Main Street Blast Lights Up New Port Richey

Tampa Bay area residents who want to celebrate Independence Day a little early are invited to an old fashion, downtown celebration in New Port Richey.

The city’s 17th annual KIAFEST Main Street Blast is set to take place June 26-27. The festival features free concerts, a car show, kids’ games, food and beverages, vendors, a beer garden and fireworks.

The blast takes place throughout downtown where streets will be closed for the fun. The schedule of events is as follows with live music taking place on the main stage on Grand Boulevard:

Friday, June 26

• 5 p.m. – The event opens with the National Anthem
• 5 to 6:30 p.m. – Glad All Over Band
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. – The Bob Hope Band
• 9 to 10:30 p.m. – The Black Honkeys

Saturday, June 27

• Noon – The event opens and so do the food vendors, beer garden, arts and crafts, vendor exhibits and more. The food court will be located along Nebraska Avenue between Adams and Grand. More food can be found on Nebraska. Commercial vendors and crafters will set up along Grand Boulevard.
• 5 to 9 p.m. – Classic car and truck cruise-in on Main Street
• 2 p.m. – Trolley Pull
• 4 to 6 p.m. – The Velvet Jones Band
• 6 to 6:30 p.m. – Wikid watermelon eating contest. The cost is $5 to enter with signups available at the Wikid Watermelon booth on Grand.
• 6:30 p.m. – National Anthem
• 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Rod Stewart Experience featuring the Rick St. James band
• 8:15 to 9 p.m. – Draw the Line – Aerosmith Tribute Band
• 9:15 p.m. – Fireworks over Orange Lake (weather permitting)
• After fireworks until 10:30 p.m. – Draw the Line

For more information, visit New Port Richey Main Street online.

Image via Shutterstock