Save the Date: Pasco EcoFest Returns This November

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Sept. 29, 2014 - PRLog -- A seed of adventure, knowledge, and discovery has been planted in Pasco County. “Dig in and grow wild” is more than simply a catchy slogan. It’s an invitation for the public to join in the pursuit of conscious sustainability, community growth, and self-expression. It’s a call to pursue new interests by taking up a hobby, tasting new and exciting foods, embracing local culture, and meeting new people. So, we invite our Tampa Bay area community to give into their artistic whims, breathe the clean autumn air, indulge their inner explorers, and, by all means, “Dig in and grow wild!”

Pasco EcoFest 2014, a benefit for The Friends of the New Port Richey Library’s Art of Sustainability Program, is on the calendar for November 7, 8 & 9 this year providing a great opportunity for families and eco adventurers from Florida and beyond to experience Pasco County’s beautiful natural assets and learn about the grass-roots sustainability movement that is changing the culture of West Pasco County.

Friday, November 7 will consist of a kickoff party at Green Key Beach and an advanced night navigation workshop paddle with Ed Lawlor from Peace, Love, Paddle [https://www.facebook.com/PeaceLovePaddle] which will be ending at Green Key Beach for the festivities. Kayak rentals will be available, reservations must be made before the event.

The festival activities begin Saturday, November 8 and continue through Sunday, November 9 at Sims and Starkey Parks.  All activities are free to attend.

Organizers are still accepting:

EcoMarket Vendors: http://www.pascoecofest.com/pasco-ecofest-vendor-application

Sponsors: http://www.pascoecofest.com/sponsors

Volunteers: http://www.pascoecofest.com/volunteers

Event Overview (A full schedule will be available prior to the event at http://www.pascoecofest.com/event-schedule):

Geocaching – GeoFest has been a main component of Pasco EcoFest since the first year and it continues to be one of our most popular activities. Treasure hunters use GPS to locate caches hidden all around Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. There are several different competitions as well as workshops for kids and adults on Orienteering, creating caches and designing caches. For more details visit http://pascogeofest.org .

Kayaking – Guided Kayak paddles will take place Friday, Saturday & Sunday with Ed Lawlor from Peace, Love, Paddle leading the excursion. Ed is a highly experienced American Canoe Association (ACA) and British Canoe Union (BCU) certified Paddlesports Coach who will ensure all paddlers, regardless of experience level, have a fun and worry free adventure.  New this year: an advanced night navigation training session and paddle on Friday night ending at the kick-off party on Green Key Beach.

Education: Walks, Talks & Workshops - From soil blocking to pallet gardening, learn how you can easily begin “growing wild” in West Pasco. Educational walks focusing on mushrooms, edible plants and native wildlife will also be available. All walks and workshops are FREE to attend. Donations are appreciated.

Presenter Highlight:

“Jungle Jay” Hardman – A Prehistoric Perspective of Sustainability: Implications for Where We Are Now
Nathaniel Whitmore – Herbs, Edibles, and Mushrooms

Experience: Yoga, Bowls, Dance – New this year: Sunday will be a day of experience beginning with a group crystal bowl meditation led by Ronald Hays [www.theglobalpage.com]. Sunday also affords guests the opportunity to participate in free Yoga, Kids Yoga, and Tai Chi at Sims Park.

Entertainment: New this year:  WMNF 88.5 Community Radio will be sponsoring the music entertainment on Saturday. They will be broadcasting live from the Sims Park Band Shell.  In between bands event goers will be able to watch belly dance and hoop dance performances, there will even be several opportunities to participate in workshops.

Eco-Market: Sims Park. New this year: the EcoMarket will span both Saturday and Sunday. To give event goers the opportunity to “shift where you shop” the EcoMarket brings together regional growers, artisans and crafters of handmade, upcycled and educational wares. Talk to members of community organizations and learn about all of the exciting environmental, social and cultural happenings in Pasco County.

Eco-Feast: We are partnering with Big Storm Brewing Company, Pasco’s first micro-brewery. We’ll have the Big Storm Beer Tent set up in Sims Park. Food trucks and brew will be available Saturday, November 8, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Kids’ Activities: New this year: the Kids Zone is sponsored by The Tampa Times who will be donating completely bio-degradable, chemical free newspaper for kids crafts. Another new addition will be Yoga for Kids workshops.
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About The Friends of the New Port Richey Library Art of Sustainability Program

The Art of Sustainability, a year-long program designed to benefit residents of Pasco county, will enlighten, educate and inspire our community as together we explore the connection between the arts and a healthy planet and body.

We are seeking to inspire a year-long dialogue on both regional and worldwide ecological issues and the role of artists in building healthy communities. Visual artists, environmentalists, filmmakers, musicians, community leaders, culinary artists, and authors will join library employees in a year-long discovery of the relationship between art and ecology. We are seeking a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding would additionally be provided by a state grant, donations and in-kind contributions of volunteers, staff, artists, authors and other participants.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendofnprlibrary
Web: http://www.friendsofnprlibrary.org/

About Pasco EcoFest

The goal of Pasco EcoFest is to acquaint visitors with West Pasco’s burgeoning urban agriculture movement, introduce them to practical ways to build sustainable communities, enhance the local economy, and showcase the vast natural beauty of West Central Florida’s unique ecosystems.

This event is managed and operated entirely by volunteers and funded by the community. This year will mark the four year anniversary of the inaugural event. We do this because we’re incredibly proud of our innovative community and passionate about taking steps toward a brighter and more sustainable future. It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us to participate in something unique, invigorating, and beautiful.

This year’s event is developed by Kira and Kacey Atkinson and Lia Gallegos, a.k.a. Rock the Boat Productions, in partnership with Pasco County’s Tourist Development Council, and with the support of the Tampa Bay Times, WMNF 88.5 Community Radio, Tampa International Airport, Duke Energy and AT & T. A portion of profits from Pasco EcoFest will go directly to our host organization, Friends of the New Port Richey Library.