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Good Morning From Lutz,

We’ve got a pretty great weekend shaping up, even if those quick afternoon showers keep popping in and out. Honestly, we could use a few more of them with how dry things have been lately, but maybe we’ll take that after the weekend.

Easter events are starting to pop up all over, with egg hunts and bunny-themed everything around town. It’s one of those weekends where you’ll probably see a little bit of everything happening once you get out and about.

Hope you get a chance to enjoy it. Let’s take a look at what’s going on around town.

-Mike

Access local events three different ways:

Community Calendar
Full List of Events w/Links
Join our Facebook Events Group

Feel free to follow us on Instagram for more local updates.

Main Street Zephyrhills Founders Day Festival & Fish Fry
Zephyrhills Downtown Historic District
Saturday, March 28 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PM

This is one of those full-on hometown events that brings everyone out. You’ve got a parade, live music, a fish fry, car show, vendors, and plenty for the kids, all packed into downtown Zephyrhills. Easy one to spend a few hours at and just wander around.

Keystone Farmers Market Pop-Up Event
Keystone Farmers Market
Saturday, March 28 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

A local pop-up market is coming to Keystone with vendors, food, and plenty of community vibes. There are still a few vendor spots open if you’re looking to join, otherwise it’s an easy stop to browse, support local businesses, and spend a relaxed Saturday morning.

Bexley Market on the Lawn
Bexley Clubhouse, Land O’ Lakes
Saturday, March 28 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

A solid neighborhood market with a little bit of everything — local vendors, food, and a relaxed outdoor setup w/SWAG Kids Zone and fun activities. Easy one to walk, grab a bite, and let the kids burn some energy while you browse and hang out for a bit.

Pasco Veteran Fighting Online Crimes

Here’s a great neighbor to have on our side. Justin Gaertner, a Marine who lost both legs in a 2010 roadside bomb in Afghanistan, is now helping Homeland Security track down child exploitation cases across our area.

He works as a computer forensics analyst, examining phones, hard drives, and digital devices to uncover evidence tied to child exploitation and human trafficking cases. He’s even helped build cases against people in positions of trust, including a recent local investigation involving dozens of victims.

He’s also urging parents to stay involved, talk with your kids, monitor devices, and set clear boundaries, because as he puts it, nothing online is ever truly gone.

$500M Parks Plan Needs New Funding

This one’s worth paying attention to if you use local parks. Pasco leaders are looking at a major parks overhaul, with costs now estimated around $535–$550 million, and they’re exploring a new way to pay for it.

The idea is creating a dedicated parks tax (called an MSTU), which would set aside protected funding just for parks instead of competing with other county needs. Some commissioners support it as a long-term investment, while others point to rising costs and stalled projects as signs something has to change.

Right now, dozens of projects are in play across the county, but many are delayed or unfunded. Growth was supposed to help pay for them, but construction costs have surged, leaving a big gap between plans and reality.

Homes For Veterans Rising In Pasco

Really cool to see this happening locally. Two new specially adapted homes are now under construction in San Antonio for wounded veterans, thanks to Homes For Our Troops.

The mortgage-free homes are being built for retired Army Cpls. Eddie Ward and Roberto Cruz-Arocho, both injured in combat. Each home will include dozens of custom adaptations, and the project is being handled by Elizabeth Evans Custom Homes, which has built similar homes in Wesley Chapel.

New Farm Bill Aims to Protect Local Farms

There’s a new state law that could have a real impact on places like Land O’ Lakes. Ron DeSantis just signed a farm bill that makes the Farmers Feeding Florida program permanent, helping get fresh produce from farms to food banks across the state. The law is set to take effect in July.

It also focuses on keeping farmland from disappearing by converting suitable state land back into agriculture and making it more affordable for farmers. Local farmers say that part matters, especially as development continues to replace rural land.

Around here, farmers like those at Woodland Farms see it as a step in the right direction. They’ve called the bill “hope,” but also pointed out that farming is still expensive and getting harder to sustain, which is why many are leaving the industry.

A few other pieces in the bill:
• Prevents local bans on gas-powered farm equipment
• Adds loan repayment support for veterinarians who treat farm animals

One-Day Watering Starts April 3

Heads up, your watering schedule is about to tighten up. The Southwest Florida Water Management District is moving to stricter rules starting April 3, and it includes Pasco.

You’re now limited to one day per week, based on your address number, and only during these times:
• 12:01–4:00 AM or
• 8:00 PM–11:59 PM

This comes as the area sits about 14 inches below normal rainfall, with water levels already running low. Plan on this sticking around until the rainy season picks up in June.

TPA Using New Tech for Safety

After that tragic crash up in New York, it’s worth knowing Tampa International Airport is already ahead of the curve on this. Since 2024, TPA has been using a newer GPS-based system called ADS-B to better track planes and vehicles on the ground.

It gives air traffic controllers a much clearer, real-time view of what’s happening on the runway, helping prevent conflicts before they happen. TPA is also testing even newer Li-DAR technology, which can track movements on the tarmac with even more precision.

Food From The Soul Festival Saturday

If you’re looking for something different this weekend, this one brings a lot together. The 3rd Annual Food From The Soul Festival is happening March 28 from 10 AM to 4 PM, featuring a mix of global cuisine, food trucks, and local vendors.

There’s also live entertainment, shopping, and even a wine experience on-site. Tickets range from $20 to $125, and restaurants will be competing for prizes while you eat your way through it.

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to slide into our DM’s.

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