Kumquat Festival Celebrates 'Little Gold Gem' Of Citrus Industry

DADE CITY, FL — The 23rd Annual Kumquat Festival will be held Saturday, Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Downtown Dade City around Pasco County’s historic courthouse.

Sponsored by AdventHealth Dade City, the City of Dade City, Florida’s Sports Coast, Visit Florida and dozens of others local, regional and national sponsors, the festival has historically attracted more than 20,000 attendees including Florida residents from Tampa Bay and surrounding counties, winter residents, tourists and day trippers.

Festival admission, parking, shuttles and entertainment are free.

The festival celebrates the “little gold gem of the citrus industry” and Dade City’s status as home to the top kumquat and kumquat product producer in the U.S. since 1912, Kumquat Growers Inc.

Historic Downtown Dade City will be transformed into an open-air marketplace featuring local businesses, hundreds of specialty vendors and dozens of partner sponsors.

Those attending can enjoy kumquat pie, kumquat salsa and numerous kumquat recipe specialties.

Festival-goers can also shop for crafts and enjoy art displays. There will be local, live entertainment, a children’s activity area, a classic car show and craft Kumquat beer and wine, according to John Moors, executive director of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

“Once again, Dade City and Eastern Pasco County are preparing to welcome tens of thousands of residents and visitors to our area. It is our pleasure to produce this quality event, and we invite everyone to enjoy the festival and then come back and visit us again” said Moors.