey. A portion of profits from Pasco EcoFest will go directly to our host organization, Friends of the New Port Richey Library.



For more information:

Website: http://www.PascoEcoFest.com <http://www.PascoEcoFest.com>   

Facebook: /PascoEcoFest

Twitter: @Pasco_Eco

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