February 2025
BY MICHELE MILLER
What’s What New Port Richey
There are plenty of ways to get your nature/outdoor fix this month with a bevy of events happening in New Port Richey and throughout Pasco County
Tampa Bay Ren Fest, hiking, biking, birding, nature crafting and more will be happening in Pasco County Park this month. Day trippers might want to take in the annual Farm Fest & Quilt Show at the Pioneer Florida Museum Pigz n’ Z’hills BBQ & Blues Fest in Zephyrhills and the Pasco County Fair at the fairgrounds in Dade City.
Or stay closer to home to catch a concert in the park, by the river, or on the beach. Learn about the Florida Panther with author, Craig Pittman (Oh Florida!, Cat Tale). Get some valuable gardening information at Master Gardener events happening all over.
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February 1 – 8
February 9 -15
February 16 – 22
February 23 – March 1
Markets | Ongoing
February 1 -8
Pasco Audubon | Monthly Birding Hike, 8 a.m. Saturday, February 1 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | Free
Meet at the Education Center for a 1 – 3 mile walk. For more info visit the Pasco Audubon website.
Pasco Parks Outdoor Adventures | Tidal Walk, 9:30 – 11 a.m. Saturday, February 1 at Robert K. Rees Memorial Park in New Port Richey | $3
Led by enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides, you’ll gain local insights while enjoying a safe, personalized adventure suitable for all skill levels. To register or for more info on this program or other programs visit the Pasco County Parks & Rec Adventures event schedule.
Farm Festival and Quilt Show, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, February 1 at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City |
Get a feel of old Florida at this annual event that features a stunning display of locally-made quilts, craft demonstrations and the featured Southern Draft Horse Associations Draft Horse Pull, starting at the stroke of noon.
All museum buildings will be open. There will be live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, craft demonstrations, blacksmith demonstrations, model trains, and Pasco Sheriff’s Mounted Posse. Visit pioneerfloridamuseum.org for information about the museum, this event and others.
Pasco Audubon | “Cat Tale” with author Craig Pittman, 11 a.m. Saturday, February 1 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | Free
Author Craig Pittman, a former Tampa Bay Times reporter who now writes for The Florida Phoenix talks abut his book on how the Florida Panther was brought back from the brink of extinction.
For more info visit the Pasco Audubon website.
Pasco County Parks Outdoor Adventure Programs | Birding Basics Hike, 8 – 9:30 a.m. Sunday, February 2 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | $3
Discover the fascinating world of birds on a naturalist-led hike through Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. Learn how to identify local bird species by sight and sound as we explore key birding areas throughout the park. Binoculars will be provided for an up-close view of the birds
Pasco County Parks Outdoor Adventure Programs | Primitive Fire Skills 101, 12:30 – 3 p.m. Sunday, February 2 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | $5 | Registration required
Learn how to build a fire with primitive tools and natural materials. Topics covered in this educational program will include making char and tinder bundles from natural sources, and striking fires using a variety of techniques, including flint and steel. Following each educational topic, participants will gain hands-on experience by putting their newfound knowledge to the test
Pasco Parks Outdoor Adventures | Bald Eagle Walk, 9 – 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 5 at Anclote River Park in Holiday | $3
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.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension | Color Our Canopy, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 5 at the Land O’Lakes Library
Learn about the 10 most common flowering trees in the Tampa Bay area so you can add color to your tree canopy.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension | Master Gardener Volunteer Training Meet & Greet, 1 – 3 p.m. Thursday, February 6 at the Pasco County Extension Office in Dade City
The UF/IFAS Pasco Extension is offering a free ‘Meet & Greet’ preview session that is required for anyone interested in applying for the 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Class. The 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Class will begin in May, with once-a-week, in-person classroom instruction. The class runs for 12 consecutive weeks.
OTB | Sunset Beach Concert Series featuring “Flipside”, 7 – 9 p.m. Thursday, February 6 at Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs | Free
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
Pasco Audubon | Field Trip to Weeki Wachee Preserve, Saturday, February 8 in Hernando County
Participants will be looking for and observing sparrows on this field trip. For info Contact: Christine Rowland, president@pascoaudubon.com
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension | African Violets, 9 – 10 a.m. Saturday, February 8 at Heritage Park in Land O’Lakes
Learn how to grow and take care of African violets and some of their cousins. Instruction on how to repot, propagate, and have them thrive at your house.
Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, February 8 in downtown Zephyrhills |
Live Blues Concert, Cornhole Tournament, vendors, Kidz Zone, Hog Calling Contest, Wing Eating Contest and more.
Music lineup – Ed Wright, Kid Royal Band, Mark Shane & The Shane Gang, Chuck Riley All-Star Band featuring Tyrone Vaughn, Damon Fowler & RJ Howson
Pasco County Parks Outdoor Adventures, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, February 8 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | $3
Participants will discover the unique plants, wildlife, and hidden gems of the wetlands. We will learn about the park’s biodiversity and what makes these ecosystems so great through up-close encounters with nature
February 9 – 15
Pasco County Parks Outdoor Adventures Programs | Pine Needle Basket Weaving (Beginners), 1:30 – 4 p.m. Sunday, February 9 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City | $5
Learn how to make primitive pine needle mini baskets using natural materials in the beautiful surroundings of Withlacoochee River Park.
Pasco County Parks Outdoor Adventures Programs | Hearts in Motion Hike, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 11 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City
In celebration of American Heart Month, Pasco Parks partners with East Pasco Recreation for Healthy Heart Week! Join others for a guided nature walk at Withlacoochee River Park to learn about the native plants and animals that call the park home
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension | Floriography: The Language of Flowers, 2 – 3 p.m. Thursday, February 11 at the New River Library in Wesley Chapel
Red roses mean love, but do you know what flower color of yellow or white means? Do you know which flower symbolizes friendship? Come and learn what the Victorians called the language of flowers: Floriography.
Pasco Audubon | Birding by Bike, 8 a.m. Saturday, February 15 at Brooker Creek Preserve in Pinellas County
Meet in the parking lot to ride the Pinellas Trail.
For more info visit the Pasco Audubon website.
Pasco County Parks Outdoor Adventure Programs | Painting Pasco, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, February 15 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | $10
Come out to Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park for a Valentine’s Day-themed guided painting class. In this family-friendly program, we will be painting a portrait of Florida’s native “love birds”, the Sandhill Cranes.
Bay Area Renaissance Fest, weekends, Saturday, February 15 – Sunday, March 30 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City | $15 + with family packs, season tickets available
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
NPR Rec Concerts in the Park featuring Symmetry Band, 7 – 9 p.m. Saturday, February 15 at Sims Park in NPR | Free
Grab a blanket and your own chair and head down to Sims Park for this monthly event.
February 16 – 22
Pasco County Fair, Monday, February 17 – Sunday, February 23 at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City | Regular entry prices – $12 for Adults, $7 for Children, Ages 5 and under free
Midway rides, Student Exhibits, Demolition Derby, pageants, live music and entertainment, contests, and more.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension | Backyard Birds and Their Habitat, 2 – 3 p.m. Monday, February 17 at the Daniel A Cannon Memorial Library in San Antonio
The best home landscapes should fit the needs of humans but also provide for wildlife of various kinds. Even the most urban yard can host a plethora of species, making for very interesting wildlife watching!
Just a few easy changes to your landscape can help attract birds to our backyards. Attracting brids have many benefits. This session will cover bird behavior, benefits that birds bring to backyards, birds native to Florida, and overview on how to provide for a habitat for birds in your backyard.
Pasco Parks Outdoor Adventures | Senior Nature Crafts, 10 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 18 at the Elfers Senior Center in New Port Richey and from 10 a.m. – Thursday, February 20 at the Galen Wilson Senior Center in Port Richey
Come out to the Elfers Senior Center for monthly nature crafts! For the February craft project participants will be creating birdseed hangers. Call (727) 844-7703 to learn more and to sign up for the Elfers program. Call (727) 834-3340 to learn more and sign up for the Galen Wilson program. For more info on this program or other programs visit the Pasco County Parks & Rec Adventures event schedule.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension | Florida Bromeliads, 2 – 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 18 at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday
This presentation will explore Florida’s native Bromeliads including: Spanish Moss, Ball Moss, and Air plants. Decorative Bromeliads and Pineapples will also be discussed along with other plant-like forms in the tropical Florida environment.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension | Basic Hydroponics, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 18 at the New Port Richey Public Library
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
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension | Saving Your Own Seeds, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wednesday, February 19 at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa
This is an introductory seminar where you will learn how to gather, store, and save seeds from your favorite vegetable, flower, and fruit to sow next year. You will learn what seeds work well, when to gather them, and the best way to store the seeds to yield a bountiful harvest next season.
NPR Library Riverside Concert Series | The Shaelyn Band, 6 – 6 p.m. Friday, February 21 in Sims Park in downtown NPR
The Shaelyn Band is a Florida-based group known for blending classic soul, blues, funk, and rock, fronted by singer and poet Shaelyn (Shae Mulberry). Formed in 2020, the band released their self-titled album in 2022, followed by “Juke Joint!” in 2023, both offering a mix of heartfelt songs and energetic grooves. With their powerful live performances, The Shaelyn Band is quickly making a name for themselves in the music industry, captivating audiences across the U.S. and beyond.
Second Annual Outdoor Adventures Expo, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Starkey Ranch TLC in Odessa
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension | Take Back Your Lawn: Natural Insect Control for Florida Homes, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. February 22 at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City
Come out for this informative seminar on effective, eco-friendly ways to manage insects in your outdoor spaces. Learn about the most common lawn-dwelling bugs in the Sunshine State, from ants and beetles to grubs and cinch bugs. More importantly, you’ll learn natural, sustainable strategies to control these pesky critters without relying on harsh chemicals.
Bay Area Renaissance Fest, weekends through Sunday, March 30 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City | $15 + with family packs, season tickets available
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
February 23 – March 1
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension | Composting, 6 – 7 p.m. Monday, February 24 at the Regency Park Library in New Port Richey | $35 includes compost bin | Class size limited – Pasco Residents only | Register by February 19
This workshop will explore the benefits and basic “how-to’s” for composting in the home landscape. Paying participants will receive one (1) GEOBIN brand compost bin (246 gallon capacity) of the style shown in the photo above. Limit one compost bin per household and only one compost bin per paying ticket.
Bay Area Renaissance Fest, weekends through Sunday, March 30 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City | $15 + with family packs, season tickets available
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
Pasco Parks Outdoor Adventures | Pine Needle Weaving (Intermediate), 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sunday, February 26 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | $15
Create primitive pine needle baskets using natural materials that are uniquely colored and shaped.
Pasco Parks Outdoor Adventures | Wood Whittling, 1 – 3 p.m. Sunday, February 26 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | $5
Come out to Starkey Park for a family-friendly workshop on whittling cheese knives
Pasco County Parks Outdoor Adventures | Mangrove Walk, 9:30 – 11 a.m. Friday, February 28 at Key Vista Park in Holiday | $3
Participants will explore the fascinating coastal ecosystem, discovering the unique plants, wildlife, and hidden wonders of the mangrove forests. Along the way, learn about the vital role mangroves play in protecting our shores and supporting local biodiversity, all while experiencing the beauty of these diverse wetlands up close!
Tasty Tuesdays Community Market
The weekly market is located in the courtyard of the New Port Richey Public Library at 5939 Main Street, New Port Richey. The market is open every Tuesday, rain or shine, from am to pm. Find locally sourced foods, sustainably grown produce, cottage-industry baked goods and foods, and unique, hand-made items and more.
You never know what you’ll find: organic produce, plants, bread, honey, eggs, coffee, skincare, etc. Get to know your growers, ask questions, and learn from their experience
Check out other local markets in the What’s What NPR Market Days Section
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