Kayaking, Stargazing on Tap for EcoFest

Are you a nature lover? 

If so, you might want to take a short drive over the county line into West Pasco during EcoFest this November to get a taste of the area’s natural charms.

The 3rd annual Pasco EcoFest, which focuses on eco-tourism and environmentally friendly living, is offering up a bunch of fun activities this November for those who like to go wild in the great outdoors.

Planned activities at this year’s festival include bird watching, kayaking, native plant walks, stargazing, a vintage car show, a fashion photo shoot that features glamor made of garbage, live music, educational talks and workshops, hoop and belly dancing and drumming.

The event, which is free to attend, is scheduled for Nov. 8, 9 and 10 in Sims Park, at the corner of Main and Bank Streets in New Port Richey, and nearby J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey.

It’s accompanied this year by Pasco GeoFest, a geocaching event in Starkey Park Nov. 9 and 10.  GeoFest will have a  Hiker's Cache Hunt, Biker's Cache Hunt, Orienteering 101 Class, Four+ Challenge and Orienteering challenge where cacher’s try to find the mythic sword Excalibur. 

See the initial schedule for EcoFest below. Times are subject to change. Check the official website for updates.  Find out more about the GeoFest scheduleat the  GeoFest website and check back with Patch for it to appear here soon. 

Friday, Nov. 8 

Sims Park, corner of Main and Bank Streets in New Port Richey

5 p.m. Event, food and drink vendors open. Live music begins.

6:30 p.m. Twilight Yoga with Crystal Bowls

7:30 p.m. Tampa Taiko Performance

8:30 p.m. Drum Instruction with Tampa Taiko

8:45 p.m. Open Drum Circle

10 p.m Vendor tents ,VIP tents close

11 p.m. Event closes

Jay B Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey

6:30 p.m. Stargazing, night-time hay ride

9:30 p.m. Event closes

Saturday, Nov. 9

Sims Park

9 a.m. Local Volks by the Lake:  Registration opens for vintage VW Show & Swap Meet on Orange Lake, kayak paddles open

10 a.m. Food Vendors & Big Storm Brewing Co., Local Volks open

11 a.m. Workshops, EcoMarket, live music, kids crafts & games open

12 p.m. Trash-n-Fashion Photo Shoot

4 p.m. Local Volks by the Lake ends

4:30 p.m. Workshops end

5 p.m. EcoMarket, kids crafts & games end

6 p.m.  VIP Food Service Opens, Trash -n-Fashion Photo Shoot ends

11 p.m. Event closes

Jay B Starkey Wilderness Park

8 a.m.  Nature walks open

10 a.m. Birds of Prey,  education fair, workshops open

4 p.m.  Event closes

Sunday, Nov. 10

Sims Park

8:30 a.m.  Advanced Paddle: Sims Park to Durney Key

Jay B Starkey Wilderness Park

7:30 a.m.  Walks open

2 p.m. Event closes