By Michele Miller
What’s What New Port Richey
September 1, 2024
Summer days are over and done with – at least when measured by local schoolkids who headed back weeks ago. Now, as the hot temps are set to subside a bit, is the time when outdoor activities gear up at area parks – hiking, paddling, stargazing, biking, and the Keep Pasco Beautiful Clean-up which happens on September 21 for those who want to sign up. Another way to make a difference is by signing up for the Stomp Out Suicide Trail Race on Satruday, September 28 in the scenic Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City. Master Gardener events and workshops are also on the agenda for those looking forward to sowing that fall garden. It’s just about time. Yay!
Quick Search
September 1- 7
September 8 – 14
September 15 – 21
September 22 – 30
Ongoing
Gardening
September 1 – 7
Pasco Audubon – Morning Birding Hike, 7:30 a.m. Saturday, September 7 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey
Meet at the Education Center for a 1 – 4 mile walk. Suggestions to bring and wear are water, sunscreen, suitable footwear for hiking in uneven terrain, and bug spray. For more info visit westpascoaudubon.com
Pasco Astronomers Star Gazing Event, 7 p.m. Saturday, September 7 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | Free
Try out some high-powered telescopes while viewing the night sky. The event is held several times throughout the year in the field near the entrance of the park. There typically is assistance with parking.
September 8 – 14
Pasco Audubon – Birding by Bike, 8 a.m. Sunday, September 8 at Booker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs
Meet at the Brooker Creek Preserve Parking lot, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs.
Pasco County Adventures | River Paddle, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, September 14 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City | Ages 13+ | $30.89
Learn about the freshwater ecosystem and wildlife during this 3-hour guided paddle. Kayaks and lifejackets are provided. Ages under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Register with Pasco County Parks here.
Historical Walking Tours, monthly at 6 p.m. Saturday, September 14, October 5, and October 19 at the West Pasco Historical Society in Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey | Free
Learn the stories behind the city’s historic buildings and get a glimpse into what life was like for its early citizens.
Concert in the Park with Supernatural – The Santana Experience, 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday, September 14 in Sims Park in downtown NPR | Free
Bring blankets and chairs for seating and enjoy the show.
Pasco County Parks Calendar of Events for September 2024
September 15 – 21
Pasco County Adventures with Art – Pine Needle Basket Weaving, Sunday, September 15 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey
This program fills up fast so register early with Pasco County Parks here. All supplies provided.
Pasco County Adventures – Food Foraging, 9 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 17 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | $3.09
Learn about edibles growing in the park on this naturalist-led hike. Register with Pasco County Parks here.
Pasco County Adventures – Bike the Night Away, 7 – 9: 30 p.m. Wednesday, September 18 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | $10.30 | Ages 13
Take a 14-mile bike ride along Suncoast Parkway and stop at various points along the paved trail to discuss the nature at Starkey. This ride is for experienced bikers who are comfortable riding for long distances. Helmets are required to be properly worn while riding (helmets will be provided if needed). Register with Pasco County Parks here.
NPR Library Riverside Concert Series with Yvonne Ramos, 6 p.m. Friday, September 20 at Sims Park in downtown NPR
Vocalist and entertainer Yvonne Ramos, originally from the Cape Verde Islands, brings a rich blend of cultural influences to her music. Her sound, deeply rooted in African traditions, incorporates elements of Latin, blues, Caribbean, and Flamenco styles. With her soulful voice and guitar, Yvonne creates music that crosses genres and delights audiences.
This performance will take place in the southwest corner of Sims Park, near the Grassin Bridge. Please feel free to bring your own camp chair or blanket for seating.
Pasco County Adventures – Night Hike, 7:30 – 9: 30 p.m. Friday, September 20 at Crews Lake Park in Spring Hill | Ages 10 + | $6.
Come see what nocturnal secrets await using black lights during this night hike. Limited Spaces. Ages 18 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult. Register with Pasco County Parks here.
Keep Pasco Beautiful Cleanup, Saturday, September 21 at various sites in Pasco County
Make a difference where you live by participating in the annual Keep Pasco Beautiful Cleanup. To register visit keeppascobeautiful.org
The cleanup will occur in multiple locations all around the county. While start and end times vary, the event will take place on the morning of Saturday, September 21st. Volunteers may register at public sites at the locations listed below:
- Holiday: Anclote Gulf Park; TAT Civic Association
- New Port Richey: Sims Park Boat Ramp; Green Key Road
- Port Richey: Pier Road
- Hudson: Hudson Beach
- Shady Hills: Crews Lake Park
- Land O’ Lakes: Rosebud Continuum
- Zephyrhills: New Walk Church
- Dade City: City of Dade City; Dade City River Road Trailhead
Pasco County Adventures – Back County Wet Walk, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, September 21 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park | Ages 13 + | $10.30
One of the most iconic ways to experience real Florida. Trailer out to the park’s backcountry to a beautiful stream that links the Anclote and the Pithlachascotee Rivers. Register with Pasco County Parks here.
September 22 -28
Pasco County Adventures – Flower Power Hike, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Sunday, September 22 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | All ages | $3.09
Embark on a guided Naturalist Hike to learn about the fall flowers blooming in the park. Ages under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Register with Pasco County Parks here.
Pasco County Adventures – Nature Photography Hike, 8-10:30 a.m. Friday, September 27 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey | $5.15
Grab your camera and meet at the corral for a 2-3 mile nature hike. Cameras are available to check out. Register with Pasco County Parks here.
Stomp Out Suicide Trail Race, Saturday, September 28 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City
Help raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention by signing up for a 1-mile walk or 5 – 10k race. To register or for more info visit runsignup.com/Race/FL/DadeCity/StompOutSuicide5KTrailRun
Suicide is a national health problem that currently ranks as the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10 – 24. Help spread awareness to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic.
The “Stomp Out Suicide” race is a shaded, scenic 10K, 5K, and 1-mile trail run/walk in the Withlacoochee River Park. A1 Ultra Events is proud to partner with Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, and Advent Health. Together we can stomp out suicide and “RECreate Your Mind.”
Community Bird Walk, 8 a.m. Saturday, September 28 at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday
Take a guided tour to view and learn about native and migratory birds. Access the Centennial Park Library event calendar.
Pasco County Adventures – Propagation Hike, 9 – 11 a.m. Sunday, September 29 at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park | All ages | $3.09
Learn how to identify and collect native plants along the nature trail that can be propagated. The hike will last about 1.5 – 2 hours. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bring water, bug spray, and sunscreen, and wear suitable footwear. Register with Pasco County Parks here.
Ongoing
New Port Richey Library Walk and Talk Club, 10 – 11 a.m. each Monday at the library in downtown NPR
Walk to different destinations around New Port Richey. Explore the city and make new friends, all while exercising. Walkers will be rewarded with NPR Public Library swag as they complete mileage milestones. The walk will begin and end at the New Port Richey Public Library courtyard.
Tasty Tuesdays Community Market, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. each Tuesday at the New Port Richey Library in downtown New Port Richey
Find locally sourced foods, sustainably grown produce, cottage-industry baked goods and foods, unique, hand-made items and more. Regular items include organic produce, plants, bread, honey, eggs, coffee, skincare, etc. Get to know your growers, ask questions, and learn from their experience.
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).
Centennial Scavenger Hunt, through October 27 in downtown New Port Richey
Take a self-guided walking tour and learn more about the City of New Port Richey through this historical Scavenger Hunt. Maybe stop along the way to shop, and enjoy a cool beverage, a meal, or a special ice cream or sweet treat.
Gardening Programs
9th Annual Okra Occasion, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, September 7 at the New Port Richey Library
Join in the fun while sharing the magic of okra – one of Florida’s forgotten summer vegetable treasures. There will be samples of delicious okra dishes, okra recipe books, okra seeds and maybe some fresh okra for sale by local growers. Come for the seasonal food and learn about sustainable living.
Recipe books for locally-grown produce, including okra recipe books, will be available for sale.
Master Gardener Programs held at various sites – mostly libraries – in Pasco County
Master Gardener programs are held at various locations – mostly libraries – in Pasco County. For more info visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco
- Succulents 101, 6 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 4 at the Hudson Regional Library in Hudson. Learn about the care and propagation of succulents- not just cactus! Discussion on an array of varieties of succulents, to be grown indoors and out.
- House Plants, 2 – 3 p.m. Tuesday, September 10 at the New River Library in Wesley Chapel. Everyone loves to have beautiful plants inside their homes. To help with this mission, come learn helpful tips to make your houseplants happy and healthy.
- New Port Richey Garden Club September Meeting, 12:30 p.m. special and 1 p.m. program on the Clean Water Act with speaker, Doris Carroll. Wednesday, September 11 at Faith Methodist Church, 12128 State Road 52, Hudson. All are welcome.
- Ask a Master Gardener | Cooking With Herbs, 9 – 10: 30 a.m. Saturday, September 14 at the Zephyrhills Public Library.
- Horticulture in Arts and Crafts, 2 – 3 p.m. Monday, September 16 at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday. Fruits and vegetables, flowers, and leaves all offer wonderful possibilities for art. In this free seminar, you will have the opportunity to create a stamped tea towel from nature.
- Bromeliads in Florida, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 17 at the New Port Richey Public Library. Come discover the bromeliads that grow and thrive in our Florida climate. This presentation provides an overview of the plants found growing naturally on trees: Spanish moss, ball moss, and tillandsia air plants. Parasitic plants vs epiphytic plants, lichen, bromeliads as houseplants, and in landscaping including growing pineapple are also briefly explored.
- Beekeeping, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wednesday, September 18 at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa. A sweet story of the process of a beekeeper tending to the bees as they collect nectar and pollinate flowers then collect the honey product.
- Houseplants, 9 – 10 a.m. Saturday, September 21 at Heritage Park in Land O’Lakes. Come learn about different types of houseplants and how to care for them, diagnose diseases and disorders, and keep plants in top shape.
- Compost Happens, 2 – 3 p.m. Thursday, September 26 at New River Library in Wesley Chapel. Turn your landscape debris into yard gold. Compost has many uses and benefits. It’s environmentally friendly, provides useful beneficial products to your yard, and is an excellent soil amendment. It can also be applied on top of soil as mulch. It’s easy for small and large landscapes.
- Winter Season Preparation for Pastures and Livestock, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Stable Faith Cowboy Church in Brooksville. UF/IFAS Extension Multi-County Livestock Agent, Laura Bennett, will present concepts to help you prepare for the Fall and Winter. Information on pasture management, planting winter annuals, purchasing hay, and winter supplementation will be discussed.
- Pollinators, Saturday, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. September 28 at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City. A successful pollinator container may include a variety of flowering plants that bloom throughout the growing season. It is an excellent way to enjoy the fragrance and see the visiting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds up close as they visit. Learn about containers, soils, plants, and cultural requirements so you can create the garden in the afternoon.
Sign up to have the biweekly What’s What New Port Richey newsletter delivered directly to your inbox.
Mark Your Calendar
Camping With the Blues, October 18 – 20 at the Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville
An abundance of blues music over three days and under the stars featuring some local/area bands such as Julie Black and T-Bone Hamilton. RV campsites tend to sell early get on it now. For tickets and info go to floridasandmusicranch.com/camping-with-the-blues
- Florida Winter Music Festival, November 7 – 10 at the Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville. Over 40 performers are scheduled. Single and Multi-Day passes are available. Hookup and primitive camping. For lineup and tickets visit www.foggylongbritches.com
- Sunshine Hootenany, November 21 – 23 at the Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville. The festival features a variety of classic rock, southern rock, bluegrass, reggae, tribute, and jam bands on two alternating stages over three days. Come for a day, or camp the whole weekend on the grounds of this amazing 80-acre wooded park. This is an all-ages event, so bring all your family and friends. For info and tickets visit sunshinehootenanny.com
- Thanksgiving Bluegrass Fest, November 28 – 30 at the Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville. For information, music lineup and tickets, visit floridasandmusicranch.com/thanksgiving-bluegrass
Be the first to comment