Stepping Out Into the Great Outdoors | March 2025

Games, rides, jousting, food vendors and more going on in this makeshift 16th Century Village on natural grounds of Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City.

For more info visit bayarearenfest.com

This fun-filled event is designed to introduce families to the vast outdoors, the sport of fishing and the importance of being stewards of Florida’s freshwater ecosystems. Hands-on educational activities will include fishing basics learning stations and hands-on fishing practice. For ages 5- 16. For more info, click here.

Meet at the Education Center for a 1 – 3 mile walk. Things you might need for your hike – bug spray, sunscreen, water and proper walking shoes.

For more info visit pascoaudubon.com.

Enjoy some street art while taking a downtown stroll. Stop into local businesses, check them out, and take advantage of whatever specials they are offering

For more info, visit the NPR Main Street Events Page here.

Meet in the Education Center for this presentation. For more info visit pascoaudubon.com.

Fresh strawberries and shortcakes for sale. Vendors, Raffles. Fun Dog Show. Kid’s Zone.

Participants will harvest their very own vines, décor, and more to create unique spring themed wreaths from the beautiful world we live in.

For more information and to register, click here.

Participants will learn about Bald Eagle’s and the nesting site just outside of the park and hopefully get to see the nesting parents and eaglets.

For more info and to register, click here.

Roses are flowers that are easily recognizable and often given to friends and loved ones. Roses symbolize love, royalty, beauty, and more! The speaker is a long time member of Tampa Rose Society and will share tips about growing and caring for the roses in the Central Florida area.

Gardening and plants should help with stress, not cause it. Landscapes that are resilient enough to allow us to drop the ball every now and then. A style of gardening that fits with real life – not with the aspirational photos that gives garden envy from Instagram.

Enjoy a night under the stars while listening to Classic Rock Hits. There will be vendors on-site selling food, drinks, and sweets. Free shuttle service to and from the beach at Tarpon Springs High. Pets and alcohol are prohibited

Bring a book, craft, or any other analog activity to unwind with. Unplug and enjoy the outdoors with friends and neighbors.

We will gather in the grass west of The Hacienda – look for the “Library Event” sign!

From the promo…

A premier event that will entertain you with 80 folk music groups performing on 3 covered stages. Music styles include original and traditional songs, in Americana, Blues, Celtic, Bluegrass, Country, and Modern Folk. Besides performances, there are workshops, several jam areas, a young musician’s program, a children’s area and a performance of the winners of The Best New Florida Song contest. Food and craft vendors supply all your cravings.

This is a great location with opportunities to see Brown-headed Nuthatches, Bald Eagles, Swamp
Sparrows, and numerous other species.

Meet at the Education Center at 8 a.m. For more info visit pascoaudubon.com.

Are you afraid of bats and they are spooky? Learn about the good they do such as consume insects, pollinate plants, and disperse seeds. Their populations are declining, largely because of human activity, misconceptions, and fear. Learn more about our beneficial flying friends at this Pasco County Extension seminar.

Featuring Alex Lopez, Memphis Lightning and Wayne Baker Brooks. Vendors, food and drink. Open seating. Bring chairs/blankets. Tickets available through Eventbrite

Have you ever looked at a tree and thought, what tree is that? This Sunday afternoon adventure aims to answer those questions for you and more during a trek through the trees to find the wealth of knowledge hidden among them. For info and to register, click here.

You may have heard compost is gold for your garden, but do you know why? Do you know how to make your own? Learn all this and more from Extension’s Community Gardens Program Manager, Chris.

For more info and other Pasco County Extension events, visit ifasufl.edu/events/pasco

Participants will learn to combine painting with basic embroidery techniques to create unique artwork while enjoying the scenic views Crews Lake has to offer. For more information and to register, click here.

Butterflies are not just another pretty creature. Hear a Master Gardener volunteer discuss the importance of these insects to your gardens’ success at this free UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension seminar.

Have you been through a hot summer, hurricanes, flooding, and the dead of winter? Does your lawn need a little tender love and care? Discuss your turf troubles and let volunteers help diagnose what’s wrong with your lawn. Photos and samples of your issues are welcome.

A New Port Richey native, Dr. Megan Moore, will give a look into her multi-faceted role with UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension, Pasco County, and Sea Grant Florida. Learn about native Mangrove trees, how to identify them and understand the role they play in protecting our coastline and its various ecosystems.

Basic hydroponic gardening for beginners! This presentation will describe a hydroponic system that does not require electricity or pumps. You will learn how to create a hydroponic garden for small or large spaces that you set up and forget it; that is, until you are ready to harvest.

Drop in for some creative family time where everyone can make their very own kite, crafted from recycled plastic bags and colorful tissue paper. Once your kite is ready, take it for its very first test flight in our front field. Guidance will be provided if needed

Don’t miss this local favorite set against the backdrop of the beautiful Cotee River. 

This performance will take place in the southwest corner of Sims Park, near the Grassin Bridge. Presented in partnership with the city’s Cultural Affairs Committee and the Friends of the New Port Richey Public Library. Please feel free to bring a chair for seating

Members of the Pasco Astronomers set up telescopes for viewing. This event is held in the field near the entrance of the park.

Embark on a scenic hike through the stunning pine forest, then settle in for a relaxing picnic just a short stroll from the Anclote River. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy the sunshine and create lasting memories together. (Lunch will not be provided please pack lunches accordingly). For info and to register, click here.

The Theme for Chasco 2025 is Cinema & Symphony: 100 Years of Music in Movies.

From the promo – An annual nine-day celebration in Sims Park, New Port Richey, FL. Enjoy an exciting lineup of events, including the iconic Native American Pow Wow, Street and Boat Parades, a Car Show, 5K Run, nightly live music spanning diverse genres—and so much more.

Access Special Section and Coverage here

The area has several families with both banded and unbranded birds. Other birds to be on the lookout for include Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Bachman’s Sparrows. For info Contact Mike Ranck gmranck@yahoo.com

Celebrate Women’s History Month with this special event to learn the basics of archery. These sessions are for those who have never used a bow and arrow and those still learning and refining the techniques. All equipment will be provided. For more info and to register, click here.

Nutritious soil is the basis for any plant’s success. Discover how to improve our Florida soils, and enhance your knowledge of what is already in the soil. Understanding local soils will aid in providing enrichment to this basic growing material to support the plants we grow and/or maintain.

Participants will trek through the swamp and learn about the critters that live in or around the water on this naturalist-led adventure discovering the wonders of wetlands. For information and to register, click here.

Take the family and join us for a lovely stroll through our beautiful coastal park Key Vista. Learn about the beautiful flowers that dot the sandy trails and the pollinators that tend to them. For information and to register, click here.

Come out for this family-friendly workshop on creating primitive pine needle mini baskets using natural materials. All materials will be provided. For more info and to register, click here.

Find locally sourced foods, sustainably grown produce, cottage-industry baked goods and foods, hand-made items, and more.

The market is SNAP shopping friendly, so bring your EBT cards to use up to $40 in SNAP AND get an additional $40 in Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) for free, locally-grown produce!

In addition to the usual plant-swap and conversation, Plants and Pints features a Farmers’ Market, offering fresh-harvest seasonal produce from the FarmNet garden network. All produce is $3. This month’s selection includes collard greens, arugula, kale, tomatoes, and loquats.