Every spring, the heart of downtown New Port Richey comes alive with the sound of drums, the scent of street tacos and funnel cake, and the swirl of Native American heritage, pirate lore, jazz parades, and community pride. Welcome to the Chasco Fiesta, one of Florida’s oldest and most spirited festivals — part cultural tribute, part week-long block party, and part time machine.
What it is
The Chasco Fiesta is an annual, 10-day festival held in New Port Richey, a charming Gulf Coast town in Pasco County, just north of Tampa. Dating back to 1922, it began as a celebration of local Native American history (though with plenty of early 20th-century romanticism) and has since evolved into a dynamic celebration of Florida’s multicultural roots. Today, it blends tradition with spectacle: Native American powwows, boat parades, nightly concerts, carnival rides, and a full-on pirate invasion.
Held each year in March along the scenic banks of the Pithlachascotee River (locals call it the “Cotee”), the event draws tens of thousands of visitors. But despite the growing crowds, it still feels local — like something made by and for the people who call this eclectic corner of Florida home. Chasco Fiesta Official Site
History and Heart
The festival’s name comes from the legend of Princess Chasco, a young Native American woman married to a tribal leader in the region. While the tale is largely fictional — a pastiche of myths invented during the town’s booster days — it reflects an early 20th-century fascination with indigenous Florida, wrapped in pageantry and ritual. Over the years, the fiesta has grown to include genuine Native American arts, cultural performances, and one of the longest-running powwows in the Southeast.
The powwow, held in Sims Park, features drumming circles, traditional dances, storytelling, and craft demonstrations by tribal members from across the country. It’s one of the few chances in Florida to engage firsthand with Native cultural traditions in a respectful and celebratory setting.
What to See and Do
There’s no wrong way to approach the Chasco Fiesta — but there are definitely highlights not to miss.
1. The Street Parade
Marching bands. Dance teams. Pirate crews in full regalia tossing beads to squealing children. This daytime parade rolls through downtown New Port Richey with a kind of old-school charm that feels lifted from a Norman Rockwell painting — if Norman had a thing for parrots and rum.
2. Boat Parade on the Cotee River
One of the few remaining boat parades in Florida that happens by daylight and features elaborately decorated pontoons and skiffs cruising the Pithlachascotee. Pirate ships, mermaids, musicians — if it floats, it might show up.
3. Carnival and Fairgrounds
Think tilt-a-whirls, elephant ears, neon lights, and pop music blaring from speakers zip-tied to food trucks. It’s chaotic and joyful and best experienced with a stomach full of street tacos.
4. Concerts in Sims Park
Every night of the festival brings live music to the park’s riverside amphitheater. Acts range from jazz and blues to country and rock tribute bands. Bring a lawn chair and a cooler (yes, coolers are allowed — this is Florida).
5. Native American Village & Powwow
Centrally located in Sims Park, this area transforms into a living showcase of indigenous cultures. Expect authentic dance competitions, traditional regalia, drum circles, and conversations with artisans and elders. It’s not just a show — it’s cultural stewardship.
Food and Local Flavor
This is not the kind of festival where you’ll eat a sad hot dog and move on. Chasco Fiesta delivers on the culinary front, with local restaurants, food trucks, and nonprofit booths turning out everything from Cuban sandwiches and gator bites to craft brews and key lime pie.
Some highlights:
- Niko’s Place – Classic Greek fare, including souvlaki and baklava, served riverside.
- Gill Dawg Tiki Bar – Local seafood and cold drinks with views of the Cotee River. Gill Dawg
- Sip on Grand – A local wine and beer lounge with a front-row seat to the nightly festivities.
Why it Matters
Chasco Fiesta isn’t just a party — it’s a mirror. It reflects the layered, contradictory, and vibrant character of Florida itself. It’s a place where you can dance to a reggae band, watch a Native American hoop dancer, buy a pirate flag, and eat fry bread — all within a two-block radius.
In a state often caricatured for its extremes, Chasco shows the nuance: the community pride, the cultural intersections, and the importance of celebrating heritage — even when it’s messy, evolving, and sometimes mythologized.
The event is also a major fundraiser for local nonprofits, with proceeds supporting dozens of community organizations, from food banks to youth sports leagues.
Here’s What I’d Do:
Go on the first Saturday. Catch the street parade in the morning, grab lunch from a local vendor, and wander the Native American village in the afternoon. As sunset hits, settle into Sims Park with a drink and let the music take over. I once stayed for three encores at a local blues show while a family of ducks waddled across the lawn and a pirate in flip-flops passed out free hugs. It was, in a word, perfect.
Getting There + Official Site
New Port Richey is about 45 minutes northwest of Tampa via US-19. The downtown core near Sims Park is closed to cars during most of the festival. Use satellite parking lots and shuttle services.
Chasco Fiesta Official Website
Where to Stay
- Hacienda Hotel – A historic 1920s hotel that recently reopened after a major restoration. Spanish Revival architecture, modern comforts. Booking link
- Homewood Suites by Hilton (Port Richey) – Family-friendly and convenient. Booking
- Airbnbs in Downtown New Port Richey – Quaint bungalows and historic homes walkable to all festivities.
Where to Eat
- Caposey’s Whole Works Diner – Local legend for breakfast. Try the cinnamon roll pancakes.
- Whiskey River on the Water – Riverside dining with Florida staples. Bonus: you can dock a boat out front. Whiskey River
- Boulevard Beef & Ale – Elevated pub grub and friendly locals. Great for a pre-concert burger.
Conclusion
Chasco Fiesta is Florida distilled: loud, loving, layered, and full of soul. It honors cultures while creating new traditions. It brings strangers together under strings of lights and makes them neighbors by nightfall. Come for the tacos and the tunes. Stay for the feeling that, here at least, Florida still knows how to throw a party that means something.
