2017 KIAFest Main Street Blast: Fireworks, Music Times

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Tampa Bay area residents hoping to celebrate the Fourth of July a bit ahead of schedule will find New Port Richey intends to get its party started early. The city’s 18th annual Friendly KIAFest Main Street Blast is set to run Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1 in downtown’s Sims Park.

The festival is staged each year by New Port Richey Main Street and Friendly Kia. Designed to be a celebration “in true hometown style,” it features classic rock music, food, beverages, kids’ games, a beer garden and a display of military vehicles, among other attractions. The two-day event is free to the public and includes a fireworks show over Orange Lake, weather permitting, on Saturday.

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Here’s a breakdown of things folks might want to know before they go:

The Dates, Times And Location

KIAFest 2017 runs from 5 to 11 p.m. June 30, and from noon until 11 p.m. Saturday at Sims Park, which is on the corner of Grand Boulevard and Bank Street in New Port Richey.

Friday, June 30’s Schedule

• 5 p.m. – event opens with the National Anthem
• 5-6:30 p.m. – SPF 40 on the main stage at Sims Park
• 7-8:30 p.m. – Twinkle Rock-Soul Radio on the main stage at Sims Park
• 9-10:30 p.m. – Black Honkeys on the main stage at Sims Park

Saturday, July 1’s Schedule

• Noon – Even opens
• 1 p.m. – Live music begins
• 3-4:30 – Music of Santana/Eric Anderson Band
• 5-6:30 p.m. – Barefoot Bob & the Hope
• 7-8:30 p.m. – Natural Wonder
• 9-10:30 p.m. – Never Stop Believin’

Fireworks Schedule

According to the folks at Main Street, the fireworks show will begin shortly after dark on Saturday, July 1. The estimated start time is 8:30 p.m.

For more information about KIAFest, visit Main Street online.

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